CWFC Champ Neil Seery Takes Short-Notice Bout with Brad Pickett at UFC Fight Night 38

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Irish flyweight Neil Seery will replace an injured Ian McCall at UFC Fight Night 38.

The reigning Cage Warriors Fighting Championship titlist has stepped up on just 16 days’ notice to face Brad Pickett at the March 8 event, which takes place at the O2 Arena in London and is headlined by a light heavyweight clash pitting onetime title challenger Alexander Gustafsson against hard-punching Englishman Jimi Manuwa.

Seery, 34, rides a four-fight winning streak into his Octagon debut. “2 Tap” captured the Cage Warriors title in his most recent outing, submitting Mikael Silander this past June to become the promotion’s inaugural 125-pound king. The Irishman was then expected to defend his belt against UFC alum Ulysses Gomez at CWFC 62, but the booking was scrapped after Gomez was hospitalized while trying to make weight.

Pickett, 35, will make his flyweight debut following his August submission defeat to former bantamweight title challenger Michael McDonald. “One Punch” posted a 3-3 Octagon record at 135 pounds, earning wins over Damacio Page, Yves Jabouin and Mike Easton while falling to McDonald, Eddie Wineland and future titleholder Renan Barao.