UFC Fight Night 107: Brad Pickett looks to retire from MMA with a win (and some dignity)

After more than 13 years in the hurt business and 38 professional fights under his belt, Brad Pickett will walk to the Octagon one final time this Saturday (March 18, 2017) when he faces Marlon Vera at UFC Fight Night 107 in London, England.

Aside from the wear and tear his body has received throughout his combat sports career, one that saw him engage in countless standup battles, “One Punch” says getting to leave the sport on his own terms was a big factor in his retirement.

To hear him tell it, he wouldn’t have blamed Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) had the promotion cut him after his recent outings.

“I’ll be honest, with my recent performances, I could easily get cut, and I’d rather leave on my own terms,” he said during a recent interview with UFC.com.

“I’m a bit proud in that way and, also being a competitor, I’ve always took this sport not just to make up the numbers, but to keep striving to be number one. I’ve now accepted that it’s not going to be the case and it’s no fun losing,” added “One Punch.”

With a record of 25-13, Pickett has dropped five of his last six contests inside the eight-walled cage. It’s a skid that Pickett admits took an emotional toll on him.

“I’ve been losing more than I’ve been winning at the moment, so it takes the fun away from my job. If I was winning all the time, it’s fun, it’s great, I love it. But being a very competitive person and losing, it’s not fun,” added the British brawler.

After losing to Urijah Faber at UFC on FOX 22 last December in what was “The California Kid’s” own retirement fight (see it again here), Pickett called for and received the chance to say his farewells in his home town of London, England.

And as he gears up to face a fighter 14 years younger than him, Pickett hopes to ride off into the sunset with a win and some dignity intact following his latest run.

“I owe it to myself to try and leave with some dignity, if that makes sense.”

To see the most up-to-date UFC Fight Night 107 fight card — which will air exclusively on UFC Fight Pass — click here.