Issue 037
May 2008
Cockney knockout artist Brad ‘One Punch’ Pickett has been one of Cage Rage’s biggest draws for years. The tough former boxer divides his training between the American Top Team and numerous London gyms in a concerted attempt to climb the featherweight ladder. Constantly on the move, Brad is a genuine expert at ensuring that he has all necessary equipment to hand in his well-worn Blitz kitbag.
Shorts
The London fighter recently took on a new sponsor – getspiked.co.uk – and has thus far been impressed by the comfort and design of his new custom-made shorts. “Get Spiked is an extreme sports brand, they sponsor surfers, snowboarders, skateboarders, mountain bikers and now they are just getting into MMA. I’m wearing their hoodies, their T-shirts, stuff like that, they are really nice.”
Gloves
Instead of choosing awkward MMA sparring gloves and throwing down with full force, Brad prefers to wear the same 4oz Blitz gloves in practise and competition, adjusting the power of his shots accordingly. “I use MMA gloves for sparring and normal boxing gloves, I don’t have those big ninja gloves. I normally use Blitz MMA gloves to do light technical grappling and light sparring and for the heavy sparring I use 12-14oz boxing gloves.”
“Again, my boxing gloves are Blitz as well, but I’ve also got some American Top Team own brand ones which I use.”
Shin guards
Opting for greater comfort rather than bulky protection, Brad goes for the Blitz MMA-specific shin guards. “I like the ones that you can slip on, not like proper kickboxing shin guards, the MMA ones you can slip on like a sleeve. I use them when training stand-up striking with takedowns.”
Strange but true
There’s always something unexpected lurking in the bottom of a pro fighter’s kitbag, and though it may seem strange, Brad’s odd addition is wholly functional: “Nail clippers. You need to have nail clippers because if I’m grappling with someone who ain’t cut their nails I give them to them, because I hate getting scratches all over my neck!”
Supplements and medication
Brad recommends SupplementsSelect.com and will not leave for training without at least one of their products. “I always like recovery drinks. I believe that if you’re going to train more than once a day, recovery drinks are very important between training sessions.”
Preparing at the intensity needed to simulate a professional fight, it is inevitable that competitors pick up bumps and bruises. “It’s a tough sport and Cryogel helps me sooth my aches and pains,” Brad said. “I always hand it out to other people. It’s tried and tested and I really do believe in it. You can’t use it on an open wound, but it helps any muscle pain – or like, a knock to your shin – you put this on, it soothes it out.”
Gumshield
Teeth are important. It’s as simple as that and the Team Titan fighter is taking no chances, “I’ve got a personalised gumshield I got from the dentist. It’s much better [than boil-and-bite gumshields] because it fits really well, don’t fall out and it makes sure your teeth don’t get knocked out – they are good, worth the money, definitely.”
As a testament to the protection his individual gumshield affords him, ‘One Punch’ has never had an issue with his teeth in sparring or competition, “I’ve knocked teeth out in a car accident, but not due to training!”
