Brad ‘One Punch’ Pickett, a pioneer for British MMA in the lighter weights classes, will retire from competition on his terms this year, the UFC confirmed this morning.
After featuring in the opposite corner when Urijah Faber signed off on his own Hall of Fame career in California last month, Pickett will say farewell to the Octagon with a fight on home turf at UFC Fight Night 107 in London on March 18th.
Picket’’s 40th pro fight will be against touch Mexican Henry Briones at The O2, on a card stacked with British talent. Birmingham bangers Leon Edwards and Tom Breese will be joined by Manchester’s Marc Diakiese, Londoner Darren Stewart and Luton’s Arnold Allen on the undercard, while Yorkshire’s Scott Askham will go toe-to-toe with Bath’s Bradley Scott.
Londoner light heavyweight Jimi Manuwa is rumored to be headlining the card, likely in a matchup with Corey Anderson, although as yet no opponent has been confirmed for the top ranked ‘Poster Boy’.
Pickett, meanwhile, blazed a trail for the sport. Competing first in the WEC in the US, he was then one of the highest ranked UK contenders in the bantamweight division. His trademark Chas and Dave walkout and all-action boxing style will be sadly missed and is guaranteed to have the home crowd rocking in March.
UFC London 2017 (as it stands)
LH: Jimi Manuwa vs. Corey Anderson
LW: Joseph Duffy vs. Reza Madadi
WW: Vicente Luque vs. Leon Edwards
LH: Francimar Barroso vs. Darren Stewart
FW: Arnold Allen vs. Makwan Amirkhani
MW: Scott Askham vs. Brad Scott
LW: Marc Diakiese vs. Teemu Packalen
MW: Tom Breese vs. Oluwale Bamgbose
* Tickets for UFC Fight Night London will go on general sale on Friday, January 27th via AXS and Ticketmaster. Fight Club members can purchase tickets on January 25th at 10am.
