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

Early life

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 aptitude for the discipline, earning her black belt by the age of twelve. She also pursued training in other disciplines such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Karate, and Kickboxing. As Venezuela faced political and economic turmoil, her family decided to move to Poland in search of better living conditions. There, Veronica continued her training on various martial arts. The move ultimately led to her pursuing a career in mixed martial arts (MMA).

Over the next few years, she continued to train in various disciplines, such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Taekwondo, and Muay Thai.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

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

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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

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

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

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

Hardy was scheduled to face Amanda Lemos on December 21, 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 23. 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. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hardy faced Brogan Walker on October 4, 2025 at UFC 320. She won the fight by unanimous decision.

Personal life

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

Championships and awards

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
16 matches10 wins5 losses
By knockout11
By submission21
By decision73
Draws1
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Win10–5–1Brogan WalkerDecision (unanimous)UFC 320October 4, 202535:00Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss9–5–1Eduarda MouraDecision (unanimous)UFC 309November 16, 202435:00New York City, New York, United States
Win9–4–1JJ AldrichDecision (unanimous)UFC on ESPN: Lewis vs. NascimentoMay 11, 202435:00St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Win8–4–1Jamey-Lyn HorthDecision (split)UFC on ESPN: Dariush vs. TsarukyanDecember 2, 202335:00Austin, Texas, United States
Win7–4–1Juliana MillerDecision (unanimous)UFC 286March 18, 202335:00London, England
Loss6–4–1Bea MaleckiDecision (unanimous)UFC Fight Night: Lee vs. OliveiraMarch 14, 202035:00Brasília, BrazilBantamweight bout.
Win6–3–1Polyana VianaSubmission (armbar)UFC Fight Night: Shevchenko vs. Carmouche 2August 10, 201911:09Montevideo, UruguayPerformance of the Night.
Loss5–3–1Gillian RobertsonSubmission (rear-naked choke)UFC Fight Night: Błachowicz vs. SantosFebruary 23, 201923:27Prague, Czech Republic
Loss5–2–1Andrea LeeDecision (unanimous)UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. UsmanMay 19, 201835:00Santiago, ChileFlyweight debut. Fight of the Night.
Loss5–1–1Ashlee Evans-SmithTKO (elbows)UFC Fight Night: Arlovski vs. BarnettSeptember 3, 201632:46Hamburg, Germany
Draw5–0–1Irén RáczDraw (majority)Innferno FC 2August 18, 201635:00Kufstein, Austria
Win5–0Karine GevorgyanSubmission (heel hook)Mix Fight Events 23July 8, 201631:23La Nucia, SpainCatchweight (139 lb) bout.
Win4–0Valérie DomergueDecision (unanimous)HIT-FC 2May 28, 201635:00Zürich, Switzerland
Win3–0Lilla VinczeTKO (punches)Ladies Fight Night 2April 1, 201612:15Łódź, PolandBantamweight debut.
Win2–0Camilla HinzeDecision (split)Trophy MMA 8March 26, 201635:00Malmö, SwedenCatchweight (132 lb) bout.
Win1–0Anne MerktDecision (unanimous)We Love MMA 20March 12, 201635:00Munich, GermanyCatchweight (139 lb) bout.
Amateur record breakdown
2 matches2 wins0 losses
By knockout20
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Win2–0Chrissy AudinKO (head kick)Say Uncle Fight Night 2October 11, 201410:24Sheffield, England
Win1–0Angela DanzigTKO (head kick and punches)MMA Battle Arena: Team USA vs. Team UKSeptember 27, 201421:15Leicester, England

See also

External links