The Ultimate Fighting Championship has been creating a major stir in the mixed martial arts industry lately. Following news of medical insurance for fighters during the Zuffa fighter’s summit, the organization has also announced some major matchups for later this year. Here’s a look at a few that stand out:
Dan Hardy vs. Chris Lytle – UFC Live 5
The Hardy-Lytle matchup set for UFC Live on Versus 5 is MMA’s closet thing to a professional wrestling “Loser Leaves Town” matchup. Hardy is on a three-fight skid that has seen him dominated by both Georges St. Pierre and Anthony Johnson. He also suffered a first-round knockout at the hands of Carlos Condit in between the two decisions. While known for his willingness to get into firefights in the cage, Hardy is teetering close to being released if he suffers another one sided defeat.
Chris Lytle was riding a four-fight win streak that was suddenly halted by Brian Ebersole at UFC 127. Stories were circulated after that defeat that Lytle had begun to think about retirement. While he is another fighter who does not mind standing and trading, it’s often Lytle’s grappling that goes underrated. Over the course of his 12-year MMA career, 21 of his victories have come by submission.
I expect this to be an exciting fight with highlight reel moments from both fighters when they trade punches. However, I’m looking for Lytle to fight the smarter battle, and take his opponent down, eventually coaxing a tap out. While Hardy’s submission defense looked strong against GSP, I believe that Lytle should be able to lock up another dangerous hold and put his opponent away.
Benson Henderson vs. Jim Miller – UFC Live 5
The UFC’s lightweight division is the definition of the term “shark tank.” Everywhere you look, any one of the lightweight fighters on the roster could be a contender to the championship. Jim Miller and Benson Henderson are two of the more prominent predators in the tank at this time.
Henderson recently dispatched Mark Bocek at UFC 129 in impressive fashion. The former WEC lightweight champion quickly jumped back onto the winning track after suffering a stunning defeat to current contender Anthony Pettis. Henderson has the workrate, cardio, and wrestling to give many people in this division fits. At one time many pundits were looking forward to a matchup of Benson against current champ, Frankie Edgar, and a victory over Miller places Henderson that much closer.
When it comes to his UFC performances, Jim Miller speaks softly and carries a big stick. Miller isn’t the type to do much talking until the cage door shuts, and he can express himself through violence. The New Jersey native has amassed seven straight wins, and remained very active while awaiting a potential title shot; in 2010 alone Miller fought 4 times, which is rare for competitors near the top of the ladder.
A Henderson-Miller matchup is extremely tough to predict. Both fighters know how to win, and are at the top of their game at this time. Still, I believe that Henderson will pull out a victory when these two meet. Benson pushes the pace from start to finish, while finding ways out of dangerous positions left and right. So many fighters have put Henderson in bad spots, only to see him squirm his way out, and continue to press them. I expect to see the same against Miller, who will get Henderson in some dangerous positions, only for him to fight out, and drive on to a decision victory.
Dustin Poirier vs. Jason Young – UFC 131
The UFC’s featherweight division is also a stacked group, albeit of lesser-known fighters. With the performance that Jose Aldo and Mark Hominick put on at UFC 129, I expect more fans to take notice of the guys fighting at 145 pounds. Poirier and Young are two names that can also produce an action packed fight.
Exploding onto the UFC scene with a victory over Josh Grispi at UFC 125, “The Diamond” has placed himself in position to shoot up the featherweight rankings. At only 22 years of age, it’s apparent that Poirier is still developing as a fighter, yet his track record shows that he knows how to win and win impressively. Of his nine victories, eight have come by stoppage. He can quickly place his name onto the short list for contenders to the featherweight title with another impressive win.
Jason Young has drawn a tough test for his introduction to the UFC fans. Filling in due to injury, he’s taking this fight on short notice. Normally I’d bet against the guy with less time, but Young has standup abilities that can quickly change a fight; he has 8 wins, three of which have come by knockout.
My prediction is that Poirier will do what is necessary to win this battle. I don’t expect him to come out swinging, however I do think he will fight an intelligent battle on the feet, and outpoint Young in that department. Poirier should win by knockout in the third round.
