UFC 114 Preview: The Main Card

Diego Sanchez vs. John Hathaway

Sanchez’s ongoing quest for a UFC title picks up where it started, as he returns to the welterweight ranks after a lightweight run ended in a one-sided loss to B.J. Penn. The deluge of dominating wrestlers populating the welterweight ranks were a constant roadblock for Sanchez the first time around, and he faces the same challenges in Hathaway.

A converted rugby player, Hathaway has developed the sort of rugged ground-and-pound style that Jon Fitch used to edge Sanchez at UFC 76. However, Hathaway is not an elite wrestler and does not have the base to stuff Sanchez’s guard. Because Hathaway does not hold position well, he can be easily swept, as evidenced by his bout with Rick Story. There, he squandered multiple dominant positions.

Sanchez presents an entirely different challenge, as his slashing elbows and offensive guard work make him difficult to contain. Beyond that, Sanchez will be at least as good a wrestler as Hathaway and actually has more explosion on his leg attacks. The clinch could prove a virtual stalemate since both fighters rely more on brute strength than technique to score takedowns from the Greco-Roman tie-up.

Should the wrestling reach a standstill, the fight turns significantly in Sanchez’s favor, as his striking, albeit rehearsed, remains far more refined than Hathaway’s. Known mostly for his left high kick and one-two boxing combinations, Sanchez has added knees and a slick uppercut to his inside game, which gives him more options than Hathaway on the feet. Save for some straight punches and the occasional lead knee, Hathaway does not have much standing offense to offer, and his defense looks wide open in comparison to Sanchez, who keeps his hands high and tight.

While Sanchez remains vulnerable to counterpunches because of his predictable striking, Hathaway lacks the technique and hand speed to parry his offense. Want a good example of how this fight shapes up? Check out Sanchez’s fight with Clay Guida, as he was able to step inside with strikes because he did not have to worry about getting countered. Sanchez is at his best when he can cut loose with strikes without regard for takedowns from someone who can neutralize his grappling.

At just 22, Hathaway will eventually develop into a top-flight welterweight; his natural talent for combining Brazilian jiu-jitsu with ground-and-pound is too great to expect anything less. Still, this does not look like a particularly winnable fight for him, as Sanchez has the better offensive skills and a significant grappling advantage that will make Hathaway’s usual ground-and-pound approach far more difficult. Like any proper rugby player, Hathaway has proven tougher than the Texas penal system, but that will only keep him in the fight long enough to end up on the short end of a unanimous decision.