Brad Pickett Survives Shaky Start To Edge Francisco Rivera
A batamweight showdown got the main card of UFC Fight Night 84 started. The two 135-pound bruisers were Brad Pickett (25-11) and Francisco Rivera (11-6, 1 NC). Pickett was looking for his first win since March 2014, while Rivera was trying to avoid the fourth loss in his last five fights.
The drought has ended for Pickett.
“One Punch” missed a couple of leg kicks early in the fight. He caught a kick from Rivera and threw out some punches. “Cisco” connected with a leg kick shortly after. Pickett landed some jabs to keep his opponent at bay. Rivera landed an uppercut and later on a right hand. “Cisco” dropped Pickett with a hook, but “One Punch” recovered quickly. Rivera popped Pickett with a counter right hand. He found the mark for his uppercut and right hand. The two traded leather with about 25 seconds left in the round with Rivera having the clear advantage.
With a little more than three minutes left in the second stanza, Pickett scored a takedown. Pickett failed to do much with the position and Rivera stood back up quickly. Pickett kept throwing out leg kicks to try to slow down Rivera. “Cisco” avoided most of his opponent’s strikes. With 30 seconds left in the round, Rivera got a takedown, but Pickett got back up. A left hook connected low on Rivera and time was called. Once again the two traded shots to finish the round with Pickett landing a left hook.
Pickett changed levels in the final frame and attempted to complete a takedown. Rivera went for a guillotine, but was taken down. Referee Neil Hall urged Pickett to work. Hall stood them back up despite Pickett appearing to try to improve his position. Rivera caught a kick and landed two right hands. “Cisco” dumped “One Punch” to the canvas. Pickett scrambled out, but was tagged with a right hand. With under 50 seconds in the fight, Pickett scored a big takedown. The fight ended with Pickett in top control.
Two of the three judges at Octagon side gave the nod to “One Punch.””
Final Result: Brad Pickett def. Francisco Rivera via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
