Brad Pickett wants to retire at UFC Fight Night 108 in London

After 12 professional years in the fight game, Brad Pickett is ready to call it a day. And if he had his druthers, he’d like to wrap up his combat sports career in his backyard of London, just like Urijah Faber recently did in his hometown of Sacramento at UFC on FOX 22.

Interestingly enough, it was Pickett who faced "The California Kid" in his final fight, losing to the longtime veteran via unanimous decision (video replay here).

And since Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is set to stage UFC Fight Night 108 March 18 inside O2 Arena in London, England, Pickett tells Flo Combat he hopes to land a spot on the card in order to bid farewell to the fight game in his hometown.

"I'm looking to get on the London card in March, it's been in the back of my head, but I want to do what Urijah Faber did and retire in [my] hometown. That's what I really want to do. Now it's time. I'm not doing myself justice, and I don't want to be in the sport just to make up numbers. I love my job, but everything has to come to an end at some point, so I'd rather do it now while I can talk to my son, so I'd rather retire in the O2 in March next year in my hometown. The reason why'd do it then, I'd fight later on that year if I have to, but they are going to London and that's where I'm from. I owe it to myself to retire in my hometown. That's where I started fighting and they only go to London once a year so for me I wouldn't want to wait another year. I don't have it in my age or in my body for another year to pass. I want to get in on this March card and hand in my gloves and pursue other ventures you know."

So why the sudden thought of retiring?

To hear Pickett tell it, he says though he’s always considered himself a mentally strong person, he admits he’s been struggling with that part of the fight game as of late. And when doubt starts creeping into your mind, "One Punch" says it may be time to hang 'em up.

After feeling like a "passenger" in Faber’s ride off into the sunset, Pickett says it’s time for his own farewell journey. Hopefully, UFC matchmakers can find a spot for "One Punch" to showcase his skills one final time where it all began, in his own backyard.