The UFC prides itself on being a paragon of professionalism in the MMA world. It has worked hard to elevate the sport of mixed martial arts beyond the status of an underground sensation associated with street fighting and freakshow elements.Today, MMA is covered by major sports outlets like ESPN. UFC fighters are regarded as professionals with a lifetime of martial arts expertise.Unfortunately, even the UFC has not outgrown the need to sign uncanny figures to the promotion in an effort to either generate interest in a potential matchup or to capitalize on the said figure's popularity. While MMA has indeed come far, it still struggles to occupy the same niche as more globally renowned sports.Perhaps, in an effort to win over untapped markets and sway those who still hold mixed martial arts in low regard, Dana White has made countless attempts at signing certain, out-of-place, public figures. Former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar is a prime example, signing with the UFC after only one professional bout.With recent news of social media star Hasbulla Magomedov signing with the UFC, this list looks at him and 4 of the strangest signings in the promotion's history.#5. Greg HardyAt first glance, it's difficult to understand exactly why the UFC signed Greg Hardy and was so adamant about keeping him in the promotion for as long as it did. Hardy's checkered past rendered him a reviled figure in the sports world and outside of his NFL career. His only athletic credentials prior to his first experience with the UFC were three amateur and three pro fights.Hardy took part in Dana White's Contender Series, winning both fights with sub-minute knockouts.UFC News@UltimateUFCNewsUFC signs Greg Hardy after KO win on Contender Series ift.tt/2l6A3jr1UFC signs Greg Hardy after KO win on Contender Series ift.tt/2l6A3jr https://t.co/yl3BhZDuK7What followed was a 1-fight stint at Xtreme Fight Night before 'The Prince of War' was officially signed to the UFC. With only three amateur fights and three professional bouts over the course of one year and one month, Hardy was highly inexperienced.He earned a disqualification loss in his first official UFC bout due to an illegal knee to a downed opponent. Despite a hostile fan reception to Hardy's presence in the promotion, he was kept around for three more years before being released.