Brad Pickett Ready To Put String Of Losses Behind Him

In an interview with MMA Junkie, Brad Pickett (25-11 MMA, 5-6 UFC) spoke about being ready to put his losing streak, which he broke in February with a split decision win over Francisco Rivera. He will fight Iuri Alcantra (32-7 MMA, 7-4 UFC) at UFC 204 this Saturday. It airs on PPV after the FOX Sports 1 preliminary card (which includes Pickett/Alcantara) and more prelim fights on UFC Fight Pass. Here are highlights:

On his win over Rivera: “(Beating Rivera) changed things massively. It took a lot of pressure off me. I’m not in this sport just to make up numbers. It’s not about just competing at this level because I’ll always be able to compete at this level and just get in there and fight. It’s about winning at this level, as well. It didn’t matter who I was fighting that night. It could have been (reigning champ) Dominick Cruz, No. 1 in the world, or it could have been the postman down the street, (and I would have won).”

On the pressure before the Rivera fight: “The pressure on me in that fight was massive. All the media leading up to that fight was planting that seed that, ‘You’re done now. You’re retiring.’ It kind of got into me. I was like, ‘Oh my God, maybe they’re right and I can’t do this anymore.’ It did really put a lot of pressure on me when I’m fighting. I always put pressure on myself through my career of fighting. It’s just a different kind of formula of what I’m using. I want to go out there and perform for my fans and also for my son, my wife and my son and put food on the table and provide money for my family. I’m a working-class guy in the sport. I want to go out there and win so I can get money.”

On staying optimistic: “I think I can beat anyone in the world on my day. I throw as hard as anyone in that weight class. I can wrestle. I’ve been around a long, long time, and I have a gas tank. I can beat anyone in the world on my day. At the moment I just have to look at the opponent in front of me. If I win, I go through one door. If I lose, I go through another door. I need to make sure I stay focused and concentrate on what’s in front of me. Then after? Lineker, Garbrandt – they’re matches I’ve seen and I’ve always liked. I think they would be great fights. I need to make sure I win to make those fights even a possibility. At the moment now, I do think about providing more for my family. But it doesn’t mean I don’t think about trying to get a title shot.”