UFC Live 5

Short and sweet for this preview.

Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone vs Charles "do Bronx" Oliviera
lightweight

Fight of the Night practically guaranteed here. Both men like to stand and trade, and have slick ground games to boot. Cerrone might have a bit of reach, but Oliviera is likely the more aggressive striker. A close fight, and though I like Cerrone a lot, "do Bronx" is simply a much more dynamic striker, and will outpoint him for a unanimous decision in what will truly be an outstanding fight.

Oliviera via Unanimous Decision

Duane "Bang" Ludwig vs. Amir Sadollah
welterweight

Another fight pitting two tough strikers against each other. Ludwig has the experience edge in spades, and is very tough to boot. Sadollah has a very technically sound Muay Thai game, but an underrated grappling skill set as well. While Ludwig has the seasoning, he also has the mileage, and his submission defense is probably his least developed area. If Sadollah gets frustrated early, he can and will get this fight to the ground, and try to get some ground and pound or a submission. This will be a fun fight either way, and could go in either direction. I'm taking youth and a more well rounded fighter in Sadollah getting the judges nod after three rounds.

Sadollah via Unanimous Decision

Jim Miller vs Ben "Smooth" Henderson
lightweight

There's a very good chance that the winner of this fight gets the next crack at the lightweight title. Former WEC champ Henderson looks to prove that he deserves a spot among the elite, while Miller tries to keep his impressive streak going. Henderson is just like his nickname suggests, smooth. A very fluid striking game, coupled with an impressive ground attack, and his seemingly impenetrable submission defense make him a tough nut to crack. Miller on the other hand, well, he's as game as they come. Black belt in BJJ, very accomplished wrestler, and always improving stand up, plus the desire to push the pace as long as necessary. This comes down to who can force the other to make a mistake. I think Miller is the better wrestler, and can get inside the reach of Henderson to work the body, and get him to the ground. He may not submit him, but he will punish him with ground and pound relentlessly and may even score some damage on the feet. While this will be a very entertaining fight, I see Miller getting his hand raised after three tough rounds.

Miller via Unanimous Decision

Dan "The Outlaw" Hardy vs Chris "Lights Out" Lytle
welterweight

This fight will be the one we should have had in March when Hardy fought Anthony Johnson. Two tough sluggers going toe to toe and trying to hand the other man his walking papers. Lytle has already announced that win or lose, this will be his last fight, but Hardy is on a three fight losing streak, and you gotta think that if he loses, he's gone. Hardy has a very nasty stand up game, with solid kicks, and sound boxing. His ground game is somewhat suspect though, and that may prove to be his downfall. Lytle never met a slugfest he didn't like, but his dirty little secret is that he has a fantastic ground game, and when he gets fights to the ground, he has a propensity to finish them. Lytle wants to go out with a bang, and Hardy will be more than happy to oblige him. For three rounds, these two will engage on the feet, and leave it all in the cage, and if Cerrone/Oliviera somehow produce a stinker, this fight wins Fight of the Night. It's tough to pick, but if Hardy can keep his hands up, and stick to peppering Lytle without leaving his chin out, he can win a decision.

Hardy via Split Decision