The 5th installment of UFC's Live event on Versus takes place at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The main event features Dan Hardy and Chris Lytle, 2 Welterweights in desperate need of a win in what should be an exciting match. The co-main event features a Lightweight bout between Jim Miller and Ben Henderson which I featured as one of the top fights in August found here. Donald Cerrone taking on Charles Oliveira and Amir Sadollah vs Duane Ludwig round out the TV portion of the event which is shaping up to be an exciting night of free fights.
Main Event
23-9 Record 30-18-5
29 Age 36
171 Weight 169.5
6'0 Height 5'11
74" Reach 68"
-110 Odds -120
How They Got Here: Lytle is coming off his decision loss to Brian Ebersole at UFC 127, prior to the lose Lytle had won 4 fights in a row. Hardy has his back against the wall having lost 3 fights in a row, most recently a decision to Anthony Johnson.
What To Expect: With the long losing streak the UFC really did Hardy a favour and a chance to keep his job matching him up with someone that shares the same stand and bang attitude. This should be a stand up battle but it is Lytle that has a respectable submission game it wouldn't be a surprise if he does go for a takedown on Hardy if Hardy is getting the best of him in the stand up.
My Prediction: Hardy by Decision
Jim Miller vs Ben Henderson
20-2 Record 13-2
27 Age 27
155 Weight 156.5
5'8 Height 5'9
71" Reach 70"
-150 Odds +125
How They Got Here: Miller is on the brink of a title shot having now won 7 fights in a row, most recently a TKO win over Kamal Shalorus at UFC 128. Henderson got off on the right foot in his first fight since losing his WEC title beating Mark Bocek by decision in which was also his UFC debut.
What To Expect: As I mentioned Miller is most likely a win away from a title shot and he most likely wants an impressive performance against the tough Henderson to solidify that shot. Henderson is a tough opponent to finish however with only 1 of his 2 loses being a finish which was all the way from 2007. Personally I would like to see this fight go the ground as both are accomplished there but in different areas. Miller is the terrific wrestler who will go for the submission when there, and Henderson is a great at submissions, scrambles and submission defense. The fight will probably come down to who has the better stand up and cardio which both are pretty close to give anyone the clear advantage.
My Prediction: Miller by Decison
Donald Cerrone vs Charles Oliveira
15-3 Record 14-1
28 Age 21
155 Weight 154
5'11 Height 6'1
73" Reach 73"
+135 Odds -155
How They Got Here: Cerrone has been on a bit of a roll of late winning his last 4 bouts including the last 2 in the UFC, most recently a decision win over Vagner Rocha. Oliveira is coming off his unfortunate fight with Nik Lentz which ended in a no contest due to an unintentional illegal knee that Oliveira delivered to Lentz, the referee in charge did not see the blow and moments later Oliveira sunk in a rear naked choke that Lentz tapped too.
What To Expect: In my opinion this is the odds on favorite for the best fight of the night. We could see this fight go anywhere in the octagon and these 2 exciting fighters will give us a competitive, even fight. Some of the taller Lightweights this fight is perhaps the hardest on the card to really predict a winner, both have shown great submissions, great stand up with Cerrone being the more technical while Oliveira perhaps being quicker and more explosive. Wrestling and cardio could play the major key to victory in this one with Cerrone most likely having the edge in those departments but Oliveira should never be counted out as he has already faced some tough competition in his young career.
My Prediction: Oliveira by Decision
Amir Sadollah vs Duane Ludwig
5-2 Record 20-11
30 Age 33
170 Weight 170
5'11 Height 5'10
75" Reach 70"
-300 Odds +245
How They Got Here: This fight was originally scheduled for UFC Fight Night 24 but an injury to Ludwig forced him out and Sadollah went on to face, and beat DeMarques Johnson. Sadollah The Ultimate Fighter season 7 winner has won 2 fights in a row overall. Ludwig most recently won his return bout to the Welterweight division over Nick Osipczak after losing his previous 2 in the UFC's Lightweight division.
What To Expect: Much like the main event a stand up bout is what we should expect on paper at least. Unlike the main event however is these 2 competitors are more of kickboxers with Sadollah background in Muay Thai and Ludwig from more of a tradition kickboxing style. Ludwig is the more technical of the 2 and has a big advantage in experience but it is Sadollah who could throw a monkey wrench into the whole fight and attempt a takedown where he would have the advantage on the ground.
My Prediction: Sadollah by Decision
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