Brad Pickett heads to flyweight, meets Ian McCall at UFC European Tour in London
Former bantamweight contender Brad Pickett (23-8 MMA, 3-3 UFC) is headed to flyweight for an early 2014 meeting with Ian McCall (12-4-1 MMA, 1-2-1 UFC).
UFC officials today announced the bout, which will be part of the UFC European Tour in London event.
The show takes place March 8 at O2 Arena in London. It streams live on the UFC’s soon-to-launch digital network.
Pickett, who’s won four “Fight of the Night†bonuses in six UFC fights, is currently ranked No. 5 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA bantamweight rankings. However, with losses to contenders such as Michael McDonald and Eddie Wineland during his current 3-2 run, the 35-year-old Englishman previously teased a potential move down to 125 pounds.
He’ll get a stiff test with McCall, who’s ranked No. 4 at flyweight. The 29-year-old Californian recently halted a three-fight winless streak (a draw and loss to Demetrious Johnson, as well as a defeat to Joseph Benavidez) with a unanimous-decision win over Iliarde Santos in August. “Uncle Creepy†picked up a “Fight of the Night†bonus for the effort. However, he recently pulled out of a bout with Scott Jorgensen that was slated to take place Saturday at UFC on FOX 9.
The latest UFC European Tour in London lineup includes:
Alexander Gustafsson vs. Jimi Manuwa
Melvin Guillard vs. Ross Pearson
Ian McCall vs. Brad Pickett
Cyrille Diabate vs. Ilir Latifi
