Brad Pickett Returning to Bantamweight, Eyes Bout With Takeya Mizugaki
Brad “One Punch” Pickett is widely known for his devastating punching power, but the knockout artist has hit some rough times as of late. Currently riding a two-fight losing streak and sitting at just 1-2 in the flyweight division, it looks as if “One Punch” is headed back up to the dangerous bantamweight division.
Recently we saw Picket lose a split-decision defeat to Chico Camus at UFC Fight Night 57 on November 22, a bout in which the 36-year-old didn’t put forth his best effort. He spoke up to Telegraph Sport about his decision to switch weight classes:
“I’m going to go back up a weight class. The weight cut was tough for me to make, but also the matchups in that weight class are just not that interesting to me. It’s not fun chasing a guy for 15 minutes in the hope he’ll fight you.
I’m too old for that now. I want to be involved in good fights. A fight I’d like to have at bantamweight is someone like “Takeya Mizugaki). He’s an old veteran, I’m an old veteran, and we’d both slug it out and put on a great fight for the fans. That’s what it’s all about for me now.”
It seems as if Pickett is taking a shot at the flyweights by calling them out for running rather than fighting. However, the 125 pounders are well-known for using their lightening fast speed instead of power, which is the opposite of “One Punch,” who likes to go toe-to-toe with his opposition until someone drops.
Moving up in weight may give Pickett his wish of fighting more fighters who will trade with him, but calling out a fighter the caliber of Mizugaki may not be the smartest thing to do.
Although Mizugaki was utterly destroyed by Dominick Cruz at UFC 178 in September, he is still a top tier bantamweight who would most likely give Pickett problems.
Pickett is currently unranked while Mizugaki, who was previously ranked No. 5 and had a five-fight win streak before losing to Cruz, sits at No. 10. They are both coming off losses, which may actually mean this fight makes sense.
Although Mizugaki may be a favorite against the Englishman, there is no doubt that it would be quite an exciting affair between two warriors.
Would you like to see “One Punch” take on Mizugaki in his quest up the bantamweight ladder?
