Aaron Pico
USA
Gets knocked out in UFC debut
Pico lost to Lerone Murphy via KO (spinning back elbow) at 3:21 of Round 1 at UFC 319 on Saturday in Chicago, Illinois.
ANALYSIS
Pico looked good in the early stages of this one, using his wrestling and body work to get out ahead of Murphy. However, his undefeated counterpart was catching him coming in, which may have inspired Murphy to throw the elbow as Pico attempted to change levels. The 28-year-old has as much firepower as anyone in the division, but Murphy may have exposed a hole in his defense, as he frequently walked into range with his hands down during this fight. Pico will need to plug his leaks in a hurry, as his pedigree is unlikely to get him any fights against soft competition. He falls to 13-5-0 in professional MMA due to the loss.
Pico looked good in the early stages of this one, using his wrestling and body work to get out ahead of Murphy. However, his undefeated counterpart was catching him coming in, which may have inspired Murphy to throw the elbow as Pico attempted to change levels. The 28-year-old has as much firepower as anyone in the division, but Murphy may have exposed a hole in his defense, as he frequently walked into range with his hands down during this fight. Pico will need to plug his leaks in a hurry, as his pedigree is unlikely to get him any fights against soft competition. He falls to 13-5-0 in professional MMA due to the loss.
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New debut opponent scheduled
Pico will take on Lerone Murphy in a featherweight matchup at UFC 319 on August 16, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Pico hasn't had a fight since February of 2024, when he picked up his second consecutive stoppage victory on the "PFL vs. Bellator" card. Long regarded as one of Bellator's best up-and-comers, Pico is now past "prospect" status at the age of 28 and is immediately getting thrown into the fire in his UFC debut. Murphy may be six years older, but he's undefeated as a pro, and the Manchester-based striker will hold height and reach advantages. He'll arguably be the best opponent Pico has faced off with to date, and the two will get to throw down in a big spot on a pay-per-view card.
Pico hasn't had a fight since February of 2024, when he picked up his second consecutive stoppage victory on the "PFL vs. Bellator" card. Long regarded as one of Bellator's best up-and-comers, Pico is now past "prospect" status at the age of 28 and is immediately getting thrown into the fire in his UFC debut. Murphy may be six years older, but he's undefeated as a pro, and the Manchester-based striker will hold height and reach advantages. He'll arguably be the best opponent Pico has faced off with to date, and the two will get to throw down in a big spot on a pay-per-view card.
Awaiting new challenger
Pico will no longer fight Movsar Evloev at UFC Abu Dhabi on July 26, MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Pico's UFC debut was set agaisnt Movsar Evloev but an unexpected withdrawal will bring in a new fighter into the octagon. Aaron was facing the No. 4 prospect in his category and will hopefully get another strong rival to kick off his UFC career. More news should surface in the coming days.
Pico's UFC debut was set agaisnt Movsar Evloev but an unexpected withdrawal will bring in a new fighter into the octagon. Aaron was facing the No. 4 prospect in his category and will hopefully get another strong rival to kick off his UFC career. More news should surface in the coming days.
UFC debut scheduled
Pico is scheduled to compete against fellow featherweight Movsar Evloev at UFC Abu Dhabi on July 26, per the promotion's president Dana White.
ANALYSIS
Fortunately for Pico, the UFC is giving him an immediate chance to establish top contender status. Currently, Evloev is No. 4 in the UFC's featherweight rankings. Even though Pico's next opponent still has room to grow, he is also undefeated in the promotion.
Fortunately for Pico, the UFC is giving him an immediate chance to establish top contender status. Currently, Evloev is No. 4 in the UFC's featherweight rankings. Even though Pico's next opponent still has room to grow, he is also undefeated in the promotion.
Signs with UFC
Pico has signed a contract with UFC on Tuesday, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
The featherweight contender secured his release from the PFL promotion and signed a deal to join the roster at the UFC, though it's unclear when he'll make his debut with the promotion. Pico joins the UFC in good momentum, as he's gone 9-1 over his previous 10 bouts between PFL and Bellator.
The featherweight contender secured his release from the PFL promotion and signed a deal to join the roster at the UFC, though it's unclear when he'll make his debut with the promotion. Pico joins the UFC in good momentum, as he's gone 9-1 over his previous 10 bouts between PFL and Bellator.
Prospect falls to 4-3
Pico was defeated by Adam Borics via TKO (flying knee and punches) at Bellator 222 on June 14 at Madison Square Garden.
ANALYSIS
Pico is one of the promotion's most hyped prospects, but after getting knocked out in back-to-back fights following a four-fight winning streak, some are fairly beginning to question his standup game. At the very least, his fights have all been exciting, as each has ended via KO/TKO and Friday was the first one to get to the second round. The previous plan was to potentially insert Pico into the upcoming featherweight tournament, but this performance makes it fair to question that course of action. It's clear Pico has a lot of work left to do, but considering he won't turn 23 until September, he has plenty of time to improve. A recent camp switch to Jackson-Wink MMA in Albuquerque is certainly a great first step.
Pico is one of the promotion's most hyped prospects, but after getting knocked out in back-to-back fights following a four-fight winning streak, some are fairly beginning to question his standup game. At the very least, his fights have all been exciting, as each has ended via KO/TKO and Friday was the first one to get to the second round. The previous plan was to potentially insert Pico into the upcoming featherweight tournament, but this performance makes it fair to question that course of action. It's clear Pico has a lot of work left to do, but considering he won't turn 23 until September, he has plenty of time to improve. A recent camp switch to Jackson-Wink MMA in Albuquerque is certainly a great first step.