After an unsuccessful title bid in the lightweight division, Diego “Nightmare” Sanchez is set to return to 170 pounds and may face undefeated British prospect John “The Hitman” Hathaway at UFC 114. Sanchez confirmed plans for the fight earlier today.

In his first welterweight run, Sanchez lost just twice in ten UFC bouts before dropping down to challenge for the promotion’s 155-pound title. Hathaway has emerged as one of the top prospects to watch for in the division and has been victorious in all three of his UFC appearances.

Sanchez (21-3-0) rose to fame as the winner of the original season of The Ultimate Fighter and reigned undefeated through his first 17 fights. Successive decision losses to Josh Koscheck and Jon Fitch derailed Sanchez’s welterweight title hopes, but he picked up two more wins at 170 pounds before dropping down in weight. Decision wins over former title challenger Joe “Daddy” Stevenson and one-time Strikeforce champ Clay “The Carpenter” Guida set up a UFC Lightweight Championship bout against “The Prodigy” BJ Penn, but Sanchez was dominated en route to a fifth-round doctor stoppage loss.

Hathaway (12-0-0) made his name in the former Cage Rage promotion and competed until its closure in late 2008. He made his UFC debut at UFC 93 in Ireland and stopped Tom Egan with elbows in the first round. He has since picked up decision wins over Ricky “The Horror” Story and “Relentless” Paul Taylor, but has yet to compete inside the Octagon at a North American event. Should he challenge Sanchez at UFC 114, Hathaway will travel to Las Vegas for the fight. Hathaway has finished eight of his 12 opponents to date and a victory over Sanchez would immediately vault him into contender status.

UFC 114 takes place on May 29th at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event is rumoured to be headlined by a light heavyweight grudge match between Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and “Sugar” Rashad Evans.

(Photo Credit: Sherdog.com)