Greg Hardy has been awarded a contract with the UFC after scoring a first-round knockout in his professional MMA debut Tuesday night.

Hardy, 29, knocked out Austen Lane (2-0) in just 57 seconds in their heavyweight bout.

"It's awesome news," Hardy said. "I get an opportunity to show what I've got, go back and work hard and come back even better than before. It's exciting. It's everything I could ask for.

"I just want to get back in the ring. Whatever show it is, I just want another opportunity to fight. Man, I'm having the time of my life and really enjoying it."