• UFC 155

One Punch set to become Brad 'pay-per-view' Pickett

Brad Pickett always brings intensity to the Octagon © Getty Images

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Brad Pickett claims his UFC 155 clash with Eddie Wineland will be explosive enough to boost the event's pay-per-view ratings, admitting Wineland's power "has to be respected".

Pickett heads into the December 29 encounter knowing he is as close as he has ever been to a UFC title shot. Victory over Wineland could well land him the winner of the interim title collision between Renan Barao and Michael McDonald.

The Brit is coming off a Knockout of the Night performance against Yves Jabouin, while Wineland is also entering the bout off the back of a bonus victory over Scott Jorgensen.

Pickett maintains that there is no better technical striker in the 135lb division than Jabouin, but he says the threat posed by Wineland is different - and potentially more dangerous.

"Stylistically, we're kind of similar. We both like to strike, we've both got decent wrestling, his is more defensive wrestling whereas I'm more offensive wrestling, but predominatly we're both out to strike," Pickett told ESPN.

"We're both quite tough, we're both boxers, we don't kick a lot. I'm more controlled chaos, he's more of a counter striker and he's very aggressive if he gets you hurt.

"Wineland is a dangerous striker, he has power. Yves Jabouin was technical and explosive, but Wineland's power has to be respected."

The Pickett v Wineland bout forms part of the prelims section of the card, despite it holding far more significance than the likes of Chris Leben v Derek Brunson - which was recently promoted above the bantamweights. Pickett could be forgiven for getting angry, but insists it is a compliment from the UFC.

"I believe this is the fight to sell the pay-per-view," he said. "This is the fight to excite people, like when Korean Zombie v Leonard Garcia fought - pay-per-views skyrocketed. This is that fight."

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