Brad Pickett says he's 'honored' to be Urijah Faber's last fight

The news Urijah Faber has decided to make his UFC on FOX 22 fight with Brad Pickett his retirement fight sent shockwaves through the mixed martial arts world Monday.

But when the former WEC featherweight champion and future Hall of Famer announced on The MMA Hour he's decided hang up the gloves, it also came with a sense of excitement. Faber will finish his career in his hometown of Sacramento, where he had so many memorable battles, and do so at the first UFC card at the city's new downtown arena.

Sharing in the excitement is Pickett himself. The well liked British bantamweight reached out to MMAFighting.com's Ariel Helwani to say he's honored to share the Octagon with Faber on the night of his final fight.

"When I was offered this fight I was pumped," Pickett said. "It has relit a fire in me that I was worried was slowly burning out. Faber is a true pioneer of the sport. He is an excellent role model and a ridiculously talented athlete and I'm humbled that I get to share the Octagon with him in his hometown for his last fight.

"When I saw your announcement this evening, I texted him straight away letting him know how honored I was to be his last opponent," Pickett added.

Pickett's had his shares of ups and downs in his recent fights, but his matches are usually exciting. And won or lose, he promises to deliver one for the fans to remember come Dec. 17.

"I know we're going to put on a good old fashioned scrap to send him out in style," Pickett said. "It will be one no one will forget, I'm sure we'll both make sure of that."