A fight between two hard-hitting strikers in the welterweight division has been added to UFC 146.

UFC officials have confirmed a bout between former-title challenger Dan Hardy (23-10 MMA, 4-4 UFC) and Muay Thai specialist Duane Ludwig (21-12 MMA, 4-3 UFC) for the May event.

UFC 146 takes place May 26 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.  Headlining the event is a heavyweight championship fight between title-holder Junior dos Santos and challenger Alistair Overeem.  The main card will air live on pay-per-view, with preliminary bouts likely airing on FX or FUEL TV.

Hardy will look to save his UFC career after dropping four consecutive bouts.  "The Outlaw" began his time in the Octagon by winning four straight fights.  The streak was capped by a decision-win over Mike Swick in a title-eliminator bout. 

After coming up short to Georges St-Pierre in a failed title bid, the Brit was then knocked out by Carlos Condit in his next fight.  He has since followed that up with losses to Anthony Johnson and Chris Lytle.  A loss would be Hardy's fifth in a row and would most-surely lead to his release from the UFC.

Owner of the fastest knockout in UFC history, Ludwig will also look to get back to the win column.  "Bang" returned to the UFC in 2010 after a four-year hiatus from the promotion.  He lost back-to-back fights to Jim Miller and Darren Elkins, putting his job in jeopardy. 

Ludwig then moved up to welterweight where he reeled off two consecutive wins over Nick Osipczak and Amir Sadollah.  However, in his most recent bout, Ludwig was submitted by Josh Neer.

It is currently unknown if Hardy vs. Ludwig will be a part of the preliminary card or main card.

(Pictured: Dan Hardy)