UFC 99 Preview: The Prelims

Dennis Siver vs. Dale Hartt

The Breakdown: After conquering Corey Hill’s leg last year, Hartt looks to keep the fortune flowing against Germany’s favorite adopted son in Siver. Truth be told, Hartt was well on his way to losing that fight with Hill and Siver poses many of the same problems style-wise. Namely, Siver’s striking is lights out and his powerful, compact frame makes him just as difficult to take down. Unless Hartt is ready to come in with a new wrinkle to his game, he could find himself on Siver’s highlight reel.

The X Factor: Hartt has the chin and tenacity to keep coming after Siver, and if he keeps coming after him with takedowns, he’ll eventually force Siver to live or die by his guard. If Hartt can take Siver’s thunder on the feet -- no small challenge -- he’ll have plenty of chances to turn the tables and make himself public enemy no. 1 in the hearts and minds of the German locals.

The Bottom Line: This won’t be pretty for anyone except Siver fans and the odd sadist: Hartt will be overmatched from the onset. It won’t get any better as Siver starts swinging for the fences and piling up the damage on Hartt. Hartt’s chin and fighting spirit will keep him upright until Siver puts a long overdue exclamation point on the proceedings in the third round.