This Sunday, the UFC will hold its fifth card on Versus, of which many of the bouts will have significant ramifications for the lightweight and welterweight divisions in particular. As Dan Hardy looks to rebound from three consecutive losses after…
This Sunday, the UFC will hold its fifth card on Versus, of which many of the bouts will have significant ramifications for the lightweight and welterweight divisions in particular.
As Dan Hardy looks to rebound from three consecutive losses after already receiving what looks to be his last hall pass, he will take on the always entertaining Chris Lytle.
Meanwhile, in the lightweight division, Jim Miller will look to solidify his bid for No. 1 contender status against former WEC Lightweight Champion Ben Henderson.
Elsewhere, the young up-and-coming Charles Oliveira will take on Donald Cerrone in a bout a little lower down the lightweight ladder as Cerrone will hope to insert himself amongst the divisions elite. For his part, Oliveira will be looking to add the veteran’s name to his list of wins.
After June’s Versus event, fans may not expect to see quite as much drama, but they can expect some very important results to come from the night’s bouts.
Here are four things to watch for in the UFC Live: Hardy vs. Lytle card.
There will be a much clearer picture at the top of the lightweight divison after Jim Miller and Ben Henderson settle some things on Sunday night n UFC Live on Versus 5.
These two exciting fighters are set to lock it up for the number one contender spot…
There will be a much clearer picture at the top of the lightweight divison after Jim Miller and Ben Henderson settle some things on Sunday night n UFC Live on Versus 5.
These two exciting fighters are set to lock it up for the number one contender spot in the division, and both have taken quite different paths to get here. Miller has scratched and clawed his way up almost exclusively in the UFC promotion, while Henderson made a smooth climb up in another promotion to helicopter in to the UFC with a solid name for himself.
These will be a very close fight to predict, but here is my head to toe breakdown.
What does Jim Miller have to do to get noticed? He’s currently riding a seven-fight win streak that includes wins over a former TUF winner and one of the most hyped prospects in the division, he’s finished his last two fights in highly impressive fashi…
What does Jim Miller have to do to get noticed?
He’s currently riding a seven-fight win streak that includes wins over a former TUF winner and one of the most hyped prospects in the division, he’s finished his last two fights in highly impressive fashion, and he’s sporting a 20-2 record with his only losses coming at the hands of the current champion and No. 1 contender.
Yet, somehow his fight with former WEC champion Ben Henderson has been subjected to co-main event status behind a fight between two guys coming off losses who are nowhere near title contention. Huh?
Not taking away anything from Dan Hardy and Chris Lytle, as they are both tremendously entertaining and will almost certainly provide us with a memorable fight on Sunday, but it makes no sense to have a potential No. 1 contender get second billing on a free TV card.
If Miller was a boring fighter, a case could be made to stick him behind some well known names, but he has done nothing but improve all aspects of his game as of late and his last couple fights have been highly entertaining.
If the UFC wants to build up contenders and marketable fighters in the lighter weight classes, this would seem like the perfect opportunity to do so. The fight is on free TV, there are plenty of other marketable names on the card (including Hardy and former TUF winner Amir Sadollah), and throwing a guaranteed slug-fest like Hardy-Lytle on before the main event would entice viewers to remain tuned in.
It seems like the UFC has dropped the ball with Miller so far, but if he wins this weekend, he deserves his shot at redemption against whoever comes out of the UFC 136 title fight.
He is a completely different fighter than the guy who lost to Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard, and a win over a former WEC champion would add a huge amount of credibility to an already good resume.
Jim Miller has proven he belongs inside the Octagon with the best in the division. If he wins on Sunday, let’s hope he steals Joe Rogan’s microphone and demands a title shot from Dana White and Joe Silva.
TORONTO — Watch below as Mark Bocek talks about his UFC 129 fight against Benson Henderson, his new online persona, his place in the lightweight division, fighting in his home province and how he expects the fight to play out.
TORONTO — Watch below as Mark Bocek talks about his UFC 129 fight against Benson Henderson, his new online persona, his place in the lightweight division, fighting in his home province and how he expects the fight to play out.
Filed under: MMA Videos, UFC, WEC, FanHouse Exclusive, VideosThis week’s live edition of The MMA Hour features another loaded line-up of guests from around the MMA world:
* Forrest Griffin will stop by to talk about his new book and his road back from…
What does Jim Miller have to do to get noticed?
This week’s live edition of