Out of action since a career-first loss to Amanda Serrano in September 2019, former featherweight champ Heather Hardy will return to the ring atop an April 23rd all-women DiBella Entertainment event on UFC Fight Pass.
The 39-year-old “Heat” (22-1, 4 KO), a dabbler in MMA, claimed the WBO belt in 2018 in a successful rematch against Shelly Vincent. This set up a clash with Serrano, who wound up running roughshod over Hardy en route to a unanimous decision win. Now, she faces Canada’s Jessica Camara (7-2, 0 KO), last seen dropping a decision to former world title challenger Melissa St. Vil.
“When I got the call from Lou, I knew I had to get back in the gym,” said an excited Hardy, who also sports a 2-2 record in mixed martial arts. “I could never leave this game on a loss. I’m a bit bigger, but also older and wiser. 2021 is the Year of the Comeback!”
“Heather Hardy is a tremendous warrior, mother and ambassador of the sport. It’s going to be an exciting event and being the main event on this all-women’s card is an honor,” said Camara. “On April 23, ‘The Cobra’ is going to strike.”
St. Vil (13-4-4, 1 KO) herself co-headlines against TBA, looking to make it three straight since a 2019 stoppage loss to Delfine Persoon. In addition, 2019 world amateur silver medalist Mikiah Kreps (1-0, 1 KO) meets onetime Olympic hopeful Alex Love (3-0, 2 KO), former minimumweight queen Carina Moreno (25-7, 6 KO) fights recent Kim Clavel victim Natalie Gonzalez (6-1, 1 KO), and Stevie Coleman makes her pro debut.