John Hathaway

Mixed martial arts career

Background and early career

Formerly an open-side flanker for local rugby team Hove RFC, Hathaway decided to make the transition to mixed martial arts after watching the Ultimate Fighting championship on television. He made his professional MMA debut on 25 June 2006, defeating his opponent via rear naked choke in the first round.

John Hathaway currently trains at London Shootfighters. Hathaway also trained in the US with American Top Team and 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

After signing a four fight deal, Hathaway was scheduled to fight undefeated Tom Egan at UFC 93. He made an impressive UFC debut, scoring a dominant first round TKO win over Egan via elbows.

Hathaway defeated the debuting Rick Story via unanimous decision at UFC 99.

Hathaway's next fight was against Paul Taylor at UFC 105. Hathaway won a unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26).

Hathaway then faced the biggest fight of his career as he fought Diego Sanchez on 29 May 2010 at UFC 114, in Sanchez' return to welterweight. In the first round, Hathaway dropped Sanchez with a knee to the head, as Sanchez attempted a takedown. Hathaway then dominated with ground and pound. The rest of the fight saw Hathaway utilize his reach advantage to dominate the striking, which gave him the unanimous decision victory.

Hathaway was expected to face Dong Hyun Kim at UFC 120, but Kim was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by Mike Pyle. Hathaway lost to Pyle via unanimous decision after being overmatched by the heavy underdog. This loss was also the first of his career.

Hathaway fought Kris McCray on 26 March 2011 at UFC Fight Night 24. The fight was closely contested throughout. However, Hathaway walked away the winner via split decision.

Hathaway was expected to face Pascal Krauss on 5 November 2011 at UFC 138. However, on 30 August Krauss pulled out of the bout citing a shoulder injury, and was replaced by Matt Brown. On 17 October, Hathaway himself was forced to pull out of the bout due to an undisclosed injury. As a result, Brown was pulled from the card and shifted to UFC 139.

Hathaway/Krauss took place on 5 May 2012 at UFC on Fox 3. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Hathaway beat John Maguire via unanimous decision on 29 September 2012 at UFC on Fuel TV 5.

Hathaway was expected to face Erick Silva on 8 June 2013 at UFC on Fuel TV 10. However, Hathaway was pulled from the bout in late April and replaced by Jason High.

Hathaway returned from his extended hiatus to face Dong Hyun Kim on 1 March 2014 at The Ultimate Fighter: China Finale. He lost the fight via third round knockout due to a spinning back elbow.

Hathaway was expected to face Gunnar Nelson on 11 July 2015 at UFC 189. However, Hathaway pulled out of the bout on 23 June citing injury, and was replaced by Brandon Thatch.

Return from retirement

After almost 8 years after his last bout, Hathaway made his return on October 15, 2022, at Oktagon 36 against André Ricardo. He won his return, dominating the bout for a unanimous decision victory.

Hathaway faced Łukasz Siwiec on June 17, 2023 at Oktagon 44, losing the bout via unanimous decision.

Catch wrestling career

During his MMA career, Hathaway became known for his wrestling ability. During his time away from MMA, he began competing in catch wrestling. In November 2018, Hathaway competed at Catch Wrestling World Championships hosted by The Snake Pit at the University of Bolton Stadium, winning the light heavyweight (90 kg) championship.

He returned for the 2019 World Championships, winning another championship, this time at middleweight (82 kg). Also at the event, Hathaway competed in a challenge match against Nathaniel Brown, a British medallist in freestyle wrestling, which Hathaway won. He received the Ian Bromley trophy as "best male wrestler of the night."

Due to postponements because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Snake Pit's next Catch Wrestling World Championships were held in June 2022. Hathaway competed again, winning the middleweight (82 kg) championship and receiving the Jack Carroll award for fastest win (by pin or submission) at the event.

Hathaway competed at the Snake Pit British Championships 2024, winning the light heavyweight (90 kg) championship, followed by the Snake Pit World Championships, where he was the middleweight (82 kg) runner-up.

Personal life

Hathaway was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in 2010. This prevented him from fighting from 2014 to 2022.

Championships and accomplishments

Catch wrestling

• The Snake Pit
  • Catch Wrestling World Championships
    • 2018 - Champion, light heavyweight (90 kg)
    • 2019 - Champion, middleweight (82 kg)
      • Ian Bromley trophy as "best male wrestler of the night"
    • 2022 - Champion, middleweight (82 kg)
      • Jack Carroll award for fastest win (by pin or submission)
    • 2024 - Runner-up, middleweight (82 kg)
  • Catch Wrestling British Championships
    • 2024 - Champion, light heavyweight (90 kg)

Mixed martial arts

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • UFC.com Awards
    • 2009: Ranked #9 Newcomer of the Year
    • 2010: Ranked #3 Upset of the Year vs. Diego Sanchez

Mixed martial arts record

| ko-wins= 5 | ko-losses= 1 | sub-wins= 4 | sub-losses= | dec-wins= 9 | dec-losses= 2 | dq-wins= | dq-losses= | other-wins=

| | Oberhausen, Germany | |- | Win | André Ricardo | Decision (unanimous) | Oktagon 36 | | Frankfurt, Germany | |- | Loss | Dong Hyun Kim | KO (spinning elbow) | The Ultimate Fighter China Finale: Kim vs. Hathaway | | Macau, SAR, China | |- | Win | John Maguire | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on Fuel TV: Struve vs. Miocic | | Nottingham, England | |- | Win | Pascal Krauss | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on Fox: Diaz vs. Miller | | East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States | |- | Win | Kris McCray | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Nogueira vs. Davis | | Seattle, Washington, United States | |- | Loss | Mike Pyle | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 120 | | London, England | |- | Win | Diego Sanchez | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 114 | | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- | Win | Paul Taylor | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 105 | | Manchester, England | |- | Win | Rick Story | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 99 | | Cologne, Germany | |- | Win | Tom Egan | TKO (elbows) | UFC 93 | | Dublin, Ireland | |- | Win | Jack Mason | Submission (punches) | Cage Rage 28 | | London, England | |- | Win | Richard Griffin | TKO (punches) | ZT Fight Night 12 | | Brighton, England | |- | Win | Marvin Arnold Bleau | TKO (punches) | Cage Rage 25 | | London, England | |- | Win | Tommy Maguire | TKO (punches) | Cage Rage Contenders 7 | | London, England | |- | Win | Charles Barbosa | Decision (unanimous) | Cage Rage Contenders 6 | | London, England | |- | Win | Tarcio Santana | Decision (unanimous) | Cage Rage Contenders 5 | | London, England | |- | Win | Sergei Ussanov | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Cage Rage Contenders 4 | | London, England | |- | Win | Ludovic Perez | Submission (punches) | ZT Fight Night 4 | | London, England | |- | Win | Wesley Felix | TKO (punches) | Full Contact Fight Night 3 | | Bracknell, England | |- | Win | Jim Morris | Submission (rear-naked choke) | ZT Fight Night 2 | | Sussex, England |

References

References

1. Sherdog. (2017). "John "The Hitman" Hathaway".
2. Granet, Chris. (13 January 2009). "UFC exclusive interview: John Hathaway on his debut against Thomas 'The Tank' Egan at UFC 93".
3. "John Hathaway vs. Rick Story officially added to UFC 99 | MMAjunkie.com".
4. (10 September 2009). "Report: Paul Taylor vs John Hathaway likely for UFC 105". mmajunkie.com.
5. "Diego Sanchez Returns to Welterweight Against John Hathaway at UFC 114". mmafrenzy.com.
6. "John Hathaway vs. Dong Hyun Kim expected for UFC 120 in October". fiveknuckles.com.
7. "Mike Pyle Replaces Injured Dong Hyun Kim, Will Face John Hathaway at UFC 120.". mmafighting.com.
8. (3 January 2011). "John Hathaway vs. Kris McCray Added to UFC Fight Night 24 in Seattle". mmaweekly.com.
9. (22 July 2011). "John Hathaway Draws Pascal Krauss for UFC 138 Fight Card in England". mmaweekly.com.
10. "Matt Brown replaces Pascal Krauss, meets John Hathaway at UFC 138". mmajunkie.com.
11. "After injuries, Brown-Baczynski at UFC 139". mmajunkie.com.
12. (6 February 2012). "John Hathaway vs Pascal Krauss booked for May 5 in New Jersey". mmamania.com.
13. "UFC: Nottingham Adds John Maguire vs. John Hathaway". mmaweekly.tv.
14. Mookie Alexander. (7 March 2013). "Erick Silva fights John Hathaway at TUF Brazil 2 Finale on June 8th". bloodyelbow.com.
15. Staff. (2013-04-25). "Jason High replaces John Hathaway, meets Erick Silva at UFC on FUEL TV 10". mmajunkie.com.
16. John Morgan. (2014-01-03). "John Hathaway vs. Dong Hyun Kim headlines 'TUF: China' finale on March 1 in Macau". mmajunkie.com.
17. Gene Morosko. (2014-03-01). "Dong Hyun Kim knocks out John Hathaway with spinning back elbow". mmamania.com.
18. Tristen Crichfield. (2015-04-01). "UFC 189 Update: Gunnar Nelson-John Hathaway welterweight bout set for July 11". sherdog.com.
19. Matt Erickson. (2015-06-23). "Brandon Thatch meets Gunnar Nelson at UFC 189, John Howard now gets Cathal Pendred". mmajunkie.com.
20. (2022-10-09). "Oktagon 36 features five former UFC fighters, including return of John Hathaway".
21. Samano, Simon. (2022-10-15). "John Hathaway dominates Andre Ricardo in long-awaited comeback fight at Oktagon 36".
22. FightBookMMA. (2023-06-20). "OKTAGON 44 Results: Pavol Langer completes his underdog story to win interim belt".
23. (November 12, 2009). "Brits Taylor, Hathaway square off at home".
24. Davies, Gareth A.. (2010-05-27). "UFC 114: Britain's John Hathaway looking to shine against Ultimate Fighter Diego Sanchez".
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26. (2018-11-03). "Catch Wrestling World Championships 2018".
27. (November 15, 2018). "Wigan's Snakepit wrestling club celebrates anniversary".
28. (2019-07-30). "Catch Wrestling World Championships 2019".
29. (2022-06-05). "Catch Wrestling World Championships 2022".
30. (2024-05-24). "THE SNAKEPIT BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIPS 2024".
31. (2024-10-07). "Snake Pit World Championships 2024".
32. (2024-09-14). "Catch Wrestling World Championship 2024 Full Results And Review".
33. "Crohn's Disease couldn't keep John Hathaway out of the Octagon forever".
34. Thomas Gerbasi. (December 18, 2009). "Ten Best – The Newcomers of 2009". [[Ultimate Fighting Championship]].
35. Thomas Gerbasi. (December 15, 2010). "Ten Best – The Upsets of 2010". [[Ultimate Fighting Championship]].