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NFL

Sources: Ex-NFLer Hardy sets pro MMA debut

The UFC will take a serious look at signing former NFL defensive lineman Greg Hardy to an exclusive contract this summer.

Hardy, 29, has booked a heavyweight fight on June 12, on the “Dana White Tuesday Night Contender Series,” sources said. It will mark Hardy’s professional MMA debut. He has posted an amateur record of 3-0.

The DWTNCS consists of a handful of live fights in Las Vegas. White, along with UFC matchmakers Sean Shelby and Mick Maynard, offer at least one multifight deal with the UFC at the conclusion of each episode.

Greg Hardy hasn’t played football since 2015. He has won all three of his amateur MMA fights via first-round knockout. Steve Nurenberg/Icon Sportswire

According to sources, Hardy will face Brandon Sayles (5-1) in the first episode of the upcoming season, which UFC officials have not formally announced. MMA Today first reported the news.

Hardy hasn’t played football since 2015. He was arrested in 2014 after allegedly assaulting his ex-girlfriend. A domestic violence case against him was eventually dropped and expunged from his record. He pleaded guilty to an unrelated misdemeanor drug charge in 2016.

Hardy (0-0) fights out of American Top Team, in Coconut Creek, Florida. He has won all three of his amateur MMA fights via first-round knockout.

Soccer

Marcelo wasn't worried about reliving Barcelona's failure

Real Madrid defender Marcelo was relieved to avoid the same outcome as La Liga rival Barcelona after Wednesday’s thrilling Champions League quarter-final triumph over Juventus.

A day after Barcelona was knocked out of the Champions League when Roma overturned a first leg defeat with a decisive 3-0 victory in Italy, Serie A leader Juventus nearly repeated a similar remarkable comeback until a stoppage-time penalty ultimately secured Real Madrid’s place in the semi-finals.

Marcelo admitted Barcelona’s stunning elimination was on his mind, but insisted his belief in Real Madrid’s ability to progress never wavered.

“What happened to Barcelona wasn’t going to happen to us because we’re Real Madrid,” he said, as translated by Marca.

“I said ‘imagine the same thing happening to us?'” he added, according to ESPN FC

“… We believed we could score a goal that would help us go through the round and we did it.

While Barcelona is on the verge of winning La Liga for the third time in four seasons, Real Madrid will have to get past either Roma, Liverpool, or Bayern Munich for a chance to win its third consecutive Champions League trophy.