Veronica Hardy (née Macedo; born October 30, 1995) is a Venezuelan mixed martial artist (MMA) who competes in the women's Flyweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Veronica Hardy
BornVeronica Macedo
(1995-10-30) 30 October 1995 (age 29)
Caracas, Venezuela
Height5 ft 3 in (1.60 m)
Weight125 lb (57 kg; 8.9 st)
DivisionFlyweight
Reach64 in (163 cm)[1]
Fighting out ofNottingham, England
TeamHardy-Wallhead MMA
Years active2016–Present
Mixed martial arts record
Total15
Wins9
By knockout1
By submission2
By decision6
Losses5
By knockout1
By submission1
By decision3
Draws1
Amateur record
Total2
Wins2
By knockout2
Losses0
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Early life

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Growing up in a family with a passion for martial arts, Veronica's early life was immersed in a culture that fostered her love for the sport. Veronica began training in Taekwondo at the age of four and quickly demonstrated exceptional talent, earning her black belt by the age of twelve. A dedicated and disciplined student, she also pursued training in other disciplines such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Karate, and Kickboxing. As Venezuela faced political and economic turmoil, the Macedo family decided to move to Poland in search of a better life. In this new environment, Veronica was exposed to different styles of martial arts and continued her training. The move ultimately led to her finding her true passion—mixed martial arts (MMA).[2][3]

Over the next few years, she continued to hone her skills in various disciplines, such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Taekwondo, and Muay Thai.[3]

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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Before joining the UFC, Veronica Hardy had a professional MMA record of 5-0-1. She competed in various regional promotions in Europe. Her impressive performance on the regional circuit caught the attention of the UFC, which led to her signing with the promotion in 2016.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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Hardy faced Ashlee Evans-Smith on September 3, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 93.[4] She lost the fight via technical knockout in round three.[5]

Hardy faced Andrea Lee on May 19, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 129.[6] She lost the fight by unanimous decision.[7] This fight earned her the Fight of the Night bonus.[8]

Hardy faced Gillian Robertson on February 23, 2019 at UFC Fight Night: Błachowicz vs. Santos.[9] She lost the fight via submission in the second round.[10]

Hardy was scheduled to face Rachael Ostovich on August 10, 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 14.[11] However, it was announced on July 29, 2019 that Ostovich was replaced by Polyana Viana for undisclosed reason.[12] Hardy won the fight via a submission in round one.[13] This win earned her the Performance of the Night award.[14]

Hardy was scheduled to face Amanda Lemos on December 21, 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 23.[15] However, her bout with Amanda Lemos was cancelled and she was scheduled to face Ariane Lipski on November 16, 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 22, replacing Priscila Cachoeira who was tested positive for a diuretic.[16] In turn Hardy was not cleared to fight by the Brazilian athletic commission due to severe headaches one day before the fight was taken place and she was replaced by newcomer Isabella de Padua.[17]

Hardy faced Bea Malecki on March 14, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 170.[18] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[19]

After the bout, Hardy retired from MMA due to concussion issues.[20]

After over three years since her last bout, Hardy returned on March 18, 2023 at UFC 286 against Juliana Miller.[21] She won the fight by unanimous decision.[22]

Hardy faced Jamey-Lyn Horth on December 2, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 52.[23] She won the fight via split decision.[24]

Hardy faced JJ Aldrich at UFC on ESPN 56 on May 11, 2024.[25] She won the fight by unanimous decision.[26]

Hardy faced Eduarda Moura on November 16, 2024 at UFC 309.[27] She lost the fight by unanimous decision.[28]

Personal life

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Hardy married former UFC fighter Dan Hardy on December 25, 2022.[29]

Championships and awards

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Mixed martial arts

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
15 matches 9 wins 5 losses
By knockout 1 1
By submission 2 1
By decision 6 3
Draws 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 9–5–1 Eduarda Moura Decision (unanimous) UFC 309 November 16, 2024 3 5:00 New York City, New York, United States
Win 9–4–1 JJ Aldrich Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Lewis vs. Nascimento May 11, 2024 3 5:00 St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Win 8–4–1 Jamey-Lyn Horth Decision (split) UFC on ESPN: Dariush vs. Tsarukyan December 2, 2023 3 5:00 Austin, Texas, United States
Win 7–4–1 Juliana Miller Decision (unanimous) UFC 286 March 18, 2023 3 5:00 London, England
Loss 6–4–1 Bea Malecki Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Lee vs. Oliveira March 14, 2020 3 5:00 Brasília, Brazil Bantamweight bout.
Win 6–3–1 Polyana Viana Submission (armbar) UFC Fight Night: Shevchenko vs. Carmouche 2 August 10, 2019 1 1:09 Montevideo, Uruguay Performance of the Night.
Loss 5–3–1 Gillian Robertson Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Błachowicz vs. Santos February 23, 2019 2 3:27 Prague, Czech Republic
Loss 5–2–1 Andrea Lee Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Usman May 19, 2018 3 5:00 Santiago, Chile Flyweight debut. Fight of the Night.
Loss 5–1–1 Ashlee Evans-Smith TKO (elbows) UFC Fight Night: Arlovski vs. Barnett September 3, 2016 3 2:46 Hamburg, Germany
Draw 5–0–1 Irén Rácz Draw (majority) Innferno Fighting Championship 2 August 18, 2016 3 5:00 Kufstein, Austria
Win 5–0 Karine Gevorgyan Submission (heel hook) Mix Fight Events 23 July 8, 2016 3 1:23 La Nucia, Spain Catchweight (139 lb) bout.
Win 4–0 Valérie Domergue Decision (unanimous) Hit Fighting Championship 2 May 28, 2016 3 5:00 Zürich, Switzerland
Win 3–0 Lilla Vincze TKO (punches) Ladies Fight Night 2 April 1, 2016 1 2:15 Łódź, Poland Bantamweight debut.
Win 2–0 Camilla Hinze Decision (split) Trophy MMA 8: Easter Bash 2 March 26, 2016 3 5:00 Malmö, Sweden Catchweight (132 lb) bout.
Win 1–0 Anne Merkt Decision (unanimous) We Love MMA 20 March 12, 2016 3 5:00 Munich, Germany Catchweight (139 lb) bout.

[30]

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 2–0 Chrissy Audin KO (head kick) Say Uncle 2 October 11, 2014 1 0:24 Sheffield, England
Win 1–0 Angela Danzig TKO (head kick and punches) MMA Battle Arena: Team USA vs. Team UK September 27, 2014 2 1:15 Leicester, England

[31]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Veronica Macedo | UFC". www.ufc.com. 14 September 2018. Retrieved 2019-02-24.
  2. ^ "Veronica Macedo: Nie mówię po polsku, ale czuję się tu jak w domu [WYWIAD]". Sport.pl (in Polish). 26 March 2018. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
  3. ^ a b "Five months, six fights - no problem for Macedo | UFC". www.ufcespanol.com (in Spanish). 2018-09-14. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
  4. ^ "Veronica Macedo vs. Ashlee Evans-Smith na UFC Fight Night 93 | FIGHT24.PL - MMA i K-1, UFC". Retrieved 2019-02-24.
  5. ^ "Watch how Ashlee Evans-Smith took out Veronica Macedo with nasty elbows at UFC Fight Night 93". MMAjunkie. 2016-09-03. Retrieved 2019-02-24.
  6. ^ "Multiple Fights Targeted for the UFC's Debut in Santiago, Chile, Including Debut of KGB Lee". Cageside Press. 2018-02-26. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
  7. ^ "UFC Fight Night 129 results: Andrea Lee debuts in style, shuts out Veronica Macedo". MMAjunkie. 2018-05-20. Retrieved 2018-05-20.
  8. ^ a b "UFC Fight Night 129 bonuses: Early finishes among $50,000 winners". MMAjunkie. 2018-05-20. Retrieved 2018-05-20.
  9. ^ Lee, Alexander K. (2019-01-29). "Veronica Macedo vs. Gillian Robertson announced for UFC Prague". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2019-02-19.
  10. ^ "UFC Prague results: Gillian Robertson sticks with game plan, chokes Veronica Macedo in second". MMAjunkie. 2019-02-23. Retrieved 2019-02-24.
  11. ^ Martin, Damon (2019-06-14). "Tecia Torres vs. Marina Rodriguez among 7 fights announced for UFC card in Uruguay". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2019-06-15.
  12. ^ Cruz, Guilherme (2019-07-29). "Rachael Ostovich, Laureano Staropoli and Rafael Fiziev out of UFC Uruguay". mmafighting. Retrieved 2019-07-30.
  13. ^ Harshman, Heath (2019-08-10). "UFC Uruguay Results: Veronica Macedo Submits Polyana Viana in Round One for First UFC Win". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-08-10.
  14. ^ a b Fernando Quiles Jr. (2019-08-11). "UFC Uruguay Bonuses & Attendance Revealed • MMA News". mmanews.com. Retrieved 2019-08-11.
  15. ^ Adriano Albuquerque (2019-10-05). "Amanda Lemos returns to UFC against Veronica Macedo in December in South Korea". sportv.globo.com. Retrieved 2019-10-05.(in Portuguese)
  16. ^ Alexander K Lee (2019-11-06). "Veronica Macedo steps in to fight Ariane Lipski at UFC Sao Paulo". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2019-11-07.
  17. ^ Farah Hannoun (2019-11-15). "Ariane Lipski gets new opponent for UFC Sao Paulo after Veronica Macedo forced to withdraw". mmajunkie. Retrieved 2019-11-15.
  18. ^ DNA, MMA (26 December 2019). "De UFC bevestigd drie nieuwe gevechten voor UFC Brasilia (incl. potentiële #1 contender gevecht)". Retrieved 2019-12-27.
  19. ^ Anderson, Jay (2020-03-14). "UFC Brasilia Results: Bea Malecki Outlasts Game But Exhausted Veronica Macedo". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-03-15.
  20. ^ Cruz, Guilherme (2020-03-14). "VIDEO: Veronica Macedo details 'heartbreaking' fight cancelations after concussion, UFC Brasilia return". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
  21. ^ "Veronica Macedo returns from retirement, meets 'TUF 30' winner Juliana Miller at UFC 286 in London". MMA Junkie. 2023-01-13. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
  22. ^ Jay Anderson (2023-03-18). "UFC 286: Juliana Miller has no answer for returning Veronica Hardy". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  23. ^ Martinez, Diego (2023-09-16). "Veronica Hardy vs. Jamey-Lyn Horth agendado para el 2 de diciembre - MMA AL DÍA" (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-11-03.
  24. ^ Anderson, Jay (2023-12-02). "Veronica Hardy Survives Late Surge by Jamey-Lyn Horth, Wins Decision at UFC Austin". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
  25. ^ Iskenderov, Parviz (5 April 2024). "JJ Aldrich vs Veronica Hardy among fights confirmed for UFC St. Louis in May". FIGHTMAG.
  26. ^ Anderson, Jay (2024-05-11). "UFC St. Louis: Veronica Hardy Survives Late Surge by JJ Aldrich, Claims Decision". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-05-11.
  27. ^ Alexander K. Lee (2024-08-31). "Veronica Hardy to fight Eduarda Moura at UFC 309". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2024-08-31.
  28. ^ Jay Anderson (2024-11-16). "Veronica Hardy Unable to Puzzle Out Eduarda Moura in UFC 309 Opener". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  29. ^ "Veronica Macedo, ex-UFC title challenger Dan Hardy celebrate Christmas wedding". MMA Junkie. 2022-12-29. Retrieved 2022-12-29.
  30. ^ Sherdog.com. "Veronica Macedo MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved 2019-12-26.
  31. ^ Sherdog.com. "Veronica Macedo MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved 2019-12-25.
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