Brad Pickett was looking for a new opponent for the final mixed martial arts fight of his career after Henry Briones fell out of the scheduled bout

Brad Pickett was looking for a new opponent for the last bout of his MMA career at next weekend’s UFC event in London and he has been granted his wish. After originally scheduled opponent Henry Briones fell out of the bout earlier this week, Pickett and the UFC were scrambling to locate someone to stand opposite the veteran Londoner for his final fight and, despite the likes of Tim Elliott, Neil Seery and Andy Young throwing their names about, the assignment has been handed to Marlon Vera.

Ecuador’s Vera is 2-2 in the UFC and fought to a unanimous decision loss to British fighter Davey Grant in London a year ago. His most recent appearance was a victorious one over Ning Guangyou at UFC Fight Night 101 in Australia.

UFC London will be headlined by a light heavyweight bout between Jimi Manuwa and Corey Anderson, while Gunnar Nelson faces Alan Jouban in the co-main.