Mohamed Itoumaine was refereeing at a Brazilian jiu-jitsu tournament last month in Wolverhampton, England.

"He said, 'Put me down, I'm coming,'" Itoumaine told ESPN.

Still, Itoumaine doubted Hardy would actually show up.

"He's a man of his word," Itoumaine said.

Andy Leatherland said there were some whispers that Hardy could compete at the UMAC after his surprise participation in Wolverhampton.

Leatherland said he made an error and Hardy jumped on his leg and got a straight leg lock submission.

He said considering his life is on stage he's fine with that, but jiu-jitsu is real and affects him just like everyone else.".

On Wednesday, the 45-year-old Hardy posted about his foray into Brazilian jiu-jitsu on Instagram, while also promoting REORG, which he wrote "encourages and enables veterans, active military, and first responders to use Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Physical Fitness Training as a form of therapy to overcome physical and mental challenges, strengthen social connection, and improve overall health and well-being.".

"Simple training, for me (as a hobby and a private love) has been fundamentally key to further develop a deeper sense of inner resilience, calm and well being," Hardy wrote about Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Afterward, Appleton said he chatted with Hardy, who told him how tight the cross-collar choke was and that he would come and train with him at Gracie Barra Middlesborough in the future

"I think he's in for a long run," Itoumaine said