Unretired Brad Pickett signs multi-fight deal with ACB, set for London debut

Brad Pickett will return to action in front of his hometown supporters on Aug. 11 in London after signing a multi-fight deal with ACB.

ACB confirmed the signing of the UK MMA legend with MMA Fighting on Thursday.

“One Punch” bid an emotional farewell to fans when he retired from the sport at last year’s UFC London event after being stopped in the third round of his bantamweight clash with Marlon Vera. Vera’s win made it three consecutive defeats for Pickett after dropping a decision against Urijah Faber and being submitted by Yuri Alcantara.

Pickett (25-14-0) will remain at bantamweight for his comeback fight, which marks ACB’s first event in the English capital. Speaking to MMA Fighting on the news, the Londoner already had an opponent in mind for his return date.

“I wanted to fight Takeya Mizugaki a few times in the UFC but it never materialized,” said Pickett. “He’s with ACB too so it seems like a good time to do it. He’s an older guy as well so I think it’s more on my playing field. I don’t need to fight some young kid. I don’t have a point to prove, I just want to be involved in a really good fight.”