Ian McCall Injured, Brad Pickett Without Opponent at UFC Fight Night 37

---

Ian McCall has been forced to withdraw from a flyweight showdown with Brad Pickett at UFC Fight Night 37.

UFC President Dana White announced the news on Thursday, according to a report from UFC broadcast partner Fox Sports. The promotion is now reportedly seeking a replacement for the injured “Uncle Creepy.”

UFC Fight Night 37 takes place March 8 at the O2 Arena in London and is headlined by a light heavyweight meeting between former title challenger Alexander Gustafsson and hard-hitting Englishman Jimi Manuwa. The event streams live on UFC Fight Pass and will also see Ross Pearson collide with Melvin Guillard in a lightweight rematch.

McCall, 29, halted a two-fight skid in his most recent outing, when he outpointed game Brazilian Iliarde Santos this past August at UFC 163. A 17-fight pro, the former Tachi Palace Fights champion was also forced to withdraw from a planned Dec. 14 clash with Scott Jorgensen due to injury.

Pickett, 35, has suffered defeats in two of his last three outings, prompting the longtime 135-pound talent to make the move to flyweight. “One Punch” last competed on Aug. 17, suffering a second-round submission defeat to Michael McDonald in a “Fight of the Night” worthy effort at UFC Fight Night 26.