Matt Riddle conducted one of the greatest UFC post-fight presser interviews of all-time after UFC 149 in 2012, calling out Dan Hardy and British people in general. Four years later and a change of career, Riddle still has it out for Hardy.
While Riddle did get to fight in England following his UFC 149 promo, it was against Che Mills, as Dan Hardy had discovered he had Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome. Riddle, who is now a rather successful professional wrestler competing for EVOLVE, took a chance to call out Dan Hardy over the controversial statements made by Conor McGregor regarding WWE wrestlers.
@dragonsfighter @lokesh1092 Conor can’t beat people who only get 2 weeks to train for a fight, he’s a mutt just like @danhardymma was a mutt
— matthew riddle (@riddletuf7) August 8, 2016
Hardy responded by bringing up a comment that Riddle made years prior, that contributed to Riddle being canned from the UFC.
@riddletuf7 @dragonsfighter @lokesh1092 didn’t you once say that you smoked weed so you didn’t beat your kids?
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) August 8, 2016
It’s worth noting Riddle was joking when he made the statement, but it doesn’t appear as if he’s joking with Hardy now.
@danhardymma @ufc you’re hilarious bro,I still remember you dodging me at Drysdale’s because you knew I’d work you #overrated #bro
— matthew riddle (@riddletuf7) August 8, 2016
@danhardymma I’ll be in England in December maybe I’ll bring you a gift #pain
— matthew riddle (@riddletuf7) August 8, 2016
When a fan brought up that Riddle’s failed drug tests were for week, the now-broadcaster Hardy said went back to his original point.
Not at all. He said he smokes so he doesn’t beat his kids… I remember that #EpicFail very clearly. https://t.co/PHAA7nMG20
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) August 8, 2016
Dan Hardy also criticized Riddle for being a ‘fake’ pro wrestler now, which didn’t seem to bother Riddle.
@danhardymma ok dude keep telling yourself that, and I will keep wrestling it’s awesome, like I said I’ll be in England in December later
— matthew riddle (@riddletuf7) August 8, 2016
@iglesiasmai @danhardymma @barbacoafarts @ufc it’s called sarcasm guys, and Dan you’re scared and it’s ok #bro pic.twitter.com/mr1H9EUhzP
— matthew riddle (@riddletuf7) August 8, 2016
There were some more golden nuggets from this back-and-forth too, with Hardy trashing Riddle for no longer being a UFC fighter, calling him a ‘loser.’
Didn’t you used to be a @UFC fighter? Still a full-time prick though eh? How’s life as a loser? https://t.co/CzAHgZQt1l
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) August 8, 2016
You sound like a cheesy pro-wrestler. I’m surprised they even allow you a passport. Are you coming with the circus? https://t.co/61tfnF5G3B
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) August 8, 2016
When journalist Jonathan Snowden challenged Hardy’s notion that failing a test for marijuana negated Riddle’s wins, Hardy wasn’t too thrilled.
What’s the issue @JESnowden? He signed a contract to fight clean and he didn’t. That’s it. It is as black and white as that.
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) August 8, 2016
I agree, but that’s not the debate. Thanks for your 2 cents, but it’s largely irrelevant. https://t.co/HXw4xvAT9m
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) August 8, 2016
It seems like Dan Hardy got a little too heated. Currently, Matt Riddle is among the most acclaimed independent wrestlers working, and has garnered WWE interest in the past. While perhaps not as glorious as the world of the UFC, Riddle is doing fine for himself. Not only that, but Riddle openly challenged Hardy when he’s in England in December. Riddle has learned the art of working someone, and Dan Hardy appears to have been #GottenTo.
Fightful.com declares Matt Riddle the winner of this edition of Fighting Words.
