Brad Pickett is just a few short weeks away from facing Urijah Faber at UFC On Fox 22, it will be Faber’s retirement fight, Pickett is planning to have a similar retirement fight when the UFC returns to the United Kingdom in March.
“For me, in my position, yeah, health is very important,” Pickett said at a UFC Fan Q&A. “I’ve got a young kid. I’ve got to look after myself. I don’t just want to be a punch bag for young guys coming up, but at the same time, I love what I do. But for me, I’d like to do what Urijah is doing. I would like to retire in my hometown. It’s what I’m thinking about. It’s not set in stone yet, but I’m thinking about doing this fight (then) trying to get booked on the London card and make that my swan song.”
Pickett has a lot of respect for the soon to be retired Faber and he instantly accepted the fight against Faber when it was offered to him.
“I heard some interviews with him about his retirement, and he said for some time he hasn’t really been excited about the matchups he’s been given – he was fighting just to fight,” Pickett said. “I’ll be honest with you: I was sort of in that same sort of position, like, ‘OK, you’re fighting Henry Briones.’ Oh, all right. … You’re fighting this guy, that guy. (I would say), ‘Yes, yes, yes.’ I accepted it. You just get to a stage where you don’t get excited about matchups either. I was just fighting because it’s in my blood. I want to fight. But this one I’m actually really, genuinely excited about. It gives me a little speed in my step. I’m really looking forward to fighting Urijah and it being in his hometown. All the eyes are on him. All the pressure is on him. I’m just there to turn up and spoil the party. Obviously me and Urijah have been in the game for a long, long time – since back in the WEC days of UFC. I’ve always wanted to match up. (I’m) surprised it hasn’t happened before now. I like the fact I’m going to go in there (with) all eyes on him. It’s in his hometown. It’s all about him, and I’m just there to come through the back way and spoil the party. He’s very well-rounded, and he’s been a true pioneer for the sport, so he’s not an easy fight for anybody. I think some of the styles he has problems with. You saw his last fight vs. (Jimmie) Rivera. I think me and Rivera are pretty similar in styles. I’m not going to go into too much details, but I’m excited for this fight. I’m looking to land my heavy shots. I believe he’s going to try to wrestle me. My mind is to stuff his takedowns, get out of the first round, get him a little bit annoyed, and then he’ll stand up with me, and then I’ll have my fun.”
UFC On Fox 22 takes place on Saturday, December 17 from the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California with Paige VanZant and Michelle Waterson headlining.
