As a collective, they’re a winner because, this time, hardly anyone is talking about them. Except for the judge who called the first round of Miller vs. Hendo for Cole Miller (even that many find forgivable), all their decisions sat well with the fans….
As a collective, they’re a winner because, this time, hardly anyone is talking about them. Except for the judge who called the first round of Miller vs. Hendo for Cole Miller (even that many find forgivable), all their decisions sat well with the fans.
The judges also won in the five matches that went the distance and in which fates were laid in their hands.
They had the right fighters win: Jacob Volkmann, Ronny Markes, Joseph Benavidez, Duane Ludwig and Ben Henderson.
In a way, the judges also “won” when the seven other matches resulted in finishes. With all the flak that judges have been receiving since judging was invented, it must be their constant prayer that they’d be spared from ultimately choosing the winner of any contest.
So, in seven out of 12 fights last Sunday night, they were absolved by omission.
Hmm, which is more preferable to judges: making the right decisions at the end of an “unfinished” fight or not having their scorecards read aloud due to a finished fight?
Anyway, this question is moot and academic as far as UFC Live 5 is concerned.
For now, let’s acknowledge and congratulate its judges for a job well done.
Heck, they never had it easy—mixed martial arts and all its rules can make anyone’s perception all mixed up.
UFC Live: Hardy vs Lytle delivered the goods. Out of 12 total bouts, only five went to a decision.Heading into the main event, I was sure some of the earlier scraps would earn “Fight of the Night”, but low and behold, it was the main event that o…
UFC Live: Hardy vs Lytle delivered the goods. Out of 12 total bouts, only five went to a decision.
Heading into the main event, I was sure some of the earlier scraps would earn “Fight of the Night”, but low and behold, it was the main event that officially earned the UFC’s “Fight of the Night”.
Chris Lytle vs Dan Hardy was an excellent battle, but was it the best fight of the night?
Which fights got overlooked by the glitz and glamour of the main event?
These are the five best fights from UFC Live on Versus 5: Lytle vs Hardy.
When asked to describe his career in his final post-fight interview following his submission victory over Dan Hardy, Chris Lytle summed up more than a decade’s worth of sport-defining battles with one word — “exciting.” And how appropriate a sign-off it was for the soft spoken, hard swinging Indiana born fighter. Over the course of 54 fights, 20 of which took place under the bright lights of the UFC, Lytle never once let a loss, an opponent, or a chance at title contention stop him from entertaining his audience.
In the fight game, both fighters and fans often look at success with tunnel vision, believing that the belt around one’s waist alone defines it. But even with the greatest champions, we sometimes find ourselves questioning their willingness to take big risks for the relatively small reward of the fans’ respect. And though he never donned UFC gold, it goes without saying that “Lights Out” was never one to take the easy road to victory. From his legendary slugfests with Paul Kelly, Thiago Alves, and Marcus Davis to his impressive and creative submission victories over Matt Brown, Brian Foster, and Jason Gilliam, Lytle always put the fans’ delight before his own, throwing caution, his health, and perhaps his better judgment to the wind in order to ensure that we all got our money’s worth. And his final battle was no exception; though he had a clear grappling advantage over Hardy, Lytle opted to slug it out with the dangerous striker, choosing to end the fight by submission only when prompted to by Hardy himself.
By Jared “DangadaDang” Jones
When asked to describe his career in his final post-fight interview following his submission victory over Dan Hardy, Chris Lytle summed up more than a decade’s worth of sport-defining battles with one word — “exciting.” And how appropriate a sign-off it was for the soft spoken, hard swinging Indiana born fighter. Over the course of 54 fights, 20 of which took place under the bright lights of the UFC, Lytle never once let a loss, an opponent, or a chance at title contention stop him from entertaining his audience.
In the fight game, both fighters and fans often look at success with tunnel vision, believing that the belt around one’s waist alone defines it. But even with the greatest champions, we sometimes find ourselves questioning their willingness to take big risks for the relatively small reward of the fans’ respect. And though he never donned UFC gold, it goes without saying that “Lights Out” was never one to take the easy road to victory. From his legendary slugfests with Paul Kelly, Thiago Alves, and Marcus Davis to his impressive and creative submission victories over Matt Brown, Brian Foster, and Jason Gilliam, Lytle always put the fans’ delight before his own, throwing caution, his health, and perhaps his better judgment to the wind in order to ensure that we all got our money’s worth. And his final battle was no exception; though he had a clear grappling advantage over Hardy, Lytle opted to slug it out with the dangerous striker, choosing to end the fight by submission only when prompted to by Hardy himself.
Even as a borderline robot when it comes to displays of emotion, I couldn’t help but find myself a little choked up when I found out that Lytle was walking away from a sport I so dearly love. Because “Lights Out” in a way represented the kind of everyman that not only reminds us of but inspires the incredible silver screen stories like Rocky that we find ourselves watching over and over again. But to group him with those mythical Hollywood creations would almost be an insult to a man who is not only a hero inside the cage, but an even greater one on the outside.
A father of four and full-time fireman, Lytle has built his career through a tremendous amount of sacrifice, and perhaps therein lies his readiness to go to war without so much as batting an eye. And for his sacrifice, not only were the fans repeatedly rewarded, but Lytle was as well. The man has received a record 10 UFC bonuses in his past 13 fights, including six Fight of the Night performances despite only headlining one of those shows, his bout this past Sunday. (His bonus total would at least be 11 if not for a certain someone deciding to display something other than a series of rapid fire hammer fists, but I’m getting away from the point). In a sport that sooftenbaffles us, it is comforting to know that good guys like Lytle — who has never had a bad thing to say about any opponent in over ten years worth of competition — do occasionally reap the rewards.
Holding true to his character, Chris Lytle has decided to walk away from the sport he loves on his own terms, not out of necessity, but out of love for his family. There is no doubt in any of our minds that Lytle easily had a couple more good years left in him, but the fact that he is going out without ever being knocked out or submitted, and on an impressive win nonetheless, just goes to prove what kind of person he is, both as a fighter and as a man. Lytle has stated that in addition to devoting himself full-time to his family he is also looking into a run at the state legislature, and though history is against him, we all know that he won’t go down without a fight. A bloody, brutal fight.
So if this is truly the end of the road for Mr. Lytle, as one of your biggest fans I would just like to say on behalf of the MMA community, thank you. Thank you for all thebeautiful memories. You are the epitome of what most fighters wish they could be, and if there’s any justice in the world, a future spot in the UFC Hall of Fame surely awaits you.
It is a somber day amongst the MMA community as we say a collective goodbye to “The Coach” Shawn Tompkins who passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, August 14th in Canada at the age of 37..
It is a somber day amongst the MMA community as we say a collective goodbye to “The Coach” Shawn Tompkins who passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, August 14th in Canada at the age of 37. MMA Fix has only grattitude and respect for Shawn Tompkins. We extend our hearts and support to the Tompkins family.
UFC on Versus 5 drew $539,000 at the gate with 6,751 in attendance.
Chris Lytle officialy retires following submission win over Dan Hardy at UFC on Versus 5.
Lorenzo Fertitta gives Dan Hardy at least one more chance in the UFC.
Ryan Couture will face Maka Watson at Strikeforce Challengers 19. Watson is currently (4-1) in his pro MMA record. 3 of his wins come via submission.
Following Ben Henderson‘s Unanimous Decision win over Jim Miller at UFC on Versus 5, Clay Guida campaigns for next title shot.
Ronda Rousey hopes to return to the Strikeforce cage immediately following her controversial win over Sarah D’Alelio where it appears, referee Steve Mazzagatti stopped the fight after being told by Rousey (and not hearing it himself) that D’Alelio verbally tapped at Friday night’s Strikeforce Challengers 18.
(If only our last day at the office could be this satisfying. Also, what’s up with the little bunny on Dan’s shorts? Photo courtesy of UFC.com)
After Dan Hardy tapped to a Chris Lytle guillotine choke last night at UFC on Versus 5 — Hardy’s fourth consecutive loss within the Octagon — many fans assumed that the Outlaw would be released by the UFC to get a couple of tune-up wins somewhere else. But Hardy doesn’t have to start updating his resume just yet. UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta confirmed via Twitter that Hardy won’t be cut. His reasoning: “I like guys that WAR!!!”
That’s great news for the former welterweight title contender. The question is, does Hardy even want another chance? Winless since 2009, Hardy appears to be in no rush to get back on the horse. As he told MMA Junkie:
“I think if they are going to give me one more fight, then I really need to take some time and come back reinvented…There are a lot of things I can do. But right now, I need space from competing, and I need space in the gym getting beaten up by much better guys in every area. I’ll either improve or find another way. If I’ve got one more fight, then I’ll take one more fight. But maybe it won’t be for a little while…“
(If only our last day at the office could be this satisfying. Also, what’s up with the little bunny on Dan’s shorts? Photo courtesy of UFC.com)
After Dan Hardy tapped to a Chris Lytle guillotine choke last night at UFC on Versus 5 — Hardy’s fourth consecutive loss within the Octagon — many fans assumed that the Outlaw would be released by the UFC to get a couple of tune-up wins somewhere else. But Hardy doesn’t have to start updating his resume just yet. UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta confirmed via Twitter that Hardy won’t be cut. His reasoning: “I like guys that WAR!!!”
That’s great news for the former welterweight title contender. The question is, does Hardy even want another chance? Winless since 2009, Hardy appears to be in no rush to get back on the horse. As he told MMA Junkie:
“I think if they are going to give me one more fight, then I really need to take some time and come back reinvented…There are a lot of things I can do. But right now, I need space from competing, and I need space in the gym getting beaten up by much better guys in every area. I’ll either improve or find another way. If I’ve got one more fight, then I’ll take one more fight. But maybe it won’t be for a little while…”
“I think I had the quickest rise and the quickest fall the UFC’s ever seen – four fights up, four fights down. But there were improvements to make. I know that. I just don’t think between fights I’ve really had the time to invest in working on those particular things. I know I’ve got it in me to learn them…”
“I think my head’s elsewhere to be honest. I’m going to step back a little bit and take some time — just enjoy being in the gym for a little while and see where the future takes me…I’ll see where my life takes me after a couple of days off. I think I just need to really dedicate the time to it and either come back in a blaze of glory and make a run for the belt or do something else. I’m not sure yet.”
Coincidentally, Lytle’s farewell win over Hardy brought both of their UFC records to the .500 mark. Of course, Lytle’s story couldn’t be more different than Hardy’s, as he now leaves the sport with an impressive victory, and joins the very short list of fighters who went out on top. Making the moment even sweeter is the $130,000 in bonus money that Lights Out made for his efforts. $65,000 performance bonuses for UFC on Versus 5 were distributed to the following fighters…
Fight of the Night: Chris Lytle and Dan Hardy for their main event slugfest, which lived up to its billing and then some.
Submission of the Night: Chris Lytle again, beating out Ed Herman, Jimy Hettes, and Cole Miller, who also scored submission victories during the prelims.
Knockout of the Night: Donald Cerrone, for his first-round mollywopping of Charles Oliveira.
Chris Lytle’s two final UFC bonuses once again make him the most bonus-worthy fighter in UFC history, with 10 overall bonuses and a whopping $515,000 in career bonus money. Oh yeah, and he also won a 2012 Harley-Davidson Blackline for defeating Hardy. Beats the hell out of gold watch, doesn’t it?
Filed under: UFCYou can say this for the UFC’s free fight cards: they’re always worth your money, even if you pay for them by sitting through the same few commercials over and over again.
Last night in Milwaukee fight fans got treated to a little piec…
You can say this for the UFC’s free fight cards: they’re always worth your money, even if you pay for them by sitting through the same few commercials over and over again.
Last night in Milwaukee fight fans got treated to a little piece of MMA history, as one of the sport’s great battlers called it quits and went out on a triumphant victory. If you didn’t feel a little choked up watching Chris Lytle hug his kids in the Octagon after a brutal scrap to end a hard-nosed career, better check your battery life, because you may be a robot.
It’s great to see those moments broadcast live to the entire cable TV universe, but it wasn’t all puppy dogs and rainbows at UFC on Versus 5. Now that we’re faced with the sober reality of Monday morning, it’s time to sort through all the winners, losers, and everything in between.
Biggest Winner: Chris Lytle
It’s so rare to see pro fighters walk away when it’s time. It’s rare to even see them walk away when it’s a quarter past time. Usually, the appeal of the money and fame combines with the addictive power of adrenaline and the unbreakable spirit that got them here to begin with, and the result is a person who wants to hang on to a fighting career until promoters and fans are stomping on his fingers to get him to let go. Lytle had seen that in action enough to know he didn’t want to find out what it felt like, and so he made the perfect exit at the perfect time. From the opening moments of the bout he fought like a man who was determined to see someone get beat up and he didn’t particularly care who it was. After boxing Hardy up and surviving a few wobbly scares of his own, a submission finish in a fight that he never tried to take to the mat feels like the absolute right ending to Lytle’s great career. Heading out with $130,000 in bonuses probably doesn’t hurt either. So long, Chris. Thanks for the memories.
Biggest Loser: Dan Hardy
He fought exactly the fight that Lytle wanted him to, right down to the ill-advised takedown with his neck wide open in the third. That’s four straight for our mohawked friend, and he should be very grateful that the UFC loves his fighting style and his attitude so much that it doesn’t mind when one or both results in a losing streak that would embarrass the Detroit Lions. But his losses aside, keeping Hardy is the right move here. The UFC has been too quick with the cuts in the past, as if it’s impossible for fighters to go through a lull and come back strong. Hardy fought for the welterweight title a year and a half ago. On Sunday he was one half of the Fight of the Night, so it would be hypocritical to reward his efforts and praise his fighting style while also giving him his walking papers. I know, the UFC has done that very thing in the past, but that doesn’t make it right. Eventually, however, Hardy might have to choose between fighting smart and fighting to the UFC’s liking. Reminder: just because you want to stand and bang, that doesn’t mean you have to stand in only one spot, exactly where your opponent’s left hook knows how to find you.
Most Surprising: Ben Henderson
With a win over Miller, he joined a very small club that includes only the current UFC lightweight champion and the current no. 1 contender. By battering Miller into a bloody mess, Henderson established his own club where he, as the only member, gets to write the bylaws (first rule: haircuts are optional). It’s one thing to survive all Miller’s submissions and eek out a decision. It’s quite another to shrug off those submissions and punish him severely for each attempt. Miller is a very good lightweight, and we’ve never seen anyone take it to him like Henderson did. Put this kid in a fight with Clay Guida and you’ll have your next lightweight challenger by the time the dust clears. Also, getting down on bended knee to plead for the UFC to give your teammates a look? Yeah, that’s a pretty awesome move.
Worst Game Plan: Amir Sadollah
So he came into a fight with one of the most experienced kickboxers in the UFC and decided it would be a good idea to keep it on the feet in the early going, huh? As much as I respect a man who’s always looking to test himself, in retrospect that doesn’t seem like such a good idea. Sadollah needed to get this fight to the mat, and he should have known that. Instead of making that his primary goal, he went toe-to-toe with “Bang” and only tried for takedowns right after getting rocked, when his lunging attempts were more desperation than technique. That’s exactly the kind of thing people are talking about when they talk about the difference that experience makes. Sadollah hung tough and took his beating like a man, so he’ll likely benefit from this painful little lesson. Let’s just hope he only has to learn it once.
Weirdest Post-Fight Request: Duane Ludwig
You’d think a 33-year-old man would have other things to think about after a big win than getting Joe Rogan’s signature on his MMA doll — sorry, action figure. But hey, we all have our quirks, I suppose. The strangest thing is how quickly he had that thing ready. That means he probably asked one of his cornermen to bring it down to the cage with them, at which point I imagine Trevor Wittman looking at him and fighting the urge to say, ‘You’re a grown man, Duane!’ As for Ludwig’s plea to get the UFC to acknowledge his record for the fastest knockout, there he actually has a good point. Maybe Dana White can send an intern down to the copy shop to print up an official-looking certificate to give him. Then Ludwig can put it in his rec room along with all his autographed MMA dolls action figures. At least he’s a savvy enough collector to keep them in their original packaging, which is more than I can say for a certain host of a certain MMA Hour.
Most Brutal: Donald Cerrone
In case you couldn’t tell, “Cowboy” is just straight-up mean. He has very little regard for the feelings of others, and seems to take immense pleasure in their pain. A lot of people think that’s common among pro fighters, but it really isn’t. Most guys just want to win and dominate. They might even feel a little bad about punishing someone more than necessary. Cerrone? Let’s just say that if the UFC ever goes under, he could find work as a freelance debt collector. Since coming over from the WEC, he seems to have only improved his overall game and even learned to come out of the gates a little quicker. I’m not sure if he’s got all the tools necessary to get to the top in this division, but he certainly has the ability to lay down some beatings and instill fear in some hearts along the way. For now, that’s good enough.
Sharpest Decline: Charles Oliveira
Remember when he was the undefeated whiz kid coming straight outta Brazil? Once he got above the level of the Efrain Escuderos, his ascent stalled. Not that he’s gotten an easy road, mind you. He got thrown in against Jim Miller, which is a tough draw for any lightweight. Then he had the unfortunate (very) illegal knee incident against Nik Lentz, which cost him a win. But against Cerrone he quickly looked like a man who didn’t really want to be in there. Calling time for what was far more of a leg kick than a groin shot should have been the first sign. Crumpling up after that pitiless body shot was the last. There’s no question that he’s got skills, and he’s still young enough for these to be valuable learning experiences, but he needs to grow up in a hurry if he’s going to hang at this level for very long. In case the matchmaking hasn’t already tipped him off, perhaps someone should point out that the UFC doesn’t take it easy on anyone.
Most in Need of a New Weight Class: Joseph Benavidez
Give credit to the Joe-Jitsu master, he’s perfected the art of closing the distance against taller opponents, probably because he’s been doing it his whole career. The fact that he’s been this successful against bigger guys at 135 pounds only strengthens my belief that he’s essentially the de facto champ in the 125-pound division, which exists in the UFC only as a promise at this point. Soon, they say. Soon they’ll gather up the little fellas and start this new weight class. That day can’t come soon enough for Benavidez, who seems like he’d be absolutely dominant if he could ever get the chance to pick on someone his own size.
As a collective, they’re a winner because, this time, hardly anyone is talking about them. Except for the judge who called the first round of Miller vs. Hendo for Cole Miller (even that many find forgivable), all their decisions sat well with the fans.
You can say this for the UFC’s free fight cards: they’re always worth your money, even if you pay for them by sitting through the same few commercials over and over again.