UFC on Versus 5 officially headlined by Dan Hardy vs. Chris Lytle; tickets on sale June 11

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

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While the UFC has been revealing a number of fights for their first ever event in the state of Wisconsin this August, the card is now official with Dan Hardy and Chris Lytle taking the main event slot of UFC on Versus 5.

The event takes place from the Bradley Center in Milwaukee on Sunday, August 14, and airs live on the Versus network.

UFC officials revealed on Thursday the four-fight televised card, which includes a lightweight bout between Jim Miller and Ben Henderson, along with a light heavyweight bout between Stephen Bonnar and Karlos Vemola and a welterweight fight in Amir Sadollah vs. Duane "Bang" Ludwig.

"Dan Hardy and Chris Lytle want to stand toe-to-toe until someone falls and that's a recipe for an outstanding fight," UFC President Dana White said. "This is the fight both guys wanted, so the fans in Milwaukee are in for a treat. The Miller-Henderson fight should be equally exciting since both guys love to come forward and press the action. We can't wait to host our first event in Wisconsin this summer."

Hardy headlines the card despite coming into the fight on a three-fight losing streak. Hardy's slide started with a Welterweight Title fight against Georges St. Pierre last March. After losing a five round decision, Hardy was then knocked out by Carlos Condit last October and then dropped a decision to Anthony "Rumble" Johnson in March. In Lytle, Hardy believes he's got an opponent tailor-made for a fan-friendly fight after two of those losses resulted in less-than-exciting affairs.

"This is the fight I've wanted and it's the fight the fans wanted," said Hardy. "Fans don't like boring fights. They want two guys in there who are willing to go to battle. Chris Lytle always comes to fight, so this won't be a boring fight. I can guarantee that."

Lytle, a veteran of more than 60 fights, returns to action for the first time since having a four-fight winning streak snapped in February. After working his way back into contention in the division, Lytle suffered a surprising decision loss to Brian Ebersole at UFC 127 in Australia.

"I don't like to take a fight unless I know it can potentially be the best, most exciting one of my career," said Lytle. "This fight has the potential to be that and more. I'm on a seek-and-destroy mission and I know that Dan is, too. I'm really excited for this fight."

Tickets for the event go on sale to the general public next Saturday, June 11. UFC Fight Club members get their first crack at tickets on Thursday, June 9, with UFC Newsletter subscribers getting a presale on Friday, June 10. Ticket prices range from $50-$250.

Penick's Analysis: I'm a little disappointed to see this fight get the headlining slot. Hardy has lost three straight, and isn't going to be a draw in Milwaukee. Lytle as well isn't a local fighter, so it's not going to be a big draw in that respect, either. The UFC is likely banking on the fact that it's their first event in the state so they'll get a big turnout regardless, but this is one of their least headline-worthy fights in some time, even for a free card. Miller vs. Henderson should probably have gotten consideration for that slot, as it's a much more relevant fight and Henderson has headlined numerous cards on Versus, so this is just a curious choice to me to put on top of the event. The fight itself is fine, it's just the placement on the card that doesn't make a ton of sense.

[Dan Hardy art by Cory Gould (c) MMATorch.com]

Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/UFC_2/article_9509.shtml

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