UFC Live: Hardy vs. Lytle: Why Donald Cerrone Should Be in the Title Picture

At UFC Live: Hardy vs. Lytle, top contender Jim Miller will square off against former WEC Lightweight Champion Ben Henderson in a bout that has the potential to either guarantee Miller a title shot, or shift the entire division's landscape should he lose. 

However, Donald Cerrone will face Charles Oliveira in another lightweight tilt that could see Cerrone break into the UFC's elite lightweight ranks should he win.

"Cowboy" seems intent on earning his way into the title picture, especially after establishing himself as a perennial contender in the WEC's lightweight division for years.

Now, post WEC / UFC merger, Cerrone is part of what is arguably the most talent-ridden and crowded divisions in all of MMA, let alone the UFC.

So talented is the lightweight division that even another top-five talent in Kenny Florian, as well as former number one contender Joe Stevenson and stand out Tyson Griffin, all dropped down to featherweight in order to better their chances at winning a title.

With a seemingly endless roster of talent, ranging from powerful wrestlers like Gray Maynard, to dangerous strikers like Dennis Siver, to even submission artists like George Sotiropoulos, the division boasts more than enough challenges to help mold a true champion.

Cerrone has the talent and fighting style that really should make him a force to be reckoned with in the division, but he just hasn't had the right opponent to showcase it against, until now.

Going 2-0 since his debut in the UFC, Cerrone gave UFC fans a little taste of what he made his name with in the WEC, showing off some of his slick submission work against Paul Kelly at UFC 126, then following it up with a devastating muay thai clinic, en route to a unanimous decision victory at UFC 131.

Amongst a group of wrestlers the likes of which gave even Kenny Florian trouble, Cerrone possesses a style which is both entertaining and effective.

Much like Florian, Cerrone shows a level of proficiency on the ground, though not nearly as refined as Florian's, in addition to some kickboxing, which packs more power than "Ken-Flo's".

The difference is that with Cerrone you get a much larger and stronger fighter with a more aggressive style of attack.

Cerrone's striking is strong enough to cause fits for many of the division's elite, and he is durable enough to stand with even the Melvin Guillards. Should the fight go to the ground, Cerrone is more than strong enough to hold his own and even pull off a submission. 

Lastly, "Cowboy" is just what his nickname hints at -- a somewhat brash and rough around the edges fighter with a gung ho attitude and a penchant for coming to fight.

Unlike the modest and soft-spoken Frankie Edgar or the extremely focused and borderline stoic Gray Maynard, Cerrone adds that bit of spice that makes for interesting trash talk amongst elites, something we caught a glimpse of before his bout with Mac Danzig was scrapped.

On August 14, Cerrone will be up against an equally well-rounded and entertaining young prospect in Oliveira, but given Oliveira's exciting style, Cerrone should have no problem making a case for himself in what could potentially be a candidate for Fight of the Night.

If he wins in Milwaukee  on August 14, expect to see Cerrone's name creep into the top ten rankings soon after.