UFC Live: Hardy vs. Lytle Preview—Why You Should Watch

Coming off a dramatic card at UFC Live: Kongo vs. Barry, which included Pennsylvania native Charlie Brenneman upseting welterweight standout Rick Story and Cheick Kongo return from the brink of defeat to knockout Pat Barry, the UFC returns to Versus with UFC Live: Hardy vs. Lytle.

While UFC Live: Kongo vs. Barry was hampered with injuries and controversy, the likes of which included the cut of perennial middleweight contender Nate Marquardt right before his welterweight debut, Hardy vs. Lytle has all the potential to make for a great card.

The card is headlined by a bout between welterweight fan favorites Dan Hardy and Chris Lytle.

Add to that a fight between lightweight contenders Jim Miller and former WEC Lightweight Champion Ben Henderson and another fight between lightweight contenders Charles Oliveira and Donald Cerrone, then the main card becomes increasingly important.

Battle of Soon to Be Contenders

At UFC Live: Hardy vs. Lytle, former WEC Lightweight number one contender Donald Cerrone will face off against the young and fast rising talent, Charles Oliveira.

Well versed both on the ground and standing, Donald Cerrone established himself in the WEC as one of the organization's top lightweights.

Finally in the UFC, he enters a crowded division riddled with talent and full of competition. Having won his first two fights in the UFC, Cerrone looks to cement a spot in the UFC's elite class of lightweights against Oliveira.

Armed with some devastating muay thai, the likes of which he displayed on replacement Vagner Rocha at UFC 131 and some slick submission skill, "Cowboy" is seemingly never in a boring bout.

Against Oliveira, he'll be facing an equally skilled and well rounded youth with dynamic striking and his own set of versatile submissions.

If the fight stays standing, the two could conduct a muay thai clinic and on the ground, its almost a wash and they could negate each other in the submission department.

In regards to the lightweight division, the pair are practically on the verge of breaking the top ten. Whoever walks away with the win here can be expected to take on a bigger name soon.

Jim Miller Almost at a Title Shot

Jim Miller will seemingly not be denied his shot at UFC Lightweight Championship.

Since his last defeat two years ago to number one contender Gray Maynard at UFC 96, Miller has been on a tear through the division. He's gone through the likes of Mac Danzig, Mark Bocek, Gleison Tibau, Charles Oliveira and most recently Kamal Shalorus.

Miller's only two defeats in his 22 fight career have come at the hands of Maynard and the champ Frankie Edgar.

Come UFC Live, he'll be going up against arguably his most important opponent since Maynard, former WEC Lightweight Champion Ben Henderson.

Up until his championship loss to Anthony Pettis at the final WEC event ever, WEC 53, Henderson had gone undefeated in his last 10 bouts and undefeated in the WEC.

After his loss to Pettis, he rebounded in his UFC debut, defeating Mark Bocek in a unanimous decision victory. Now back in the mix at 155, Henderson will be facing the man many consider to be next in line for the title.

If he can beat Miller, he can derail his hopes for a title shot and steal the huge momentum Miller is carrying with him.

If Miller wins, he'll have more than enough reason to get the winner of the long awaited Edgar vs. Maynard III.

Either way, this is another big bout for the lightweight division.

The Last Stand of "The Outlaw"?

At UFC Live: Hardy vs. Lytle, Dan Hardy's job will most definitely be on the line.

Having already defied the MMA gods by remaining in the UFC after three straight losses, Hardy could be staring at possibly his fourth straight loss against one of the sport's toughest fighters in Chris Lytle.

Lytle, coming off a loss of his own to Brian Ebersole at UFC 127 had gone on a four fight win streak prior to that and has nothing to lose against Hardy.

Hardy has a tall task to accomplish, having hit two straight losses following his unsuccessful attempt at the title at UFC 111.

Granted Hardy lost to top level competition in former WEC Welterweight Champ Carlos Condit and Anthony Johnson, he was given another chance in his bout against Lytle.

However, if there is one sure thing in this fight, its that it surely won't be boring. Hardy, an avid fan of the stand up and Lytle an opponent more than willing to oblige.

For Hardy though, he sure didn't make things easy.

Lytle, a five time Fight of the Night winner, Knockout of the Night winner and two time Submission of the Night winner is definitely a difficult challenge and a true test for a desperate Hardy.

If he wins, he'll keep his job in the UFC. If not it will most likely be the end of "The Outlaw's" run.

Expect him to come out guns blazing though and expect nothing less from Lytle either.