Still undefeated at 4-0 and with a future many pundits in the industry would label as very bright, Hardy doesn’t intend for this first defense to be nothing more than a speed bump for him on his way to bigger and better things.
We recently caught up with the champ to discuss his mindset leading up to his first defense.
SCC 3 Pre-Fight Interview – Jeremy “Nightmare” Hardy
Jeremy, first of all tell us a little bit about how you became SCC champion. What was your championship fight like in there?
I fought Tim Buchanan out of Zion MMA for the belt. I was told he was supposed to be a huge challenge for me seeing as I’m kind of the new kid on the block and he had way more experience than I do. The fight didn’t go as planned per say because we ended up on the ground but I was able to pull off the armbar and secure the victory and the heavyweight title. So I was pretty happy. Since that fight, i have been dedicated more to my overall training and skillsets and dieting and losing weight, hopefully to change weight classes in the near future.
So you’re a title holder now and 4-0. How else would you describe yourself to the average fan?
I feel like i am a very humble person. I’m just a normal guy trying to live out his dreams. As a fighter, O want to be the best. I strive for perfection and to be one of the best martial artist ever to step foot in this sport. In the end, i want to be remembered for being an entertaining fighter and hopefully UFC champ.
What’s your mindset like in that regard?
My current mindset would have to be one of a man on a mission. When I started out in this sport O had my eyes set on making it to the big show (UFC) so therefore I will not stop until that mission is complete. I compete in this for the simple fact that it is a sport of love for me. It’s hard for me to picture myself doing anything other than this. This sport is a true passion close to my heart and i feel i have the potential to make it to the top.
What’s been your greatest challenge so far regarding “making it” in MMA?
My greatest challenge so far would have to be time management. Simply put, there aren’t enough hours in the day. I work throughout the day, teaching karate, and then in the evening is when i finally focus on my own training along with trying to make as much time for my kids as possible. It can be very taxing at times, but luckily i have a huge support system behind me so I’m able to get done what needs to get done.
Do you have a most memorable moment – in training or competition?
My most memorable moment I would have to say would be hugging my mom after I won my belt. She hates the fact that I do this type of sport and it doesn’t help that my daughter also loves it and she wants her to be a girly-girl so bad, but my daughter wants to be like daddy which is perfect in my eyes. But that was the first fight that she had ever been to and it meant a lot to me and is something I definitely won’t be forgetting.
So now you’re set to defend your title for the first time. How do you feel about that?
My buddy Jacob Silva has a saying that “you aren’t truly a champion until you defend your belt” and that is a saying I repeat to myself every day. This defense means a lot. This will show that I’m the real deal. Not just another fighter who once held a belt. This will show that i truly am a champion.
What do you know about your opponent – Eric Lunsford?
guy is literally a ghost. No videos, photos, nothing. That or O need to work on my Google search skills. All I know and care to know is that he is coming to take what I have worked hard to earn and I’m not letting that happen. From the little I hear, he is supposed to be a standup guy and everybody knows that’s what I like to do so it should be a very entertaining fight. But if it so happens to go to the ground, I’m ready to take it there also. Will be very fun and explosive fight in my opinion. So don’t blink.
Have you changed anything up in training for this fight in particular?
Training hasn’t changed much. I always focus on cardio and technique. I have implemented weight training and a diet into this camp – that’s something I didn’t really focus on before. As far as my training partners go, I don’t cross train very much just for the simple fact that I train with one of the baddest former champions in the Houston area in Master Eric Loveless. Plainly put, this dude breaks 4 bats at a time with his bare shins. If I can take a whooping from him, nobody else can hurt me.
How do you see this fight playing out? Any predictions?
I don’t like making predictions for my fights because as everybody knows, in MMA, anything can happen. But one thing i will say is that i didn’t work this hard to lose. So I for sure see my hand being raised in the end and that belt going back home with me.
If you had to give last words to your opponent before the fight, what would you tell him?
To my opponent, be ready for war.
What’s next for you after this fight? Any last words?
After this fight, I do have major plans. But i can’t let that news out just yet.
I would like to say thank you to my lord Jesus Christ for always watching over me through this career path that i chose, i would like to also thank my sponsors, bloodhound, serene touch massage, Furia Fightwear, Contender Sports Bar in Galveston, smoothie king in Dickinson, SCC, Stephen Lawhorn for giving me the opportunity to be the champ, my training partners, especially Jon love, we have a lot of battles in training, my friends, family, and coaches both past and present. Thank you TXMMA and Mike Calimbas for the interview. Everyone go buy tickets and pack the house to watch some amazing up and comers. Thanks.