Aug 13 UFC Live 5: Previewing The Fights That Matter

Welterweight: Dan Hardy vs Chris Lytle

It starts with the main event, which brings together two of the UFC’s most entertaining strikers in Dan Hardy and Chris Lytle. Hardy got his 5 minutes of fame with all the hype leading up to his being dismantled for a full 25 minutes by George St-Pierre, and then has gone on to lose his next 2 fights. Lytle is coming off a loss to Brian Eborsole, his first loss in his last 5 fights. Never one to be considered in the top 10 of his weight class, Lytle is easily in the top 10 of fighters guaranteed to make it exciting for the fans. He is a fighter he doesn’t fight to win as much as he fights to earn a Fight of the Night or a KO/Submission of the Night bonus. If Hardy wants to stave off his 4^th straight loss in the UFC, which is a sure ticket back to England to try and rebuild his career on the local circuit, he may need to start employing some ground techniques he may have learned in training with Josh Koscheck to at least cement those key round points should this fight go to a decision. Lytle is no slouch on the ground, but he is susceptible to being taken to the ground since his gameplan is simple: Let his hands fly and his feet move forward. I for one am not concerned that the beating Lytle took in his loss to Eborsole may shy him away from that style of fighting, and try and fight more conservatively, but a leopard can’t change his spots, and “Lights Out” Lytle can’t help but fight that way.

Prediction:  Dan Hardy by unanimous decision

Lightweight: Jim Miller vs Benson Henderson

This is a battle between 2 bad ass fighters. Jim Miller may not have the kind of fan fare associated with the cage flying Benson Henderson, but he is a far more technically superior fighter. Miller has only lost to now champion Frankie Edgar, and Gray Maynard, who fought Edgar to a draw in their last fight. Currently on a 7 fight winning streak which includes wins over Mac Danzig, Duane Ludwig, and Mark Bocek, a win over Benson Henderson puts Miller in for title contention. Henderson is somewhat in a different level leading up to this fight. While he is an exciting fighter, he has not shown the well rounded skills of Jim Miller until his last fight against Mark Bocek, who, like Miller, Henderson also won via a decision. If you add improved standup along with his strong wrestling and amazing athletic ability, Henderson has the ability to win by explosive fashion. If Henderson can put it all together, he can not only win this fight, but go on to be dominating in the lightweight division.

Prediction: Benson Henderson by KO in round 2

Welterweight: Duane Ludwig vs Amir Sadollah

When we spoke with Duane “Bang” Ludwig at the UFC fan expo, he made it very clear that he has some personal issues with the way the UFC has treated Amir Sadollah. Ludwig has a great on-camera personality and knows that a win against one of the UFC’s poster boys and Forrest Griffen clone Sadollah could create a void that he would love to fill. Sadollah is the perfect type of fighter to fall victim to Ludwig’s style. Sadollah loves to go forward using very little angles, which is perfect for a guy like Ludwig to move to the side and just pick Sadollah apart. Now, if Sadollah can use some wrestling, that may change the complexion of the fight, but I think Ludwig has improved in that regard.

Prediction: Ludwig by KO in Round 2

Tags: Amir Sadollah \ Benson Henderson \ Chris Lytle \ Dan Hardy \ Duane Ludwig \ Jim Miller \ Live 5 \ MMA \ UFC