NEW YORK – Two years ago, Heather Hardy crossed over from boxing, living out a dream in her MMA debut. In June of 2017 at Bellator NYC, “The Heat” picked up a TKO victory in front of the Madison Square Garden faithful.
Friday night at Bellator 222, Hardy (2-2 MMA, 2-2 BMMA) attempted to relive the moment. However, Tennessee’s Taylor Turner put an end to that in quick and dominating fashion with a first-round TKO finish.
The women’s catchweight fight was part of the preliminary card of Bellator 222 at Madison Square Garden.
From the opening bell, it was evident Turner (4-5 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) wasn’t phased by Hardy’s name or accomplishments in combat sports.
Smiling at Hardy during the opening exchanges, Turner was able to gain control on the ground early on in the fight. Swiftly passing to mount, Turner landed shot after shot on Hardy, who’s best attempt to fight back was an unsuccessful hammer-fist from the bottom.
After trying to sink in a rear-naked choke attempt from the back, Turner then returned to mount where she landed dozens of unanswered strikes to the New York boxer.
With Hardy unable to escape Turner’s wrath, referee Blake Grice had no choice but to step in and wave off the bout at 3:53 of Round 1.
In four MMA appearances, all with Bellator, Hardy has now alternated wins and losses.
Up-to-the-minute Bellator 222 results include:
- Taylor Turner def. Heather Hardy via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:53
- Adam Borics def. Aaron Pico via knockout (flying knee) – Round 2, 3:55
- Valerie Loureda def. Larkyn Dasch via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
- Lindsey VanZandt def. Rena Kubota via technical submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 4:04
- Haim Gozali def. Gustavo Wurlitzer via submission (triangle choke) – Round 1, 4:02
- Mike Kimbel def. Sebastian Ruiz via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 30-27)
- Robson Gracie Jr. def. Oscar Vera via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 3:15
- Marcus Surin def. Nekruz Mirkhojaev via split decision (30-27, 27-29, 29-27)
- Phil Hawes def. Michael Wilcox via TKO (doctor stoppage) – Round 1, 5:00
- John Beneduce def. Kenny Rivera via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
For complete coverage of Bellator 222, check out the MMA Events section of the site.
