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Hathaway plans to fight more in 2012

John Hathaway is ready for Matt Brown © Damien Davis

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English welterweight John Hathaway has issued a statement of intent by admitting he plans to spend plenty more time in the Octagon come 2012.

At the age of 24, Hathaway is one of Britain's brightest MMA talents having already fought six times under the UFC umbrella. The London Shootfighters man has won five of those bouts, and he plans to make that six at UFC 138.

Hathaway will make only his second appearance of the year when he takes on Matt Brown in Birmingham, having previously beaten Kris McCray in March.

The Brit has been carefully adding to his game since he shot to stardom with a win over Diego Sanchez back in May 2010, knowing practice is the only way to avoid a repeat of the defeat he suffered against Mike Pyle. That loss came in Hathaway's last appearance on home soil, and he is keen to ensure inexperience is not something that affects him again in the future.

Hathaway has been known to fight as many as four times in a 12-month period, as he did back in 2007, and he admits - in an ideal world - he would boast a similar schedule in the UFC. However, with a tough opponent like Brown to come, Hathaway confesses sometimes it takes time to prepare the perfect performance.

"It just happens that way, you just take the fights you get given," Hathaway told ESPN, having taken time out of training to demo new fightwear brand LUTA. "It's the time in between the fights that you try to improve most in.

"It takes a lot to get ready for a fight. It's fine by me to only fight two this year, but I'll definitely try to fight three or four next year."

Hathaway expects to produce one of his best career performances against Brown, having taken measures outside of the Octagon to improve his preparations. "I've finally moved up nearer London to be closer to my London Shootfighters gym now," he said. "That really helps me when it comes to eating the right food etc."

John Hathaway is an ambassador for LUTA Clothing. LUTA uses the most advanced performance fabrics and technology to meet the needs of multi-disciplined fighters and those serious about getting fit. Find out more at www.luta.co.uk

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.