Pickett: ‘I’m humbled that I get to share the Octagon’ with retiring Urijah Faber

UFC bantamweight Brad Pickett says he’s honored to be the final opponent of Urijah Faber, who intends to retire after their UFC on FOX 22 bout.

Earlier this week, former WEC featherweight champion and longtime UFC bantamweight contender Urijah Faber announced that he will retire following his UFC on FOX 22 bout vs. Brad Pickett. The 37-year-old Faber will bow out of the sport in front of his home fans in Sacramento, California, in what will surely be an emotional moment for “The California Kid.”

Pickett, who had mulled his own retirement before his win over Francisco Rivera in February, spoke with MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani, and had nothing but great things to say about Urijah.

“When I was offered this fight I was pumped,” Pickett said. “It has relit a fire in me that I was worried was slowly burning out. Faber is a true pioneer of the sport. He is an excellent role model and a ridiculously talented athlete and I’m humbled that I get to share the Octagon with him in his hometown for his last fight.

“When I saw your announcement this evening, I texted him straight away letting him know how honored I was to be his last opponent,” Pickett added.

Pickett (25-12) is coming off a quick triangle choke loss to Iuri Alcantara at UFC 204, his 4th loss in his last 5. “One Punch” is otherwise a fan favorite with numerous FOTN bonuses, and he says that he and Faber will “put on a good old fashioned scrap.”

UFC on FOX 22 is set for Saturday, December 17th at the new Golden 1 Center. The main event of that card features strawweight contenders Paige VanZant and Michelle Waterson.

UFC bantamweight Brad Pickett says he’s honored to be the final opponent of Urijah Faber, who intends to retire after their UFC on FOX 22 bout.

Earlier this week, former WEC featherweight champion and longtime UFC bantamweight contender Urijah Faber announced that he will retire following his UFC on FOX 22 bout vs. Brad Pickett. The 37-year-old Faber will bow out of the sport in front of his home fans in Sacramento, California, in what will surely be an emotional moment for “The California Kid.”

Pickett, who had mulled his own retirement before his win over Francisco Rivera in February, spoke with MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani, and had nothing but great things to say about Urijah.

“When I was offered this fight I was pumped,” Pickett said. “It has relit a fire in me that I was worried was slowly burning out. Faber is a true pioneer of the sport. He is an excellent role model and a ridiculously talented athlete and I’m humbled that I get to share the Octagon with him in his hometown for his last fight.

“When I saw your announcement this evening, I texted him straight away letting him know how honored I was to be his last opponent,” Pickett added.

Pickett (25-12) is coming off a quick triangle choke loss to Iuri Alcantara at UFC 204, his 4th loss in his last 5. “One Punch” is otherwise a fan favorite with numerous FOTN bonuses, and he says that he and Faber will “put on a good old fashioned scrap.”

UFC on FOX 22 is set for Saturday, December 17th at the new Golden 1 Center. The main event of that card features strawweight contenders Paige VanZant and Michelle Waterson.