Lyoto Machida's Coach MMA Can Save Greg Hardy's Life ... I'd Love To Train Him

Former NFL star Greg Hardy is finally getting support from someone in the MMA community ... and it comes from one of the best trainers in the business ... Kenny Johnson.

Kenny's trained stars like B.J. Penn, Jose Aldo and Anderson Silva. So when TMZ Sports ran into him at Black House MMA Gym ... we asked if he'd be interested in bringing Hardy on board.

"I would not judge the past of a man if he's trying to better his present."

KJ went on to say, "With him wanting to make the transition over to MMA ... hey man, Black House, we're open. Call me ... we'll train."

This comes just days after Jay Glazer and Luke Rockhold bashed the troubled former Pro Bowler ... saying there's no room for Hardy in the sport.

Johnson clearly disagrees.

"A lot of people are being real harsh on the guy. They're choosing to focus on the past of a man, rather than the future."

Check out the clip.