You’d be hard pressed to find a more likable UFC veteran than Brad Pickett.
The English 36-year-old makes a return to bantamweight to take on undefeated Thomas Almeida on the main card of UFC 189 tonight, hoping to get back in the win column.
SportsJOE got the chance to talk to One Punch on fight week and ask him 10 quickfire questions about his eleven-year fight career.
1. What’s the hardest you’ve been hit?
I’ve faced some powerful guys in my time but I’d have to say the hardest I’ve been hit is from Mike Brown in the gym.
2. Who is the toughest opponent you’ve faced?
Ivan Menjivar!
3. What’s the most impressive knockout that you’ve ever witnessed?
It was absolutely mindblowing to see Edson Barboza stop Terry Etim with that spinning wheel kick back in 2012.
4. The best fight you’ve ever watched?
I’ve been lucky enough to see some wars but Melvin Manhoef v Cyborg stands out to me as the most entertaining fight.
https://youtu.be/EBdsc0hPpeA
5. Who’s your favourite fighter of all time?
I can’t pick anyone other than Mike Tyson
6. What’s the weirdest thing to happen you in a fight?
It was back in the Cage Rage days and Paul Reed actually congratulated me mid-fight when I caught him with a good shot. Fortunately not too many strange things have happened to me.
7. Your favourite cheat meal?
I don’t know if it counts as a cheat meal but when I’m not cutting weight, I love a big steak.
8. Do you prefer a quick knockout, a slick submission or a hard-earned decision?
– Knockout, all day long.
9. If you weren’t a fighter, what line of work would you have gone down.
Hmm, I can’t see myself as anything other than a fighter but I’ll go for a professional footballer.
10. If you could offer any advice to up-and-coming, young fighters, what would it be?
– Get to the gym as much as possible because knowledge is power.
