However, he has no regrets whatsoever about taking that fight and claims it is the highlight of his career so far.
“I know that it was a loss at the end of the day but I’ve nothing but good things to take away from that fight,” Seery said at the UFC Dublin media day yesterday.
“When I fought Brad, what I took away from it was that I’m able to hang in there with the top level lads because that’s what he is. He has been in the UFC years and knocking people out.
Even though I was disappointed with the loss, I was able to stand there with one of the best from Europe.”
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The Team Ryano flyweight faces Phil Harris (22-12-0) in front of his home crowd this weekend and admits needing a win to stay in the UFC.
Back in May 2010, the pair faced off in Birmingham at BAMMA 3 but he lost out by an unanimous decision after three rounds.
This time, he expects his opponent to try nullify his game but believes it will make for an exciting match-up.
“My game is to stand up. The most exciting game is to walk forward. I know Phil can spoil the show as they say, by lying on top of you and shutting your game down. I’m not going to let that happen.
“I want to be on my feet and I want to be spectacular – Knocking people out. I need a win and Phil needs a win so hopefully it is going to make for a really exciting fight.”
If a big pay-day was to come from fighting would he pack it in?
“I have three kids and I have bills to pay like everybody else. I’m not getting any younger so I can’t just shut things off and go full steam at this.
“I’ve been working for the last 17 years so nothing’s going to change for me no matter what I get for the UFC.
“That’s business and this is pleasure. And I’m loving every minute of it!
I don’t know how fights who don’t work fill their day,” he adds. “There are only so many hours you can train during the day. What are these people doing? They must be asleep all day and awake all night!
“I would change nothing about this. The hard work got me here so there’s no point getting lazy.
“It’s one thing getting here but trying to stay here is another thing and that’s what I want to do.”
'Work is business, fighting is pleasure. And I’m loving every minute of it!' - Ireland's Seery
IRISH MMA FIGHTER Neil Seery insists he wouldn’t swap his life with anyone.
The 34-year-old from Dubliner (13-10) accepted a late call-up to step in for the injured Ian McCall and fight Brad Pickett on his UFC debut earlier this year but narrowly lost out to the Englishman.
However, he has no regrets whatsoever about taking that fight and claims it is the highlight of his career so far.
“I know that it was a loss at the end of the day but I’ve nothing but good things to take away from that fight,” Seery said at the UFC Dublin media day yesterday.
“When I fought Brad, what I took away from it was that I’m able to hang in there with the top level lads because that’s what he is. He has been in the UFC years and knocking people out.
The Team Ryano flyweight faces Phil Harris (22-12-0) in front of his home crowd this weekend and admits needing a win to stay in the UFC.
Back in May 2010, the pair faced off in Birmingham at BAMMA 3 but he lost out by an unanimous decision after three rounds.
This time, he expects his opponent to try nullify his game but believes it will make for an exciting match-up.
“My game is to stand up. The most exciting game is to walk forward. I know Phil can spoil the show as they say, by lying on top of you and shutting your game down. I’m not going to let that happen.
“I want to be on my feet and I want to be spectacular – Knocking people out. I need a win and Phil needs a win so hopefully it is going to make for a really exciting fight.”
Balancing act
Seery balances a day job and raising three children with intensive MMA training, and famously tweeted a photo of sweeping a warehouse floor at work days after taking on Pickett.
If a big pay-day was to come from fighting would he pack it in?
“I have three kids and I have bills to pay like everybody else. I’m not getting any younger so I can’t just shut things off and go full steam at this.
“I’ve been working for the last 17 years so nothing’s going to change for me no matter what I get for the UFC.
“That’s business and this is pleasure. And I’m loving every minute of it!
“I would change nothing about this. The hard work got me here so there’s no point getting lazy.
“It’s one thing getting here but trying to stay here is another thing and that’s what I want to do.”
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