Once a highly-touted British prospect in terms of mixed martial arts, Dan 'The Outlaw' Hardy in recent years has turned his attention to commentary and punditry duties for organisations such as the UFC, Polaris and BT Sport.
Today however, the 25-10 Welterweight has started a brand-new and highly exciting role with the Professional Fighters League.
Chronicle Live can exclusively reveal that the 40-year-old talent has joined PFL Europe as their new Director of Fighter Operations, and will be busy scrambling up and down the country looking for fresh, new talent to compete with the popular combat sports promotion.
Speaking to Chronicle Live about the role, Dan said: "My job will be to source talent, to be scouring the European gyms and events and trying to find the news stars for next year - and bringing them onto the roster, helping them onto the roster and integrating them into the PFL family as best as I can.
"Answering any questions for them and you know, basically helping them understand what's expected of them as a PFL fighter, and what opportunity is in front of them. That's the biggest thing for me. European fighters have always struggled with consistent opportunities.
"When an opportunity lands on the table it might be one fight, and that fight might lead to another opportunity. But if you get signed to the PFL roster, we're gonna keep you busy. There are plenty of shows coming up, this year's probably going to be the quietest of all of them - and as we start rolling we're going to need lots and lots of talent, lots and lots of fighters.
"And it'll be my job to find them and to bring them to the PFL European roster."
One of the bigger events on the schedule for the PFL comes in the form of an event at Newcastle's Vertu Motors Arena come March 25, kicking off the first ever European tour for the promotion. It's few and far between that big name fighting promotions will visit the North East in general - with the UFC not returning since 2008 and Bellator more recently in 2019.
But Dan believes that it's a special opportunity not only for the local fighters filling the card, but also for the mixed martial arts fans across the region. He added: "I don't think people are going to be quite ready for it.
"I think people have got a concept of what and MMA show is going to be like, and they've got a rough idea because they've seen a UFC fight and stuff - but the PFL production is incredible. When you walk into that arena, you'll feel like you're in a show and that you're going to be given something special on the night.
"The card is absolutely stacked - Lewis Monarch, Kenneth Bergh - all the way up to the top where we've got Dakota and Simeón, local stars are being born. There's so much talent on this card, the production value on it is incredible, the tickets are more than affordable as well compared to other organisations around the world."
Dan also mentioned that the North East has became a hotbed for up and coming talent for youngsters competing, and that the fan base is also incredible. He added: "It's an amazing opportunity, especially because most of the time big shows don't make it that far north. A lot of the time, those fighters would have to be travelling down to London and hope their fan base will travel down with them."
Dan continued: "The North East has always had great fighter you know, Cal Pacino/Ellenor is a real talent, Ross Pearson from back in the day as well - one of my old teammates, a really tough talent. Ian Freeman, 'The Machine' - his performance against Frank Mir at UFC 38 was one of the most inspiring that I've ever experienced.
"This is the thing, if you're a local fighter and you're from the North East and you get to fight on this Newcastle card and get a big finish, you get that moment where you're sitting on the cage or you're walking around the arena with your hands in the air with your fan base right there cheering for you.
"It's a special opportunity to be able to fight at home, and for the PFL to be bringing such a big event to the area as well, and giving these fighters the opportunity to perform on it - it's going to be amazing. I'm excited for them.
"I'm excited to witness it, but to be on the card - I mean, it gives me Goosebumps thinking about it from back in my days as a fighter."
PFL Newcastle takes place Saturday March 25, at the Vertu Motors Arena in Newcastle. You can get tickets for the show from £10, here.
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