UFC on FOX 22 video recap: Urijah Faber dominates Brad Pickett in final fight

Check out BloodyElbow.com’s recap of the UFC on FOX 22 main card bout between Urijah Faber and Brad Pickett.

Urijah Faber didn’t let the added pressure get to him in his final fight. In fact, he looked the best he has in quite some time.

“The California Kid” walked to the Octagon for the very last time (barring a post-retirement return) at UFC on FOX 22 in Sacramento, California, and took on fellow veteran Brad Pickett.

Faber dominated the fight from start to finish, and nearly stopped “One Punch” early in the first round. He clipped Pickett hard on the feet and followed up with devastating strikes on the mat, but it wasn’t enough for the referee to call the bout off. Pickett survived — barely.

Pickett offered little offense throughout the three-round affair; Faber had his way with him for nearly the entire bout. Faber stunned Pickett on the feet a couple of times, and dominated with his grappling game. Faber attempted several submissions and had success in scrambles, but Pickett was able to defend all of the Team Alpha Male product’s attempts.

Faber’s swan song was a success in a big way; he ended his decade-long, Hall of Fame-worthy career in the winning column.

What was the highlight of the fight?

Faber’s near-finish with less than two minutes to go in the opening round was the highlight of the pivotal bantamweight matchup. He connected with a powerful overhand left, instantly knocking the 38-year-old down. Faber landed a few vicious shots on the ground and then transitioned to a rear-naked choke attempt, but was unable to lock it in. Pickett defended well — submission defense is something Pickett almost guaranteed extensively worked on in his camp for this bout. Of course, John McCarthy didn’t step in, and Faber would go on to dominate the rest of the bout and win a decision, but it was certainly close to being stopped.

Where do these two go from here?

This is pretty straight forward. Faber is retiring, something we’ve known since this bout was announced, and Pickett is close to hanging the gloves up himself. After the fight, Faber discussed his plans for his next chapter of life, which include many projects he’s currently working on. A pioneer of the lighter weight classes, the 37-year-old has nothing left to prove and accomplished more than most fighters ever will throughout his lengthy career.

Pickett said after the bout that he plans on stepping away from the sport after his next bout, which he hopes will be in London, England early next year.

Watch now, later, or never?

It didn’t score Fight of the Night honors, but Faber vs. Pickett was a fun bout overall that saw a beloved longtime contender go out on top. Check it out right away.

This is how you go out! The California Kid wins by Unanimous Decision. #UFCSacramento https://t.co/L2fL5BsjmI

— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) December 18, 2016

Check out BloodyElbow.com’s recap of the UFC on FOX 22 main card bout between Urijah Faber and Brad Pickett.

Urijah Faber didn’t let the added pressure get to him in his final fight. In fact, he looked the best he has in quite some time.

“The California Kid” walked to the Octagon for the very last time (barring a post-retirement return) at UFC on FOX 22 in Sacramento, California, and took on fellow veteran Brad Pickett.

Faber dominated the fight from start to finish, and nearly stopped “One Punch” early in the first round. He clipped Pickett hard on the feet and followed up with devastating strikes on the mat, but it wasn’t enough for the referee to call the bout off. Pickett survived — barely.

Pickett offered little offense throughout the three-round affair; Faber had his way with him for nearly the entire bout. Faber stunned Pickett on the feet a couple of times, and dominated with his grappling game. Faber attempted several submissions and had success in scrambles, but Pickett was able to defend all of the Team Alpha Male product’s attempts.

Faber’s swan song was a success in a big way; he ended his decade-long, Hall of Fame-worthy career in the winning column.

What was the highlight of the fight?

Faber’s near-finish with less than two minutes to go in the opening round was the highlight of the pivotal bantamweight matchup. He connected with a powerful overhand left, instantly knocking the 38-year-old down. Faber landed a few vicious shots on the ground and then transitioned to a rear-naked choke attempt, but was unable to lock it in. Pickett defended well — submission defense is something Pickett almost guaranteed extensively worked on in his camp for this bout. Of course, John McCarthy didn’t step in, and Faber would go on to dominate the rest of the bout and win a decision, but it was certainly close to being stopped.

Where do these two go from here?

This is pretty straight forward. Faber is retiring, something we’ve known since this bout was announced, and Pickett is close to hanging the gloves up himself. After the fight, Faber discussed his plans for his next chapter of life, which include many projects he’s currently working on. A pioneer of the lighter weight classes, the 37-year-old has nothing left to prove and accomplished more than most fighters ever will throughout his lengthy career.

Pickett said after the bout that he plans on stepping away from the sport after his next bout, which he hopes will be in London, England early next year.

Watch now, later, or never?

It didn’t score Fight of the Night honors, but Faber vs. Pickett was a fun bout overall that saw a beloved longtime contender go out on top. Check it out right away.