With Contender Series setbacks behind, Jamie Pickett planning to 'butcher' Rafael Celestino at CFFC 80
Astute UFC FIGHT PASS viewers will no doubt recognize Jamie Pickett from his two previous appearances on Dana White's Contender Series.
At least, Pickett believes, they may recognize him before the opening bell. After that, the middleweight prospect says the comparisons will end.
"I don't think I've been able to show the fighter that I am yet," Pickett said. "I don't think people understand how aggressive I am as a fighter. I had to hold back both times. First time, I held back because I thought I was going to get tired because I didn't get to train. The second time, I had hamstring injury, so I was babying it the whole time. So I want to be myself in a fight and show that I am that person that they're looking for. I am the draw."
Pickett stepped in on short notice against Charles Byrd in the very first Dana White's Contender Series event back in July 2017, suffering a submission loss. He then picked up a pair of wins on the regional scene before returning to the octagon at Dana White's Contender Series 17 this past June to face Punahele Soriano.
Pickett entered the second fight nursing an injury but refused to withdraw, ultimately losing a unanimous decision.
"A lot of fighters go in with injuries, so I don't want it to seem like I'm making an excuse, but I had a hamstring tear, and I tore it more during the fight," Pickett said. "My opponent did a good job, but I wanted to be really be aggressive, but I was hurting, honestly.
"I don't regret it because people got to see me. I thought I did an OK job, but I feel like I could have done a lot better, and next go, I definitely will do a lot better."
On Friday, Pickett (10-4) returns to action, making his Cage Fury Fighting Championships debut at "CFFC 80: Fight for the Troops." He faces Brazilian import Rafael Celestino on the UFC FIGHT PASS-streamed event from Virginia's Joint Base Langley-Eustis.
Pickett said he's excited about competing on the card and getting another chance to show a global audience what he's really about.
"I appreciate the opportunity," Pickett said. "I'm definitely going to capitalize on it. I'm ready to put on a show. My career has been ups and downs, but I have a pretty good record, and I'm ready to add another win.
"I wouldn't say I've had bad luck, but things just didn't go to my favor those other times. I hope that the stars align this time, and that I go in there and everything is just perfect, you know? I hate to give excuses or feel like I'm making excuses, but I know what was going on. I know what happened, so I'm just ready to just show people who I really am."
Celestino also makes his CFFC debut after spending the majority of his career competing in his native Brazil. However, Pickett and his opponent do share a common previous foe in Soriano, who earned a knockout win over Celestino in April 2018. But Pickett said he never worries too much about breaking down what his opponents might be looking to accomplish.
"I don't ever look at fighters – ever," Pickett said. "I don't care about what you're doing. I don't care about none of that. I have my coaches look it up, and they'll let me know how they want me to fight, and I'll just go along with what they're doing, and I'll do it in the fight."
But strategies aside, Pickett said he does have one important goal in mind. Victory matters, of course, but Pickett wants to do more than just win. After twice before competing on a national stage, Pickett still doesn't believe he's had a chance to show the world who he is as a fighter.
He wants that to change after Friday night.
"No offense to this guy, but my objective is to decapitate him in front of everybody," Pickett said. "I'm not playing around. I'm going in there to butcher him."