Greg Hardy dropped Hasim Rahman Jr on his way to a convincing points win on his boxing debut.
The former NFL star and UFC fighter stepped in at short notice to take on professional. boxer Rahman Jr, son of the former heavyweight world champion of the same name. Rahman Jr had been due to take on former UFC star Vitor Belfort but instead faced a 94lb weight discrepancy against Hardy.
It was the smaller man who made the better start, however, as he used his speed to out-box the 320lb Hardy. But the former Dallas Cowboy found his rhythm in the second round to drop Rahman Jr against the ropes. A second knockdown should have been called in the third round when only the ropes kept Rahman Jr on his feet.
But Hardy was content to see out the four-round fight, winning the bout 39-36 on all three judges' scorecards to earn victory on his debut on the Misfits Boxing series. Here are the winners and results from the rest of the card...
Deen The Great vs Walid Sharks
Deen The Great came from behind to stop Walid Sharks in a back-and-forth war. After a close opening round, Walid Sharks dropped his rival twice in the second round to put himself in an almost unassailable lead.
But Deen The Great refused to wilt as he roared back in the third round to drop Walid Sharks with a right hand. The challenger was able to rise to his feet but then turned his back, forcing the referee to wave off the fight. "I didn't really feel it, but at the end of the day respect to him for getting in the ring, no-one wanted it," said the winner.
Josh Brueckner vs Chase DeMoor
Josh Brueckner came out on top after two rounds when Chase DeMoor quit on his stool. Actor and former American footballer DeMoor came out swinging from the first bell but showed little skill in the process. And it was clear in the second session that he wanted no more to do with Brueckner, and maybe fighting full stop.
DeMoor appeared to spit out his mouthguard before turning his back on his opponent - and bizarrely complaining when he was hit to the back of the head. The referee asked DeMoor if he wanted to continue - he claimed he did, but then quit on his stool after the second three-minute period. The DAZN commentator then claimed DeMoor had said he was seeing three Brueckners in the ring.
King Kenny vs DK Money
King Kenny finally finished a fight without controversy tonight when he viciously knocked out American Tik Tok star DK Money to defend his cruiserweight title.
The hometown fighter had cut over two stone to make weight for the fight after ballooning in weight during the year, but it took it out of him and he looked miles off the pace on fight night. Kenny's training under his brother Daley Perales showed in abundance and he landed a first round knockout to retain his ICB international cruiserweight title.
Now, he is keen to go for another belt against fellow Brit Jay Swingler as he continues his boxing journey. His Beta Squad cast-mates including Niko Omilana were in attendance for tonight's fight, and are pushing for him to get another belt around his waist in his next Misfits Boxing outing.
FaZe Temperrr vs Overtflow
Temperrr wanted to get back in the ring quickly after being knocked out by Slim Albaher back in August, but he was back out again within seconds when he landed a one-shot KO on fellow gamer Overtflow.
The pair were friends going into the bout, and had both been training for years in various martial arts. But the size difference proved too much for Overtflow who couldn't handle a straight right from the Brazilian Faze clan leader and went down within just 20 seconds.
There will be a number of big fights out there for Temperrr in the coming months after three clashes in 2022, but he is focused on earning a rematch with Albaher.
Brandon Buckingham vs Ice Poseidon
It was a war of attrition for as long as Ice Poseidon's battle with Brandon Buckingham lasted, and the deciding factor was who could take a punch better.
Ultimately, Buckingham's history of combat in jiu-jitsu, wrestling and muay-thai allowed him to handle the nerves of the occasion better and land the first round stoppage. Ice Poseidon was game for the challenge and landed some big shots of his own, even showboating with a little mid-fight dance.
But it was Buckingham who had more behind his work and when he rocked his rival he didn't let up, chasing him around the ring and forcing the stoppage towards the end of the first round. He is keen to fight Sneako or Andrew Callaghan next after lengthy battles with the social media stars.
Minikon vs Nick Joseph
Tik Tok star Minikon got a DQ win in his first professional fight against a much more difficult opponent than he was expecting in Nick Joseph.
The heavyweight duo had a scrappy but hard-hitting clash to open the card, but Minikon's activity and boxing experience showed against the more powerful Joseph. He had gone the distance earlier this year with Armz Korleone, losing a controversial decision in the UK, and had another controversial stoppage against NBA legend Nick Young back in September.
The social media sensation struggled early with his rival's weight, but ultimately his skills began to show and with just over a minute remaining the bout was called off for illegal holding on Joseph's end.
