Hardy came into the contest looking to continue the undefeated start to his professional mixed martial arts career and register a big win on his octagon debut.

But he found himself dragged into deep waters by a gritty performance from Crowder, who survived an early onslaught from Hardy and took him into the second round for the first time in his career.

And after Hardy stuffed a Crowder takedown attempt, the former NFL star connected with a huge knee on the grounded fighter, who clearly had one knee down on the canvas.

It forced referee Dan Miragliotta to stop the contest and disqualify Hardy when it became apparent Crowder was in no position to continue.

And fans and media queued up on social media to criticise Hardy after his disqualification defeat.

Sports reporter Jon Alba tweeted: "Hopefully, that's the last we see of Greg Hardy in #UFC octagon. Embarrassing."

The media in the arena reported that the crowd showed their disgust at Hardy's actions, by chanting: "Asshole!" at him as he left the octagon following his controversial fight.

Reporter Drea Blackwell was notably unsurprised, tweeting: "Greg Hardy did something trashy? Imagine that."

Tweeter @MacMallyMMA took aim at Hardy's past when he tweeted: "Greg Hardy just said he didn't know the shots he landed on his ex girlfriend were illegal, either."