Former welterweight title contender Dan Hardy has been in the UFC's commentary booth for a couple of years now, doing an excellent job breaking down fights and calling the action. While he admits he has true passion on this current venture, a part of him still wants to compete in the UFC.

"I'd like the opportunity to fight those three fights out," Hardy, now 33, told MMA Fighting. "I need to get cleared with the cardiologists. I'm a lifelong martial artist and to have an arena to test my skills is essential for me."

In 2013, he was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, and while he hasn't had negative symptoms from it, it has led to him not being licensed to fight.

"I know I can push myself to my limit and my heart won't fail me," he said. "I feel confident in getting cleared. I need a few weeks of training camp to get my heart back to 42 beats (per minute)"

"I felt I was caught in the American health care system and the structure of the business of health care," Hardy said. "Doctors in the U.K. gave me the same tests. They told me, `I understand you're in a slightly higher risk, but you've never had a side effect and we don't think its an issue.'"

If he does eventually move back from the booth to the cage, he seems to already have an opponent in mind. Hardy once again had another exchange with fellow vet Diego Sanchez.

@AllScream4Stevn @danhardymma @TheNotoriousMMA I'd whoop his tail for fun! Why do you bring the announcer up?did he get cleared finally? — Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) March 15, 2016

I'll take that as a compliment. After watching your fights, you are lucky you still speak in sentences. https://t.co/m00ZAj4E6J — Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) March 16, 2016

@danhardymma @AllScream4Stevn @TheNotoriousMMA I'm good n healthy trust me! sharper than I'v ever been, would love to show you how sharp — Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) March 16, 2016

I'd like that too. It'd undoubtedly be your last fight though. As sharp as you are, a kitchen knife won't cut iron. https://t.co/bt9Cg9LBnt — Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) March 16, 2016

@Lee88Jay @danhardymma I'm not going anywhere and I'll give him that fight as a comeback for fun... But it's a mere fantasy he's done! — Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) March 16, 2016

Hardy last fought in 2012, winning two straight against Amir Sadollah and Duane Ludwig. Sanchez, who is about a year older than the Brit, recently defeated Jim Miller by decision. He says his next bout will happen on UFC 200.