Preview: UFC on Fox 22 ‘VanZant vs. Waterson’

Bantamweights

Urijah Faber (33-10) vs. Brad Pickett (25-12)

THE MATCHUP: Faber says this will be the last time he makes the walk to the cage, and perhaps it should be for Pickett, as well. Both men are mainstays of the bantamweight division, and both have accomplished much throughout their careers. Faber boasts names like Dominick Cruz and Jens Pulver on his record, while Pickett remains one of only two men to defeat Demetrious Johnson. Faber has been fighting professionally for 13 years, Pickett for 12. Between them, they have participated in 80 fights. This could be the last night for two phenomenal veterans, so pay attention people.

As might be expected with talks of retirement in the air, neither of these men is currently at his best. Both are coming off of losses, with Faber having been shut out by Jimmie Rivera and Pickett having been obliterated by Iuri Alcantara. Pickett’s chin seems to be fading more dramatically than Faber’s: He was knocked out for just the second time in his career by Thomas Almeida and then barely survived being knocked out by Francisco Riveira before being hurt and choked out by Alcantara. Faber is no longer as durable as he was once was, either, and has been shaken up pretty badly in each of his last three fights. Between the two of them, Faber has always been the better puncher, so he may test Pickett’s chin a little more strenuously than the Englishman does his.

Much of this fight, however, will play out in the scrambles. Both Faber and Pickett are active wrestlers, but Faber’s grappling ability will prove superior. Faber defends 60 percent of takedowns and has recorded 19 submissions, which suggests that taking him down is not a great idea. Pickett will likely finish a takedown or two, but Faber has always thrived in the scrambles. Recent fights have proven tough for him because he has been matched with long, technical strikers. A scrappy wrestle-boxer like Pickett is far better suited to Faber’s old school style.

THE ODDS: Faber (-440), Pickett (+355)

THE PICK: Since both men are somewhat faded, it would not be a shock to see either win. Pickett was badly beaten in his last fight, but he came very close to knocking out Almeida not that long ago. Faber has been showing signs of deterioration since 2012. Even so, he is 7-5 since then, with Rivera being the first non-current or former champion to best Faber since 2005. I think Faber’s toughness, speed and scrambling ability will see him to victory here in a fight that should represent both men nicely. Faber by unanimous decision is the pick.

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