After Urijah Faber, Brad Pickett eyeing own 'swan song' at UFC's March return to London

Two of the more accomplished bantamweights in the young history of MMA could be on their way out of the sport in the coming months.

Former WEC champ and multi-time UFC title challenger Urijah Faber (33-10 MMA, 9-6 UFC) previously announced he will make his exit from the sport following his scheduled UFC on FOX 22 bout with Brad Pickett (25-12 MMA, 5-7 UFC) next month.

Pickett could be joining him soon after; “One Punch” admitted to having preliminary thoughts about the Faber fight being one of his last.

“For me, in my position, yeah, health is very important,” Pickett said at a recent UFC fan Q&A in Belfast, Northern Ireland. “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.”

Faber, No. 10 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA bantamweight rankings, gets what would seem like a dream scenario for his retirement bout. UFC on FOX 22 takes place Dec. 17 at Golden 1 Center in Faber’s hometown of Sacramento, Calif., with the card airing on FOX following early prelims on UFC Fight Pass, though the bout order hasn’t been finalized.

The fight comes a little more than 13 years after Faber made his MMA debut, and during that time, he’s built a memorable career and helped the sport’s lighter weight classes flourish.

Pickett, a 12-year veteran of the sport, made similar contributions overseas in the U.K, specifically in his native England. Although he’s still one of just two fighters to hold a victory over current UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson, it’s been a rough run of late for Pickett. He’s lost five of his past seven fights – the most recent a two-minute blowout submission loss to Iuri Alcantara at UFC 204 in October.

Pickett, 38, mentioned he didn’t want to be a “punch bag” for prospects. He said he’s allowed himself to be just that in some instances, but he said that largely stemmed from a lack of motivation for those fights. The Faber matchup gets his competitive fire burning, though, and he said he relishes the chance to send Faber on his way on a losing note.

“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,” he continued. “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.”

Win or lose at UFC on FOX 22, Pickett said he wants to be part of the next UFC event in his hometown of London, which is slated for March 18. That would seem like the perfect platform for a retirement fight, but he said nothing is official. Beating Faber would be among the most significant accomplishments of Pickett’s career, and it might be hard for him to hang up his gloves on the heels of such a victory.

Pickett said his focus isn’t yet on what comes after his showdown with Faber, though. He said his focus is on a win, and once that happens, he’ll explore all his options in a more serious matter.

“He’s very well-rounded, and he’s been a true pioneer for the sport, so he’s not an easy fight for anybody,” Pickett said. “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.”

For more on UFC on FOX 22, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.