Jamie Pickett
Jamie Russell Pickett (born August 29, 1988) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Background. Pickett lived with his grandparents growing up in Chinquapin, North Carolina, as his father was in prison and his mom, a drug user, left the family when he was young. His mom came back for her three kids — Pickett and his two half-brothers — when Pickett was eight, but she wasn't off drugs. The government eventually got involved, and after a battle in court, Pickett ended up living with his dad's  parents, while his two half-brothers lived with his mom's parents, beginning at the age of nine or ten. Pickett initially started training Brazilian jiu-jitsu at the age of 19 and dabbled into mixed martial arts in 2009. Jamie ended up dropping out of high school at East Duplin High School in North Carolina Mixed martial arts career. Early career. Making his professional debut at Conflick Cage Fighting against Tyler Minton, Pickett lost the bout via unanimous decision. Pickett then defeated Brian McGinnis via TKO in the first round at Charity Fight Round 1, followed by a loss  to Joshua Williams via second round rear-naked choke at Warfare 9: Apocalypse. Pickett defeated his next three opponents that included wins over Savalas Williams and Jason Fann. Then at Next Level Fight Club 3, he defeated Marcus Finch via TKO in the third round. Pickett knocked out Doug Usher in the second round at Legacy FC 47. He defeated Rashawn Spencer via unanimous decision at Conflict MMA 42 Charlotte. Pickett appeared in Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series Dana White's Contender Series 1 web-series program on July 11, 2017, facing Charles Byrd. He lost the fight  via a technical submission in round one. At 864 Fighting Championship, Pickett defeated Crishian Torres via TKO in the first round. He defeated Elijah Gobille via TKO in round one at Next Level Fight Club 10. Pickett was invited onto Dana White's Contender Series 17 on June 18, 2019, where he faced Punahele Soriano. He lost the bout via unanimous decision. At NLFC 11 Pickett defeated Jacquis Williams via unanimous decision. In the headliner of Dana White's Contender Series 30, he defeated Jhonven Pati via TKO in the second round. The win earned Pickett the eighth knockout victory  of his professional career along with a UFC contract. Ultimate Fighting Championship. In his promotional debut, Pickett faced Tafon Nchukwi at on December 19, 2020. He lost the bout via unanimous decision. Pickett faced Jordan Wright on May 15, 2021, at UFC 262. He lost the bout via TKO in the first round. Pickett was scheduled to face Laureano Staropoli on October 9, 2021, at . However, after one of his coaches tested positive for COVID-19, the bout was moved to October 23 at . Pickett won the fight via unanimous decision. Pickett was scheduled to face Caio Borralho on January 15 , 2022 at UFC on ESPN 32. Borralho pulled out of the bout due to unknown reasons and was replaced by promotional newcomer Joseph Holmes. Pickett won the fight via unanimous decision. In a quick turn around, Pickett faced Kyle Daukaus, replacing Julian Marquez, on February 19, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 201. He lost the bout via d'arce choke in the first round. Pickett is scheduled to face Abdul Razak Alhassan on July 9, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 210.