UFC LIVE 5: HARDY VS. LYTLE

The only thing better than a UFC event is a FREE UFC event and I for one am pumped about the line-up for tomorrow's show on Versus. First off, there are some big names on the Main Card; Dan Hardy, Chris Lytle, Jim Miller, Ben Henderson, Donald Cerrone, Charles Oliviera, Amir Sadollah, Duane Ludwig C.B Dolloway, Jared Hamman and a handful of other great fighters.

The prelims are fairly stacked as well with; Benavidez, Wineland, Herman, Noke, Vemola, Markes, Caceres, Hettes, Miller, O'Brien, Volkmann, Castillo, Figueroa, and Reinhardt. 


Overall, this should be a great card (especially coming off the heels of the lackluster card put on by Strikeforce, which aired on Showtime Friday night). 

MY MAIN CARD FIGHT PICKS:

Dan Hardy (23-9) vs. Chris Lytle (40-18)
Based on their history and fight styles, this has the making to be a slugfest. Both fighters are known for taking the center of the octagon and throwing punches and kicks with bad intentions and while many may favor, "The Outlaw," Dan Hardy --- I am going with Lytle via decision. Lytle is a rugged, blue-collar fighter with a great chin and the cardio to match it. I think he'll be able to hold his own standing and it'll be his ability to out wrestle and control Hardy on the ground that will give him his 41st win. 


Jim Miller (20-2) vs. Ben Henderson (13-2)
Joe Rogan believes this scrap has the potential to be "The Fight of the Year" and I think anybody would be hard pressed to argue again his claim. Both fighters are tough as nails, great wrestlers, always in shape and come to bang. I think it'll be a back-and-forth battle from bell-to-bell but at the end of round three, Miller will get his hand raised. Henderson is more dynamic in my opinion but what Miller lacks in athleticism he makes up for in grit and a never-say-die attitude. 


Charles Oliviera (14-1) vs. Donald Cerrone (15-3)
Both fighters have previous UFC wins and bright futures in the organization but I think Cerrone's big fight experience (like his wins over Varner, Ratcliff and McCullough) will give him enough of an edge against Oliviera. While some may call me crazy, I actually see Cerrone submitting Oliveira in the third round after wearing him down with his fast-paced stand-up. To date, Cerrone has 11 wins by submission and he'll sport a dozen after tomorrow's contest.


Amir Sadollah (6-2) vs. Duane Ludwig (28-11)
I see this as a stepping stone fight for Sadollah; Ludwig is somewhat of a journeyman and after dropping 3 of his last 4 fights, I don't see him getting back on track against the scrappy and unorthodox Sadollah. Ludwig has a lot of experience and he'll test Amir early but I see him being worn down by the pace, leg kicks and clinch of Sadollah before being TKO'd in the second. 


C.B. Dolloway (12-4) vs. Jared Hamman (12-3)
I see this as a classic, "striker vs. grappler" match-up with a big advantage going to Dolloway. First off, Hamman is 2-2 in his last 4 fights and has only successfully defended 23% of his opponents takedowns. Considering Dolloway's wrestling pedigree at Arizona State, I don't see Hamman staying on his feet long. C.B. has a nasty streak when he comes to fight and I think he is going to mow over Hamman with a ground-and-pound stoppage in the late first or second round. 


HOW DO YOU SEE THE FIGHTS GOING?