• UFC on Versus

Paul Kelly continues British race for maiden UFC title

Chris Park, mmatorch.com
July 31, 2010
Paul Kelly is in the form of his career © UFC
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This Sunday at UFC on Versus 2, Team Kaobon lightweight Paul Kelly will look to make it four wins out of five when he takes on tough Minnesotan Jacob Volkmann.

Volkmann poses a real threat to Kelly having lost only twice in his career, on both occasions at 170lbs to two of the division's top contenders in Martin Kampann and Paulo Thiago. Despite Visa issues delaying Kelly's availability for this match-up's original slating at UFC 116, Kelly will enter Sunday's clash riding a full wave of momentum. Bouncing back from his TKO loss to teak-tough German Dennis Siver, Kelly submitted the highly regarded Matt Veach last April at UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi.

Veach went into that bout coming off the first loss of his professional career, against current champion Frankie Edgar, and it was that victory that handed Edgar his title shot at the legendary B.J Penn. A win over Volkmann this weekend would give Kelly two straight victories over hugely respected wrestlers, and it would likely see him promoted to a clash with one of the top ranked lightweights for arguably the first time.

The percentage of UK fighters on the UFC roster continues to grow, building on the path laid down by the likes of Kelly and Michael Bisping half a decade ago. And while Bisping re-climbs the middleweight ladder and Dan Hardy aims to start a fresh challenge for 170lb title, there is the very real possibility that a young, fresh challenger could slip through the middle and claim the much cavorted status of being crowned Britain's first ever UFC champion.

With that in mind the question is raised: Which of the UK's rising stars could be the first to wear the most prestigious belt in all of MMA?

The three fighters that instantly stand out as real contenders are the highly regarded lightweight Terry Etim, "The Ultimate Fighter" season 9 winner Ross Pearson, and the latest sensation to fight out of the UK, John "the Hitman" Hathaway.

Since making his debut at UFC 70 in April 2007, Etim has gone about his business in a relatively quiet manner. Following four straight victories Etim was rewarded with his first match-up on a televised PPV show when he was paired with Rafael Dos Anjos at UFC 112. Going into the highest-profile fight of his career, UFC UK president Marshall Zelaznik spoke of Etim and suggested that the Team Kaobon star may be within just three fights of a title shot - should he get past Dos Anjos.

After a fairly positive start, Etim succumbed to the class and experience of Dos Anjos, eventually losing via submission due to an armbar at the end of the second round. While Etim will have a small amount of re-building to do, a big win over Joe Lauzon at UFC 118 on August 28 would put him right back in the mix.

John Hathaway's wrestling pedigree is exceptional © UFC
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Pearson has continued to impress since winning the lightweight TUF 9 tournament in June 2009. Defeating Andre Winner at the season finale, Pearson raised the bar for UK fighters and followed up on that win with a hugely impressive performance against seasoned veteran Aron Riley at UFC 105.

His next appearance was possibly the most impressive and versatile display of his career, defeating German kickboxer Dennis Siver at Fight Night 21. Pearson will now take on jiu-jitsu ace Cole Miller on September 15. A victory would likely set Pearson up for an assault of the top ten lightweights in the UFC.

Last but not least, John Hathaway has progressed onto the world stage over the past 12 months and continues to both improve and impress in the UFC. Three straight victories saw Hathaway jetted out to Las Vegas to face the original "Ultimate Fighter" Diego Sanchez, in only the fourth appearance of the Brit's UFC career. Not only was the fight a significant step up in competition, it was the first time that Hathaway had competed in America, and for that matter the first time he had even fought on a live PPV card.

Hathaway showed no signs of nerves, youth or weakness as he picked Sanchez apart en route to an extremely lop-sided unanimous decision. Hathaway will next face former WEC champion Mike Pyle at UFC 120 at the London O2 Arena, and victory there would catapult the London Shootfighter towards the championship end of the welterweight division.

At only 22 years old, Hathaway may just be well rounded enough to work his way to the very top. While the seemingly invincible Georges St-Pierre looks set to stay around for now, much to the frustration of the division's top contenders, the likelihood is that "Rush" will have moved on to new pastures by the time Hathaway has earned his shot at gold.

With St-Pierre out of the way and Hathaway continuing to evolve upon his exceptional wrestling base, the Brit could stand a real chance of one day claiming the welterweight championship and becoming the first British fighter to hold a UFC championship belt. With ever-improving stand-up, relentless cardio and superb work ethic, Hathaway has a lot of dangerous weapons in his arsenal. One huge advantage he holds over most UK-based fighters is his high level grappling ability.

Wrestling is traditionally the main area where British fighters fall down, but with his strong rugby background Hathaway has transitioned perfectly to this aspect of MMA, and it could prove the vital difference if he is to stick his head above the parapet as the future figurehead of British MMA.

Chris Park is mmatorch.com's UK specialist. Click here to read original article.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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