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Faber 'would love' to fight fan favourite Pickett

ESPN staff
May 9, 2013
Urijah Faber talks to ESPN


Urijah Faber has told ESPN he would not hesitate in accepting a fight with Brad Pickett, and would happily meet the Brit in the UK.

Faber and Pickett are two of the top five bantamweights in the world, and both men are looking for a high profile fight after respective wins over Scott Jorgensen and Mike Easton.

The American has only champion Dominick Cruz and interim belt holder Renan Barao above him, both of whom have beaten him in the UFC. Pickett, meanwhile, has already faced five of the current top-ten.

Pickett recently told ESPN he would love to coach on a series of The Ultimate Fighter against Faber, believing the pair could put on an entertaining show while displaying their coaching skills. Faber is in agreement.

"I'd love to do that! There's not too many big personalities in our weight class. I would say Pickett and I have the biggest fan followings," he told ESPN.

"He's got a lot of personality, he fights really well, he's got a good look and he's dangerous. I do like the guy but I'd like to fight him as well. That's one I'd like to see happen.

"It'd be a great fight, a great fight. If he puts his hands in the right place on anybody in the division they're getting knocked out.

"It all comes down to what the UFC wants to do. I'm down for whatever, I'm not into calling people out, but I want to put on exciting fights the fans want to see. If the fans want to see that, let's do it."

In all likelihood, a TUF season between Pickett and Faber is unlikely to be next on the Brit's agenda as he targets another fight before his wedding this summer. Faber also does not know what the future holds, but he wants to stay active while the injured Cruz and dominant Barao sort things out at the top.

Asked if he would come to the UK to fight Pickett, Faber replied: "I'd love to man, I want to travel the world and put on shows. Hopefully win some fans over there. That'd be awesome.

"I don't know what the plan is right now. First we have to see if Barao can beat Wineland, I feel like he probably can. Cruz needs to heal up. Until then I'm just going to be beating people up and waiting to see what happens. I'm happy with whatever."

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