The Outlaw needs to return to the fold. Anything less than a victory for Nottingham’s Dan Hardy in the early hours of Monday morning (UK time), in Milwaukee against American Chris Lytle could see the mohawked warrior sidelined from the Octagon and into Strikeforce. Nothing is clear that such a path has been laid for Hardy – either by the UFC hierarchy, or by the fighter himself. But he headlines a main event and one suspects that anything other than a thriller, if he loses, and the straps could be cut loose.
Hardy has surfed a wave of popularity since his defeats of firstly Marcus Davis, and then Mike Swick. He left them both, broken men, in his wake. Then came the five-round title fight with UFC welterweight champion George St Pierre, a bizarre contest last year in Newark, New Jersey, when Hardy was grounded for almost 25 minutes but strangely raised his stock in an unsatisfactory performance by both men.
Two defeats followed. A sudden knockout to Carlos Condit, followed by a wrestling exhibition by Anthony Johnson. Has Hardy been treading water for 12 months ? We’ll find out when he meets Lytle, a battle which on paper had all the ingredients of a barnburner. Lytle, a part-time fireman, is accustomed to putting out such flames, and may take a liking to the flame-red hair Hardy sports for this contest.
Hardy has switched to training in Las Vegas in recent months. Will it have done him any good ? Is his stand-up game now entrenched in his mindset ? It is certainly one of the things on Lytle’s mind. Lytle explained his philosophy behind the contest to The Telegraph this week. “When I fought Matt Hughes and lost by split decision [5 years ago], I went away that night really unhappy about it. Trying to get through fights to just get a win and further your career is not for me. I changed my attitude, and I’ve lost fights since bit have been happy that I have given my all. My attitude has been since then that whatever happens, I’m going out there to finish fights.”
Since that night five years ago against Hughes, Lytle has fought twelve times. He has been involved in fight of the night five times, and has won a knockout of the night and submission of the night twice. He is true to his word. He represents one of Hardy’s toughest opponents all-round. He has a deep respect for Hardy, but has advantages on the ground.
“Hardy is a real dangerous opponent. He has great hands, a very dangerous left hook, and he has fought for the welterweight title, so there are real dangers and I do leave myself open to punches with the way I fight. I’m not saying I would not take this fight to the ground, but if we do end up on the ground, I’ll be looking to finish him. I won’t be lying there fiddling through it,” Lytle told The Telegraph. The scene is set for Hardy, arguably one of the most popular mixed martial artists ever in Britain, to get his UFC career back on track…
Elsewhere on the main event, Jim Miller could put himself in contention for a lightweight title shot if he can beat Ben Henderson, the former WEC champion and Donald Cerrone and Charles Oliviera are matched up in what should be a thriller.
Telegraph main card picks: Lytle, Miller, Cerrone, Sadollah.
HOW TO WATCH THE EVENT:
Prelims are on the UFC Facebook page from 10.45pm on Sunday night.
On television:
Sky customers can watch the main event free from 2am on Premier Sports, Channel 433.
In Ireland, fans can watch the main event free from 2am on Channel 423 Setanta Ireland
The main event is also free to air – and on demand for a week – on UFC.TV online.
Preliminary Card (Facebook)
Bantamweight Bout: US Edwin Figueroa vs. US Jason Reinhardt
Lightweight Bout: US Jacob Volkmann vs. US Danny Castillo
Lightweight Bout: US Cole Miller vs. US T.J. O’Brien
Featherweight bout: US Alex Caceres vs. US Jimy Hettes
Light Heavyweight Bout: Czech Rep Karlos Vemola vs. BRZ Ronny Markes
Middleweight Bout: US Ed Herman vs. Aus Kyle Noke
Bantamweight Bout: US Joseph Benavidez vs. US Eddie Wineland
Middleweight bout: US C.B. Dollaway vs. US Jared Hamman
Main Card
Welterweight Bout: US Amir Sadollah vs. US Duane Ludwig
Lightweight Bout: BRZ Charles Oliveira vs. US Donald Cerrone
Lightweight Bout: US Jim Miller vs. US Ben Henderson
Welterweight Bout: Eng Dan Hardy vs. US Chris Lytle
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