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Brad Pickett looks back @ 2008 - 16/11/09

2008 has been a great year for Brad One Punch Pickett. Brad has beaten every opponent that has been put in front of him. He has shown that he can step up to any challenge and put on a show that always keeps you on your feet. He continues to be the fans favorite by a long shot. Based on these unbeatable credentials, he is attracting a lot of interest world wide.

As everyone knows, nothing is concrete unless it is in black and white, but never the less, there are big rumblings about the exciting future of Brad Pickett. SPIKED caught up with Brad, to get an insight on the current gossip.

Hey Brad, how’s things with you?

Yeah all good.  Things are good since my last fight, although I did hurt my hand, so I haven’t been able to train as well as I would like to be.  I’ve got to look after the hand, I think I’ve got a little fracture, although I haven’t actually gone to hospital to check it out but I’m pretty certain that’s what I’ve got. 

You’ve had a really good year in the cage, tell us about that?

Yeah yeah, I've had a good year, everything has gone to plan, pretty much. I wanted to try and get one more fight in before the end of the year as well, there were a few opportunities, maybe a chance of fighting in Croatia before the end of the year, but that’s still not sorted. 

What were your highlights from the year? You have had a string of great fights this year and all impressive wins.

Umm I don’t know really, all enjoyable fights, but maybe, my last fight I guess, which was against Antanas Jazbutis, it was also screened on NUTS TV which was good for the sport. I had a good performance, felt really comfortable, yeah that was good really. I don’t know the actual figures but I heard there were quite a few watching on TV.

You always look really relaxed leading up to a fight, what’s your approach to stay that way?

I think I look more relaxed now due to experience, the more I’m fighting the more relaxed I’m feeling, you just get used to it and just get on with it, it’s just like passing your driving test, the more you drive the more you get used to it. It’s like that with the fighting, I wouldn’t say you don’t get nervous because everyone does but you learn to handle it. It’s good to have nerves but you can’t let them overwhelm you.

Some people thrive on a bit of anxiety though don’t they?

Oh sure, you gotta have some nerves, otherwise your going to get complacent and you don’t want that, so it helps to have the adrenalin pumping.

I guess your still pumping after a fight, how do you wind down?

I listen to a few tunes, play video games, go on my laptop just chill out really.

Your top of your weight in this country, word is your thinking of hooking up with WEC for 2009, is that the plan?

We are in talks with them but nothing has been decided so I don’t want to get carried away, but hopefully fingers crossed next year I could be fighting for WEC.  Just watch this space.

I guess that will take you away from the UK?

Yeah, if I sign with them I’ll be out in the States, but I think they are looking to tour their show anyway so it could end up over here.

How do you view the differences between the scene here in the UK and the US?

Well basically it’s so much bigger in the States, there’s a lot more people involved out there so the level of competition is a lot higher.  Also in the US there is a lot more interest from sponsors due to the massive TV coverage, which is always good for a fighter. It’s big in the far East as well and I’d love to fight there some time as well.

Are you happy with the way MMA is perceived in this country?

Um, yes, actually, Umm, tell a lie, yes and no, I think a lot of people are ignorant to the sport and don’t understand it and still believe it’s just thuggish and barbaric, these people need to come and watch it and not believe half the things they hear. I guess they would understand it more if it got more exposure and they became educated, until then they are just going to think the worst of it. 

What do you think needs to be done to take MMA to the next level in this country?

Some good financial backing from TV companies would get people more interested, because as soon as people start watching it they love it, so basically that, trying to get people interested.

Do you think it’s better to go watch live as opposed to TV?

No not really, you don’t actually have to be there to appreciate it, not only that not everyone has the chance to go and see it, so if it’s on TV a lot more people get to see it.

Cheers Brad, anyone you want to give a shout to?

Just all my sponsors really, obviously you guys at Spiked and the rest of my sponsors in the UK.