SPIKED Sign Brad Pickett - MMAUniverse.com

Mixed Martial Arts has seen a massive growth in popularity over the past few years, and is continuing to explode in popularity, right across the globe.

The UK scene has become a hot bed of talent, with new athletes coming to the forefront of the game on a regular basis and making serious waves across the pond.

In 2002, 2 promoters, Dave O’Donnell and Andy Geer, set out to raise money by promoting a small Mixed Martial Arts show called Cage Rage within the UK. It was an instant success. Shows are now regularly held at Wembley Arena attracting up to 12000 fans and live SKY viewing figures of up to 50000.

Cage Rage is now on par with other organisations including UFC, K1, Bodog.

MMA is now widely accepted within the wider category of Extreme Sports, alongside Skateboarding, BMX, MOTOX, Surfing to name a few.

SPIKED have spent a lot of time researching the MMA scene and have been looking for a true character who represents the sport to the highest level, is a gentleman, a true sportsman and has a great desire to encourage new up and coming talent.

SPIKED are stoked to announce their signing of British MMA star Brad "One Punch" Pickett.

Brad has been boxing since he was 21, having great successes at amateur level. He then made the transition from boxing to MMA. Through his dedication, determination, fighting and personal qualities, he is now seen as one of the great ambassadors of the sport. He is a former Cage Rage featherweight champion and has an impressive record of 12-4-0.

Brad recently fought at K1 Dynamite in Los Angeles in front of 50,000 people, where he narrowly lost to Hideo Tokoro. A point worth mentioning is that Tikoro also beat Royce Gracie last year.

Brad has also fought in Costa Rica in 2007, winning a classic Bodog match against J R Sims. He won 4 out of 5 categories: Favorite fighter, Best finish, best fight and best ring entrance. That in itself is to be commended.

Brad is no stranger to the press either, he has appeared on numerous TV shows and is regularly featured in magazines, including NUTS magazine, FRONT magazine, BRAVO, SKY SPORTS to name a few.

SPIKED would like to wish Brad all the best for the 2008 season. Can’t wait to see you in action.

Check back regularly for the updates to Brad’s up and coming blog within the team section.

SPIKED will also be doing a full photoshoot and interview with Brad shortly, so check back soon.

Source: www.getspiked.co.uk