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MMA legend Pickett backs Nathaniel Wood to make Fight Night impression after rapid-fire Lovine win
Bantamweight Champion Nathaniel Wood ended his fight in just under fifty seconds with a lightning left-hook knockout at Cage Warriors 92 against Luca Lovine to shock spectators.
Wood’s particular antics made a point, but while those watching were left impressed by the rapid-fire show, no-one was prouder than his coach.
The man himself, former UFC veteran Brad Pickett, has backed his charge to reach the very highest level of his game.
He said: “I’m very proud of what he’s done and what he’s achieved already but also I’m mesmerised by him as well. He surprises me sometimes; I know how talented he is but he looked amazing Saturday night.
“For him, winning that fight raises his stock. Luca Lovine was 12-1 but he didn’t just beat that guy, it was another highlight first-round knockout that’s going to go viral.
“He’s ticking all the right boxes and adding more every time.”
Although Pickett believed Wood could put him out in the first round he admitted he didn’t think it would happen in fifty seconds.
He added: “Nathaniel doesn’t throw hard but he’s so fast and accurate and with 4oz gloves on – he knocks people out clean.
“Technically, he hits extremely hard but it’s not because he’s throwing hard it’s because he has superb technique and speed.”
After Wood’s win many have called for him to be signed by the UFC including his coach who feels it’s time for him to step up in competition and would love nothing more than to see him on the UFC Liverpool card.
He said: “For me, with him winning this fight, no matter how he won it, I would have tried to get him on the Liverpool card.
“It’s about time now he needs to step up in competition and there’s no one around who’s he going to fight?”
One name that has been thrown into the mix is unbeaten Cage Warriors Bantamweight Jack Shore but Pickett made his feelings clear on that fight.
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“They may say Jack Shore because he’s unbeaten,” added Pickett. “I’m a coach and I’ve been in the game a long time. Jack Shore wouldn’t last a round.
“It’s not because Nathaniel Wood is my guy, it’s because Nathaniel is on a different level to these guys.”
“He’s not just going to get to the UFC and compete – I believe he’s going to get to the UFC and get top ten.
“When I went to the WEC (the UFC’s former incarnation) I didn’t want to go just to make up the numbers – I wanted to go in thinking I could compete with the top ten, and I think Nathaniel can. He can go into the UFC and definitely compete with the top ten.”
That leaves the question of who Nathaniel Wood should face should he ever step into the Octagon? Pickett says he hasn’t thought that far but made a confident prediction involving the former Bantamweight Champ Cody ‘No Love’ Garbrandt.
“I’ve not thought that far. You will laugh but I think he will do well against someone like Cody Garbrandt.
“I think that star match ups are perfect for him. I think he will knock Cody down right now. Stars make fights also confidence and skills and a bit of timing.
“I back him against a lot of people he’s on a different level.”
