East End MMA star Brad 'One' Punch Pickett has vowed to teach rookie rival Dino Gambatesa a tough lesson in their Ultimate Challenge UK title clash

By JONATHAN CLEGG

East End mixed marital arts star Brad 'One Punch' Pickett has vowed to teach rookie rival Dino Gambatesa a tough lesson in their Ultimate Challenge UK featherweight title clash on Saturday night.

Former Cage Rage featherweight champion Pickett is a strong favourite to capture the Ultimate Challenge belt in the headline bout at Stepney's Troxy venue on Saturday night.

The Bethnal Green fighter, a veteran of 19 MMA contests, faces an inexperienced opponent in Gambatesa, who is making only his second professional appearance on the Unstoppable show.

The Italian has been tipped for a big future in the sport following an emphatic debut victory in last year's Predator Fight Night show in Swansea.

Yet despite admitting that Gambatesa remains an unknown quantity, Pickett is confident that experience will outweigh potential in the title showdown, earning the East London ace a third career title in front of his local fans.

"I'm definitely the favourite. I've been around a lot longer, I've got more experience, and I've fought better opponents," Pickett said. "He's from a jujitsu background and at the start of my career, ground fighters were tough for me. Now I'm so well versed in every style, it won't be a problem.

"I've faced plenty of opponents like him, but I'm a complete fighter and he's never faced anyone as good as me."

Legendary MMA promoter and Ultimate Challenge chief Dave O'Donnell is also convinced Pickett will put on a good show in front of a capacity crowd at the Troxy.

He said: "Brad is the biggest fighter in East London and he's a natural entertainer. He never makes it look easy - that fight will be a battle."

Tickets for Ultimate Challenge UK's Unstoppable show at the Troxy, 490 Commercial Road on Saturday are available at www.ticketmania.co.uk.