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Hathaway eyes Matt Brown v Mike Swick winner

John Hathaway has told ESPN that the winner of Matt Brown v Mike Swick might prove a more interesting fight for him than Matt Riddle, and he would be happy to go abroad to get the match-up.

On the day of the UFC's announcement that the promotion will host an event at Wembley Arena on February 16, speculation has already exploded over which British fighters will appear on the UK card.

Hathaway recently sent a direct tweet to UFC president Dana White asking for Riddle, after his fans voted the American as the No. 1 opponent they want him to face. However, the Hitman is looking up the welterweight ladder.

"Riddle's not the only opponent. I'll be looking closely at Mike Swick v Matt Brown coming up [at UFC on Fox 5," Hathaway told the ESPN UFC Podcast. "I was supposed to fight Matt Brown at one point, they're both experienced fighters and if I can grab the winner of that, it'd be a great fight.

"We'd be able to make it a great fight, whether it be Mr Brown or Mike Swick. We'd be able to make it a real fight for the fans."

Elaborating on the Riddle situation, Hathaway said he would be happy to dish out a beating on behalf of the UK, after Riddle criticised the British public. And he also said this is unlikely to be the start of him calling out a list of future opponents.

"The problem is, if you call enough people out, you eventually land yourself in trouble," Hathaway said. "So if I get the Riddle fight, this would be that fight for him. It's great calling people out, but you get found out on the day.

"Riddle's been talking a lot about British fighters and he's fought a couple of us, including my last opponent. I thought it was time to fight him and stop him talking so much."

Should Hathaway land a fight with Brown, Swick or Riddle, there will be great interest in the location of his next bout. And Hathaway confessed he enjoys the solo-minded nature of fighting abroad.

"I'd happily fight in the UK, in London, but I also love fighting abroad in America, in Vegas. I've fought in Europe and Seattle as well and they were great experiences for me, so I'm more than happy to fight over there.

"It's far more focused, it's like a job, you're going over there to do your work."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.