via mixedmartialsharts.com

In an interview with MMAJunkie, UFC welterweight Mike "Quicksand" Pyle had some direct words for his UFC 120 opponent, undefeated British prospect John Hathaway.  Pyle also said in the interview that it’s no big deal if he can’t get the fight to the ground, and that he could "knock the kid out" like he almost did to his last opponent (Jesse Lennox).  The 34-year Team Quest fighter is considered to be one of the best welterweight submission artists in the sport, but has had mixed results since joining the UFC in 2009 – with impressive submission wins over Lennox and Chris Wilson, but disappointing stoppage losses to welterweight wrecking balls Jake Ellenberger and Brock Larson.

This fight could easily be considered a make or break fight for "Quicksand", who will more than likely be thought of as nothing more than a mid-tier gatekeeper if he can’t seal the deal and put and end to the "Hitman’s" impressive 14-0 run – which includes dominant UFC performances over Diego Sanchez, Rick Story, Paul Taylor, and Tom Egan.

What say you?  Can Pyle make the jump up to the next level and solidify himself as a top contender in the UFC, or is Hathaway’s youth, skill, and desire for supremacy going to force Pyle to sink back down to the pits of the stacked UFC welterweight division, or possibly even out of the organization?