Veteran bantamweight Brad Pickett did not have a very long retirement.
Just over a year after his final UFC fight, longtime bantamweight Brad Pickett is coming out of retirement.
MMA Fighting reported on Thursday that “One Punch” has signed with Absolut Championship Berkut (ACB), and will make his debut in London against fellow veteran Takeya Mizugaki. ACB 91 is set for August 11th at the Copper Box Arena.
The 39-year-old Pickett (25-14) has not competed since a knockout loss to Marlon Vera at UFC London in March 2017, after which he announced his retirement from the sport. He has lost six of his last seven, with a split decision over Francisco Rivera as his only win during that span. Pickett is known for being extremely entertaining to watch, regularly winning post-fight bonuses even dating back to his days in the WEC.
In an interview with MMA Fighting, Pickett explained his decision to fight again.
“It just kind of happened. I got an offer from ACB for their London card. It started off as a joke, you know, they were asking me if I wanted it. I think it must have planted a seed because all of a sudden I started to think, ‘Why wouldn’t I?’ The only reasons why I wouldn’t do it would be health related, but my health is completely fine.”
Pickett may have a multi-fight deal, but says that how many times he competes is up to him, and that “it’s going to depend on how I feel after my fight.”
He also said that while he doesn’t mind the paydays, money was not the reason for his return.
“It’s not for the money, but it certainly helps. It’s not like I was out begging for a fight and ACB did me a favor. I wasn’t even considering coming out of retirement but the deal I’ve been offered was too good to turn down.”
As for Pickett’s opponent, Mizugaki (22-13-2) recently snapped a four-fight losing run by beating Pietro Menga by decision at ACB 87 in Nottingham. The former WEC title challenger left the UFC after a TKO defeat to Eddie Wineland in December 2016.