That didn't go to plan for Bellator.
Huge things were expected of Heather Hardy, the undefeated pro boxer who chose to give mixed martial arts a go earlier this year and got through her debut unscathed in June.
But Hardy suddenly finds herself with a professional MMA record of 1-1 after suffering an absolute battering at Bellator 185 on Friday night.
'The Heat' was expected to coast to victory against opponent Kristina Williams, who was making her debut, but things rarely go to plan in MMA.
https://twitter.com/CentralFoxBR/status/921562886291574785
Williams dominated Hardy in their flyweight meeting, leaving the unbeaten boxer's face in absolute tatters with a thudding kick.
Hardy's nose immediately started gushing blood and matters weren't helped when another shin clattered against her face later in the second round.
https://twitter.com/Jonnyboy_6969/status/921562180939603968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bjpenn.com%2Fmma-news%2Fheather-hardy%2Fbellator-185-results-kristina-williams-smashes-heather-hardys-nose-video%2F
The cageside doctor had seen enough punishment on the 35-year-old's face and called for the stoppage with two minutes gone in the middle round.
https://twitter.com/FoxSportsBrasil/status/921562303484510208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bjpenn.com%2Fmma-news%2Fheather-hardy%2Fbellator-185-results-kristina-williams-smashes-heather-hardys-nose-video%2F
A crestfallen Hardy took to Instagram the morning after her crushing defeat to apologise to her fans and vow to return to action before long and prove what she's capable of.
She's tough stuff!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BagotC1BY7X/?hl=en&taken-by=heathertheheat
