Josh Watson’s spectacular knockout of former NFL star and UFC fighter Greg Hardy has made waves in the combat sports world. The 40-year-old Watson, who is currently a bar worker in Las Vegas, has been fighting competitively for over 16 years.
On February 18th, Watson scored a spectacular knockout of Hardy in Albuquerque, NM, and his name has been on everyone’s lips since. Watson was not expecting to be in the spotlight, but he is enjoying the attention it has brought him. Watson’s UFC matchmaker Joe Silva had previously told him that if he dropped to middleweight and won a fight, he’d get a shot in the UFC. However, with life getting in the way, Watson never got that chance.
But his victory over Hardy has given Watson a new sense of vindication. He was always aware of Hardy’s background and the opportunities that he was given due to his name and status. Now, with this win, Watson feels like he’s achieved something special.
Watson admits that he has one fight left in his body, and he’s hoping that will be a dream come true “ride off in the sunset” retirement fight. He’s hoping that either Las Vegas or Massachusetts will pass Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) so that he can have a fight either at home in Portland, Maine or in Vegas in front of his friends and family.
Until then, Watson is back to work in the bar industry in Las Vegas, with a smile on his face and maybe a few more broken bones. But it’s all worth it, for the chance to prove himself and make a name for himself.
