• UFC on Fuel 2

Pickett tells Page to prepare for hell

Brad Pickett was given a difficult first UFC assignment against the hugely talented Renan Barao © Getty Images

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Brad Pickett is ready to show a different side of him in order to overcome Damacio Page at UFC on Fuel 2, and he warned his fellow bantamweight that he better be ready to walk through hell to beat him.

Pickett, after a long and impressive career, finally made his UFC debut last year, losing to top contender Renan Barao in England. That loss against the Brazilian has been put into serious context since with Barao proving he is serious title-challenging material.

Now Pickett wants to rebuild and is set for another tough task in Sweden, against explosive starter Page. The Brit has been training at his adopted home at American Top Team, and he revealed he has been putting in the hard yards to ensure he is ready come April 14.

"I'm feeling in good shape, I'm always in good hands at American Top Team," Pickett told ESPN. I've had a few little niggling injuries but nothing that'll stop me fighting.

"I've had stitches in my face so I've trained with a mask on for a bit - I tend to defend shots with my head so I cut my face open! But it's fine - I'll be ready."

Pickett came out swinging in his fight against Barao and got picked off by a well-timed knee from the Brazilian, which sparked the end. That is the Brit's style and he rarely changes it, but he admits he has got serious about his defence to make Page's job even tougher.

"Without wanting to give my gameplan away too much, you're not going to see a timid version of me, but I've been learning some new things," Pickett said. "Obviously I've been sharpening up my defence because this is a fight and he can hit hard, but all-round it's my offence that will win it."

Page is not shy of the odd tattoo and has flames on his feet to represent the fact he will walk through hell to succeed, and when this was put to Pickett he had a quick response.

"If that's the case he's going to have to walk through hell to get through me - and it's not going to happen," the Brit promised.

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