{{short description|Venezuelan mixed martial arts fighter}} {{Infobox martial artist | name = Veronica Hardy | other_names = | image = | image_size = | alt = | caption = | birth_name = Veronica Macedo | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1995|10|30|df=y}} | birth_place = Caracas, Venezuela | death_date = | death_place = | death_cause = | residence = | nationality = | height = {{height|ft=5|in=3}} | weight = {{convert|125|lb|kg st|abbr=on}} | weight_class = Flyweight | reach_in = 64 | reach_footnote = <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ufc.com/athlete/veronica-macedo|title=Veronica Macedo {{!}} UFC|website=www.ufc.com|date=14 September 2018 |language=en|access-date=2019-02-24}}</ref> | style = | stance = | fighting_out_of = New York City, New York, U.S. | team = Hardy-Wallhead MMA | trainer = | rank = | years_active = 2016–Present | box_win = | box_kowin = | box_loss = | box_koloss = | box_draw = | box_nc = | kickbox_win = | kickbox_kowin = | kickbox_loss = | kickbox_koloss = | kickbox_draw = | kickbox_nc = | mma_kowin = 1 | mma_subwin = 2 | mma_decwin = 7 | mma_koloss = 1 | mma_subloss = 1 | mma_decloss = 3 | mma_draw = 1 | mma_nc = | am_win = 2 | am_kowin = 2 | am_loss = 0 | relatives = | university = | school = | url = | boxrec = | sherdog = 180217 | footnotes = | updated = }}
'''Veronica Hardy''' ({{nee|'''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).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Veronica Macedo: Nie mówię po polsku, ale czuję się tu jak w domu [WYWIAD] |url=https://www.sport.pl/inne/7,102005,23190685,veronica-macedo-nie-mowie-po-polsku-ale-czuje-sie-tu-jak-w.html |access-date=2023-03-21 |website=Sport.pl |date=26 March 2018 |language=pl}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2018-09-14 |title=Five months, six fights - no problem for Macedo {{!}} UFC |url=https://www.ufcespanol.com/news/five-months-six-fights-no-problem-macedo |access-date=2023-03-21 |website=www.ufcespanol.com |language=es}}</ref>
Over the next few years, she continued to train in various disciplines, such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Taekwondo, and Muay Thai.<ref name=":0" />
==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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fight24.pl/veronica-macedo-vs-ashlee-evans-smith-na-ufc-fight-night-93/|title=Veronica Macedo vs. Ashlee Evans-Smith na UFC Fight Night 93 {{!}} FIGHT24.PL - MMA i K-1, UFC|access-date=2019-02-24}}</ref> She lost the fight via technical knockout in round three.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2016/09/video-watch-ashlee-evans-smith-drop-hellacious-elbow-bombs-on-veronica-macedo-for-tko|title=Watch how Ashlee Evans-Smith took out Veronica Macedo with nasty elbows at UFC Fight Night 93|date=2016-09-03|website=MMAjunkie|language=en|access-date=2019-02-24}}</ref>
Hardy faced Andrea Lee on May 19, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 129.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2018/02/26/multiple-fights-targeted-ufcs-debut-santiago-chile/|title=Multiple Fights Targeted for the UFC's Debut in Santiago, Chile, Including Debut of KGB Lee|date=2018-02-26|work=Cageside Press|access-date=2018-02-26|language=en-US}}</ref> She lost the fight by unanimous decision.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2018/05/ufc-fight-night-129-results-andrea-lee-debuts-in-style-shuts-out-veronica-macedo|title=UFC Fight Night 129 results: Andrea Lee debuts in style, shuts out Veronica Macedo|date=2018-05-20|work=MMAjunkie|access-date=2018-05-20|language=en-US}}</ref> This fight earned her the Fight of the Night bonus.<ref name="auto">{{Cite news|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2018/05/ufc-fight-night-129-bonuses-early-finishes-among-50000-winners|title=UFC Fight Night 129 bonuses: Early finishes among $50,000 winners|date=2018-05-20|work=MMAjunkie|access-date=2018-05-20|language=en-US}}</ref>
Hardy faced Gillian Robertson on February 23, 2019 at UFC Fight Night 145.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2019/1/29/18202174/veronica-macedo-vs-gillian-robertson-announced-for-ufc-prague|title=Veronica Macedo vs. Gillian Robertson announced for UFC Prague|last=Lee|first=Alexander K.|date=2019-01-29|website=MMA Fighting|access-date=2019-02-19}}</ref> She lost the fight via submission in the second round.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2019/02/ufc-prague-results-gillian-robertson-sticks-with-game-plan-chokes-veronica-macedo-in-second|title=UFC Prague results: Gillian Robertson sticks with game plan, chokes Veronica Macedo in second|date=2019-02-23|website=MMAjunkie|language=en|access-date=2019-02-24}}</ref>
Hardy was scheduled to face Rachael Ostovich on August 10, 2019 at UFC Fight Night 156.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2019/6/14/18679241/tecia-torres-vs-marina-rodriguez-among-7-fights-announced-for-ufc-card-in-uruguay|title=Tecia Torres vs. Marina Rodriguez among 7 fights announced for UFC card in Uruguay|last=Martin|first=Damon|date=2019-06-14|website=MMA Fighting|access-date=2019-06-15}}</ref> However, it was announced on July 29, 2019 that Ostovich was replaced by Polyana Viana for undisclosed reason.<ref name="MacedoVViana">{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2019/7/29/20746280/rachael-ostovich-laureano-staropoli-rafael-fiziev-out-ufc-uruguay|title=Rachael Ostovich, Laureano Staropoli and Rafael Fiziev out of UFC Uruguay|last=Cruz|first=Guilherme|date=2019-07-29|publisher=mmafighting|access-date=2019-07-30}}</ref> Hardy won the fight via a submission in round one.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2019/08/10/ufc-uruguay-results-veronica-macedo-submits-polyana-viana/|title=UFC Uruguay Results: Veronica Macedo Submits Polyana Viana in Round One for First UFC Win|last=Harshman|first=Heath|date=2019-08-10|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-10}}</ref> This win earned her the ''Performance of the Night'' award.<ref name="ESPN+ 14">{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmanews.com/ufc-uruguay-bonuses-attendance-revealed/|title=UFC Uruguay Bonuses & Attendance Revealed • MMA News|author=Fernando Quiles Jr.|date=2019-08-11|publisher=mmanews.com|access-date=2019-08-11}}</ref>
Hardy was scheduled to face Amanda Lemos on December 21, 2019 at UFC Fight Night 165.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sportv.globo.com/site/combate/noticia/amanda-lemos-retorna-ao-ufc-contra-veronica-macedo-em-dezembro-na-coreia-do-sul.ghtml|title=Amanda Lemos returns to UFC against Veronica Macedo in December in South Korea|author= Adriano Albuquerque|website=sportv.globo.com|date=2019-10-05|access-date=2019-10-05}}{{in lang|pt}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Marcedo">{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2019/11/6/20952536/veronica-macedo-steps-in-to-fight-ariane-lipski-at-ufc-sao-paulo|title=Veronica Macedo steps in to fight Ariane Lipski at UFC Sao Paulo|author=Alexander K Lee|date=2019-11-06|website=MMA Fighting|access-date=2019-11-07}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Isabelladepandu">{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2019/11/ariane-lipski-vs-isabella-de-padua-ufc-sao-paulo-veronica-macedo-withdraws|title=Ariane Lipski gets new opponent for UFC Sao Paulo after Veronica Macedo forced to withdraw|date=2019-11-15|publisher=mmajunkie|author=Farah Hannoun |access-date=2019-11-15}}</ref>
Hardy faced Bea Malecki on March 14, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 170.<ref name="3bouts">{{Cite web|url=https://mmadna.nl/de-ufc-bevestigd-drie-nieuwe-gevechten-voor-ufc-brasilia-incl-potentiele-1-contender-gevecht/|title=De UFC bevestigd drie nieuwe gevechten voor UFC Brasilia (incl. potentiële #1 contender gevecht)|last=DNA|first=MMA|date=26 December 2019 |language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-27}}</ref> She lost the fight via unanimous decision.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2020/03/14/ufc-brasilia-results-veronica-macedo-vs-bea-malecki/|title=UFC Brasilia Results: Bea Malecki Outlasts Game But Exhausted Veronica Macedo|last=Anderson|first=Jay|date=2020-03-14|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-15}}</ref>
After the bout, Hardy retired from MMA due to concussion issues.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cruz |first=Guilherme |date=2020-03-14 |title=VIDEO: Veronica Macedo details 'heartbreaking' fight cancelations after concussion, UFC Brasilia return |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/3/14/21175723/veronica-macedo-heartbreaking-fight-cancelations-concussion-ufc-brasilia-bea-malecki |access-date=2023-01-13 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}}</ref>
After over three years since her last bout, Hardy returned on March 18, 2023 at UFC 286 against Juliana Miller.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-13 |title=Veronica Macedo returns from retirement, meets 'TUF 30' winner Juliana Miller at UFC 286 in London |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/01/ufc-286-london-veronica-macedo-out-of-retirement-vs-juliana-miller-women-mma-fight-booking-matchup-announcement |access-date=2023-01-13 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}}</ref> She won the fight by unanimous decision.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2023/03/18/ufc-286-juliana-miller-vs-veronica-hardy/|title=UFC 286: Juliana Miller has no answer for returning Veronica Hardy|website=Cageside Press|author=Jay Anderson|date=2023-03-18|access-date=2023-03-18}}</ref>
Hardy faced Jamey-Lyn Horth on December 2, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 52.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martinez |first=Diego |date=2023-09-16 |title=Veronica Hardy vs. Jamey-Lyn Horth agendado para el 2 de diciembre - MMA AL DÍA |url=https://www.mmaaldia.com/jamey-lyn-horth-vs-veronica-hardy-en-diciembre/ |access-date=2023-11-03 |language=es}}</ref> She won the fight via split decision.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jay |date=2023-12-02 |title=Veronica Hardy Survives Late Surge by Jamey-Lyn Horth, Wins Decision at UFC Austin |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2023/12/02/veronica-hardy-survives-late-surge-by-jamey-lyn-horth-wins-decision-at-ufc-austin/ |access-date=2023-12-03 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}</ref>
Hardy faced JJ Aldrich at UFC on ESPN 56 on May 11, 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Iskenderov |first1=Parviz |title=JJ Aldrich vs Veronica Hardy among fights confirmed for UFC St. Louis in May |url=https://www.fightmag.com/jj-aldrich-vs-veronica-hardy-among-fights-confirmed-for-ufc-st-louis-in-may/ |work=FIGHTMAG |date=5 April 2024}}</ref> She won the fight by unanimous decision.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jay |date=2024-05-11 |title=UFC St. Louis: Veronica Hardy Survives Late Surge by JJ Aldrich, Claims Decision |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2024/05/11/ufc-st-louis-veronica-hardy-survives-late-surge-by-jj-aldrich-claims-decision/ |access-date=2024-05-11 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}</ref>
Hardy faced Eduarda Moura on November 16, 2024 at UFC 309.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2024/8/31/24233081/veronica-hardy-to-fight-eduarda-moura-at-ufc-309|title=Veronica Hardy to fight Eduarda Moura at UFC 309|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Alexander K. Lee|date=2024-08-31|access-date=2024-08-31}}</ref> She lost the fight by unanimous decision.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2024/11/16/veronica-hardy-unable-to-puzzle-out-eduarda-moura-in-ufc-309-opener/|title=Veronica Hardy Unable to Puzzle Out Eduarda Moura in UFC 309 Opener|publisher=cagesidepress.com|author=Jay Anderson|date=2024-11-16|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref>
Hardy faced Brogan Walker on October 4, 2025 at UFC 320.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fightmag.com/ufc-320-fight-card-eight-fights-confirmed/|title=UFC 320 fight card: Eight bouts confirmed|publisher=fightmag.com|author=Parviz Iskenderov|date=2025-08-05|access-date=2025-08-05}}</ref> She won the fight by unanimous decision.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2025/10/04/ufc-320-veronica-hardy-proves-better-in-standup-sails-past-brogan-walker/|title=UFC 320: Veronica Hardy Proves Better in Standup, Sails Past Brogan Walker|publisher=cagesidepress.com|author=Staff|date=2025-10-04|access-date=2025-10-04}}</ref>
Hardy is scheduled to face Dione Barbosa on July 18, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 281.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.si.com/fannation/mma/news/ufc-returning-oklahoma-city-ufc-fight-night-10-year-wait|title=UFC reportedly returning to city for UFC Fight Night after nearly 10-year wait|publisher=si.com|author=Drew Beaupre|date=2026-04-20|access-date=2026-04-21}}</ref>
== Personal life == Hardy married former UFC fighter Dan Hardy on December 25, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-29 |title=Veronica Macedo, ex-UFC title challenger Dan Hardy celebrate Christmas wedding |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/veronica-macedo-marries-dan-hardy-christmas-wedding-photos-ufc-women-mma |access-date=2022-12-29 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Championships and awards== === Mixed martial arts === *'''Ultimate Fighting Championship''' **Fight of the Night (One time) {{small|vs. Andrea Lee}}<ref name="auto"/> **Performance of the Night (One time) {{small|vs. Polyana Viana}}<ref name="ESPN+ 14" />
==Mixed martial arts record== {{MMArecordbox | draws=1 | nc= | ko-wins= 1 | sub-wins= 2 | dec-wins= 7 | ko-losses= 1 | sub-losses= 1 | dec-losses= 3 | dq-wins= | dq-losses= | other-wins= | other-losses= }} {{MMA record start}} |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|{{nowrap|10–5–1}} |Brogan Walker |Decision (unanimous) |UFC 320 |{{dts|2025|October|4}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center|9–5–1 |Eduarda Moura |Decision (unanimous) |UFC 309 |{{dts|2024|November|16}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |New York City, New York, United States | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|9–4–1 |JJ Aldrich |Decision (unanimous) |UFC on ESPN: Lewis vs. Nascimento |{{dts|2024|May|11}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |St. Louis, Missouri, United States | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|8–4–1 |Jamey-Lyn Horth |Decision (split) |UFC on ESPN: Dariush vs. Tsarukyan |{{dts|2023|December|02}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Austin, Texas, United States | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|7–4–1 |Juliana Miller |Decision (unanimous) |UFC 286 |{{dts|2023|March|18}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |London, England |{{small|}} |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center|6–4–1 |Bea Malecki |Decision (unanimous) |UFC Fight Night: Lee vs. Oliveira |{{dts|2020|March|14}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Brasília, Brazil |{{small|Bantamweight bout.}} |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center| 6–3–1 |Polyana Viana |Submission (armbar) |UFC Fight Night: Shevchenko vs. Carmouche 2 |{{dts|2019|August|10}} |align=center|1 |align=center|1:09 |Montevideo, Uruguay |{{small|Performance of the Night.}} |- | {{no2}}Loss | align=center| 5–3–1 | Gillian Robertson | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC Fight Night: Błachowicz vs. Santos | {{dts|2019|February|23}} | align=center| 2 | align=center| 3:27 | Prague, Czech Republic | |- | {{no2}}Loss | align=center| 5–2–1 | Andrea Lee | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Usman | {{dts|2018|May|19}} | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | Santiago, Chile | {{small|Flyweight debut. Fight of the Night.}} |- | {{no2}}Loss | align=center| 5–1–1 | Ashlee Evans-Smith | TKO (elbows) |UFC Fight Night: Arlovski vs. Barnett | {{dts|2016|September|3}} | align=center| 3 | align=center| 2:46 | Hamburg, Germany | |- | {{draw}}Draw | align=center| 5–0–1 | Irén Rácz | Draw (majority) | Innferno FC 2 | {{dts|2016|August|18}} | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | Kufstein, Austria | |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center| 5–0 | Karine Gevorgyan | Submission (heel hook) | Mix Fight Events 23 | {{dts|2016|July|8}} | align=center| 3 | align=center| 1:23 | La Nucia, Spain |{{small|Catchweight (139 lb) bout.}} |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center| 4–0 | Valérie Domergue | Decision (unanimous) | HIT-FC 2 | {{dts|2016|May|28}} | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | Zürich, Switzerland | |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center| 3–0 | Lilla Vincze | TKO (punches) | Ladies Fight Night 2 | {{dts|2016|April|1}} | align=center| 1 | align=center| 2:15 | Łódź, Poland |{{small|Bantamweight debut.}} |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center| 2–0 | Camilla Hinze | Decision (split) | Trophy MMA 8 | {{dts|2016|March|26}} | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | Malmö, Sweden |{{small|Catchweight (132 lb) bout.}} |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center| 1–0 | Anne Merkt | Decision (unanimous) | We Love MMA 20 | {{dts|2016|March|12}} | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | Munich, Germany |{{small|Catchweight (139 lb) bout.}} |- {{end}} <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Veronica-Macedo-180217|title=Veronica Macedo MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com|last=Sherdog.com|website=Sherdog|access-date=2019-12-26}}</ref>
{{MMA amateur record box | draws= | nc= | ko-wins= 2 | ko-losses= | sub-wins= | sub-losses= | dec-wins= | dec-losses= | dq-wins= | dq-losses= | other-wins= | other-losses= }} {{MMA record start}} |- | {{yes2}}Win |align=center| 2–0 | Chrissy Audin | KO (head kick) | Say Uncle Fight Night 2 | {{dts|2014|October|11}} |align=center| 1 |align=center| 0:24 | Sheffield, England | |- | {{yes2}}Win |align=center| 1–0 | Angela Danzig | TKO (head kick and punches) | MMA Battle Arena: Team USA vs. Team UK | {{dts|2014|September|27}} |align=center| 2 |align=center| 1:15 | Leicester, England | |- {{end}} <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Veronica-Macedo-180217|title=Veronica Macedo MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com|last=Sherdog.com|website=Sherdog|access-date=2019-12-25}}</ref>
== See also ==
* List of current UFC fighters * {{Portal-inline|Venezuela}}
==References== {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{UFC|veronica-macedo}} * {{Sherdog|180217}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Macedo, Veronica}} Category:1995 births Category:Living people Category:Venezuelan female taekwondo practitioners Category:Portuguese female taekwondo practitioners Category:Venezuelan female karateka Category:Portuguese female karateka Category:Venezuelan practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu Category:Portuguese practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu Category:Female Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners Category:Portuguese female mixed martial artists Category:Venezuelan female mixed martial artists Category:Bantamweight mixed martial artists Category:Flyweight mixed martial artists Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing taekwondo Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing karate Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship female fighters Category:Martial artists from Caracas Category:Venezuelan people of Portuguese descent Category:21st-century Portuguese sportswomen