(Hardy says it’s either “kill or be killed” Sunday night against Lytle.)
Many critics are pointing to the welterweight scrap between Dan Hardy (23-9-0-1) and Chris Lytle (30-18-5) at UFC on Versus 5: Hardy vs. Lytle in Milwaukee on Sunday as being a a must-win match-up for the British striker, and by rights it very well will be considering he is 0-3 in his past three outings.
Hardy, who is cognizant of the high stakes of the bout, says that even though some might opt to play it cautious in his position, he’s still going to come out swinging and let the chips fall where they may, and he believes that Lytle will walk into the Octagon in the same frame of mind.
“That’s what I’m hoping for. Chris is an exciting fighter, and he always brings the fight,” Hardy explains. “I’m sure this fight won’t be any different. I’m always fine with trading punches until someone falls over…I like my odds in that gamble.”
“The Outlaw” says that he wants to be in the running for not only “Fight of the Night” honors Sunday night, but also for the coveted award of “Knockout of the Night” — a rather lofty goal considering no opponent has ever turned the “Lights Out” on Lytle.
“My goal is to be the first person to knock Chris out,” he says matter-of-factly. “I’m not sure when it will come or how it will come, but I have a lot of options, a lot of techniques that would get him out of there before the final bell.”
Hardy believes that he is a better striker than his 36-year-old opponent, who by day is an Indianapolis firefighter, and he says that he aims to prove it this weekend by besting Lytle and stopping the durable veteran.
“All I know is that the fight will be a war while it lasts, and my hand will be raised at the end.”
*Special thanks to Hardy’s sponsor RevGear for supplying us with the above quotes from “The Outlaw.”