UFN 24 – John Hathaway counts himself lucky as he pulls out a split decision win over Kris McCray in Seattle

UK welterweight stand-out, John Hathaway almost misfired again tonight at UFC Fight Night 24 in Seattle, Washington, after he scored a somewhat fortunate split decision win over Kris McCray on the Facebook preliminary card portion of the evening.
Both men flurry in to begin with but land nothing significant. McCray wit a nice leg kick and a bunch of wild swings. McCray pushes Hathaway up against the fence and lands the knee to the legs. McCray looks for the takedown but Hathaway drops down for a foot lock. He loses it and McCray winds up in top position and looks to go to work. Hathaway uses the fence to return to his feet but McCray gets his licks in on the way up. Hathaway throws a knee but McCray catches it and returns him to the canvas. Hathaway back up to his feet but he can’t shake McCray off at this stage. McCray again takes the Brit down to the ground and goes to work with effective striking. Nice elbows from the bottom from Hathaway before eating a big kick to the body as he gets back up. Hathaway lands a nice knee and a hook to end the round. MMABay scores the round 10-9 McCray.
Hathaway lands a nice right to begin the round before pushing the American up against the fence. Hathaway gains the takedown but McCray quickly pops up. The pair exchange again and once again McCray catches the knee and takes the Brit to the ground. Hathaway goes for a triangle before switching to an armbar but McCray pops out and goes to work from the guard. Hathaway pushes him off after a few seconds but McCray stays on him and pushes him up against the fence. Hathaway breaks free and goes for a takedown of his own but he just can’t get it right now. McCray shoots for a takedown but doesn’t get it but reverses a takedown from Hathaway and gains the mount. The buzzer saves the Brit. MMABay scores the round 10-9 McCray.
Hathaway lands a knee to begin the third before securing a takedown. Elbows from Hathaway land as he ups the pace knowing he’s behind. McCray sweeps the Brit and winds up in top position but he can’t keep him down for long. Knee to the body by Hathaway before he scores with another takedown. Hathaway goes to work from the guard but surely he needs to advance. McCray back to his feet and the pair throw down again. Hathaway pushes him up against the fence and scores with another takedown. Punches land from Hathaway to end the third round and the fight. MMABay scores the round 10-9 Hathaway. The judges scored the bout 29-28, 28-29, 29-28 in favour of Hathaway.