• UFC 120

Pyle would trouble Fitch and Alves claims Hardy

Mike Pyle is a highly dangerous welterweight © Getty Images

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John Hathaway faces a tougher opponent than Diego Sanchez when he meets Mike Pyle at UFC 120, according to fellow Brit Dan Hardy.

Hathaway has built an undefeated 14-0 record in his MMA career, but it was victory over Sanchez in his last outing that truly put him on the welterweight map. Sanchez had beaten Joe Stevenson and Clay Guida in his previous two fights, but he walked onto an early knee against Hathaway and finished on the end of one-sided decision.

The Briton's next challenge was initially meant to be Dong-Hyun Kim, but after the South Korean pulled out through injury he was replaced by Pyle - a lesser name in the eyes of the casual MMA fan. However, Hardy has spent several weeks training with Pyle, and he predicts the submissions dangerman will soon be troubling the top fighters in the division.

"He's legitimately a tough guy. I trained with him at Xtreme Couture and he is an extremely talented fighter. He's underestimated because people haven't heard much about him," Hardy told ESPN.

"It's gonna be a great test for John, and at this stage of his career he needs it. This is the toughest fight of his career.

"Certainly with the other fighters he will get massive credit for winning. Beating Pyle would certainly turn heads in the division. But career-wise, he won't get so much credit because Sanchez is more well known. But in the hardcore community of MMA, people know how good Mike Pyle is.

"I think Pyle could be a serious contender. I'd be interested to see him fight Jon Fitch, Josh Koscheck and Thiago Alves. I really think he'd trouble them. I was massively impressed with him in the gym. It's just unfortunate that in his fights he's had a few poor performances, but now he's in the UFC he's developing some speed."

Meanwhile, Marshall Zelaznik has given his thoughts on the potential road ahead for Hathaway, insisting the high class wrestler would benefit from several more fights before he thinks about a shot at the title.

"I would guess it is still a little too soon for him," Zelaznik told ESPN. "He's had some good challenges in the UFC and has done really well, but he reminds me a little of Terry Etim.

"Etim won a few on the bounce before his loss [Rafael Dos Anjos], but you want to see these guys develop their skills before being thrown into a title fight too early."

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