Harry Hardwick has faced a long road to the UFC. Working in his dad’s café in Middlesbrough, the bright lights of Las Vegas seemed a distant dream.
“It’s not a sensible idea, pursuing MMA,” Hardwick admits.
In September 2025, on just five days’ notice, Hardwick made his UFC debut against Brazil’s Kaue Fernandes, more than a decade after his first professional fight. Unfortunately, he lost in the first round and left the octagon in a wheelchair.
Now 31, Hardwick gets a second chance to prove himself against undefeated Marwan Rahiki on Saturday at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas. He has completed a full camp and returns at his preferred featherweight.
A second defeat could end his UFC career, but Hardwick remains grateful for his journey. “I pinch myself because I’m very fortunate to be where I am,” he tells BBC Sport. “The harshest reality is that most dreams fail.”
A former Cage Warriors featherweight champion, Hardwick entered the UFC on the back of nine undefeated fights, including eight wins and one draw. Most of his career has been balanced with part-time jobs, including night shifts as a support worker and in his dad’s café.
In his early days, Hardwick often trained on no sleep while juggling night shifts. “A missed night of sleep can affect you for days, especially when your body is already broken down,” he says.
Hardwick lived with his parents in Middlesbrough for most of his career and bought his first house only last year with Cage Warriors earnings. He stresses his gratitude for their support.
He warns young fighters that MMA rarely leads to instant wealth. “Be prepared to live at your parents’ house until you’re 31,” he says. “Even with dreams of being a millionaire like Conor McGregor, most fighters face inconsistency and financial struggles.”
In 2020, Hardwick considered leaving fighting to coach full-time. But five years later, he pursued every opportunity, even flying to Abu Dhabi at his own expense for a chance at the UFC.
Despite the risks and financial instability, Hardwick calls MMA the best choice for him. “Those times in the gym, working hard, are some of the best times in my life,” he says. “While I’m healthy and can fight, I will.”
