Former Ole Miss DE Greg Hardy (2007-09) is stepping away from football to pursue a career in mixed martial arts according to MMAFighting.com.

“I’m very focused and excited to start my MMA career,” Hardy told the website. “I’m going to do this the right way, I can assure you of that.”

The site reports that Hardy, 28, has been training the past few months in the Dallas-Forth Worth area. He currently weighs 285 pounds and looks to fight in the heavyweight ranks in 2017. The former Rebels defensive end played with the Dallas Cowboys in 2015 after five seasons with the Carolina Panthers.

Lately, Hardy, who played in the 2013 Pro Bowl, has generated more headlines for his off-the-field issues than his play on the field. He was suspended for 10 games last season by the NFL for domestic violence and was arrested last month for possession of cocaine.