UFC on Versus 5 featured plenty of ground action not just in the four matches ending in submissions but practically throughout the entire card. Frenetic bouts, even without any true marquee names – it was one of the best installments from the promotion this season.
In the evening’s main event, Chris Lytle showed just why he’s been the beneficiary of fight of the night bonuses five times. Boxing defined the fight throughout. Lytle had the advantage, but Dan Hardy had his moments as well. In the third round Hardy tried to mount a comeback, but Lytle responded with a snug guillotine, coaxing the Englishman to tap out.
The only thing missing from the showdown between Ben Henderson and Jim Miller was a fireworks show. While Ben landed solid takedowns and put in a fine display of standup, Miller presented real danger with his submission attempts, even pressuring his opponent’s knee. But Henderson slipped out of the holds and brought on an aggressive barrage of ground and pound. The final round saw him achieve back mount, nearly making it to full mount. A well-deserved win for the Jiu-Jitsu brown belt, who put a stop on Miller’s seven-fight win streak.
Donald Cerrone showed just why he was favored to win going into his fight with Charles do Bronx. Cerrone shrugged off takedown attempts and was effective in the standup department. One of Cerrone’s strikes found its mark and sent Charles to the ground, where he tried pulling guard but was met with a barrage of strikes that forced referee Mario Yamasaki to step in and end the action.
In the undercard, Brazil’s Ronny Markes, making his promotional debut, took a well deserved win with a solid display of positional Jiu-Jitsu. Ronny held his own with Karlos Vemola in the standup action and made good use of takedowns throughout the three rounds. On the ground, it was all the Brazilian, who controlled his opponent through positional superiority, earning him the unanimous decision win after three rounds.
Jimmy Hettes and Alex Caceres had an eye-pleasing bout, featuring lively ground-fighting action. After plenty of back-and-forth action, Hettes ended the spectacle with a rear-naked choke in the second round. Cole Miller and TJ O’Brien had an exciting second round. Miller got the better of the action, though, when he sung a snug guillotine in the second. Ed Herman came up with a submission win of his own, taking out Kyle Noke with a heel hook while still in the first round.
Chris Lytle defeated Dan Hardy via guillotine at 4:16 min of R3
Ben Henderson defeated Jim Miller via unanimous decision
Donald Cerrone defeated Charles Oliveira via TKO at 3:01 min of R1
Duane Ludwig defeated Amir Sadollah via unanimous decision
Jared Hamman defeated C.B. Dollaway via TKO at 3:38 min of R2
Joseph Benavidez defeated Eddie Wineland via unanimous decision
Ed Herman submitted Kyle Noke via heelhook at 4:15 min of R1
Ronny Markes defeated Karlos Vemola via unanimous decision
Jimy Hettes submitted Alex Caceres via rear-naked choke at 3:12 min of R2
Cole Miller submitted TJ O’Brien via guilltine at 2:38 min of R2
Jacob Volkmann defeated Danny Castillo via unanimous decision
Edwin Figueroa defeated Jason Reinhardt via TKO at 0.50 min of R2