UFC on FUEL TV 9: April 6, 2013 Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden UFC Bantamweight Contender Brad Pickett (-180) Profile: The always exciting British fighter Brad Pickett (22-7) has experienced mixed results in the UFC so far following a fairly successful run in the WEC. Currently, Pickett is 2-2 in the UFC, with the first loss coming in his debut against eventual bantamweight interim champion Renan Barao at UFC 138 by rear-naked choke submission, and the second vs. top contender Eddie Wineland via split decision at UFC 155. His two wins in the organization include an impressive second-round submission of Damacio Page at UFC on FUEL TV 2 followed by a first-round knockout of Yves Jabouin at UFC on FUEL TV 5. The 34-year-old Pickett is a fan favorite and a favorite of UFC president Dana White, mostly due to his willingness to scrap and put on a good fight for the fans. UFC Bantamweight Contender Mike Easton (+140) Profile: Mike Easton (13-2) is 3-1 in the UFC since spending a large portion of his career on the independent circuit. He has a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and in Tae Kwon Do, leaving him dangerous on the ground and definitely someone to watch out for on the feet. While he is still developing, the 29-year-old already has outstanding stopping abilities, finishing nearly half of his wins so far with four knockouts and two submissions. He recently put together a seven-fight winning streak overall, including five bouts in the Ultimate Warrior Challenge, where he won the bantamweight title and defended it twice. He even defeated TUF 14 bantamweight winner John Dodson in the UWC via split decision. However, Easton saw his winning streak come to an end with a lackluster effort in a unanimous decision loss to Raphael Assuncao at UFC on FOX 5 back in December. Opening UFC on FUEL TV 9 Odds Analysis: MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas made Pickett a small -180 favorite (bet $180 to win $100) while Easton opened as a +140 underdog (bet $100 to win $140) at Several Bookmakers. Easton made a big mistake in his last bout against Assuncao, underestimating him and ultimately paying the price with a UD loss. “The Hulk” thought he was in line for a title shot if he could beat T.J. Dillashaw, his original opponent at UFC on FOX 5. However, Dillashaw pulled out due to injury, and Easton apparently overlooked Assuncao and did not come to fight. He will not make the same mistake twice here against Pickett, who will more than likely come after him right away and force him to be more aggressive. Pickett is a brawler appropriately named “One Punch” because of his ability to finish his opponents. Of his 22 wins, 17 have ended with stoppages (seven by TKO/KO and 10 via submission), so Easton will have little choice but to defend himself and attempt to turn the tables on Pickett if he wants to win this bout. Pickett has won Fight of the Night honors in three of his last six appearances inside the cage, and he has suffered consecutive defeats only once in his career. Meanwhile, Easton has never lost two in a row and desperately needs to bounce back with a victory if he wants to get back into the title mix.
