UFC working on replacement as Brad Pickett’s opponent drops out of UFC London

Brad Pickett seems destined to never fight Henry Briones.

For the third time in the past year, a bantamweight bout between London's Pickett and Mexico's Briones has failed to come to fruition with news emerging that Briones has been forced out of the clash in the O2 Arena. UFC London takes place next Saturday and the event is expected to coincide with Pickett's retirement from the sport of mixed martial arts. But, all of a sudden, 'One Punch' is in need of a new opponent as Metro reports that, once again, Briones has withdrawn from a scheduled meeting with Pickett. Pickett expressed his disappointment with the news on Twitter before insisting that he would remain on the March 18 card. https://twitter.com/One_Punch/status/839855663673135104 https://twitter.com/One_Punch/status/839903434484625408 "I owe it to myself to retire in my hometown" Pickett said late last year. "That's where I started fighting and they only go to London once a year so for me, I wouldn't want to wait another year. I don't have it in my age or in my body for another year to pass. "I want to get in on this March card and hand in my gloves and pursue other ventures." The 38-year-old remains a firm fan favourite and has been fighting longer than most athletes on the UFC roster, having made his MMA debut in 2004. Pickett's record going into his swansong stands at 25-13 and he has since hinted that the UFC already have a stand-in opponent in mind for the Londoner's hometown farewell. https://twitter.com/One_Punch/status/839947598505070597