Aaron
Pico is officially headed to the
Ultimate Fighting Championship.
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Multiple outlets confirmed the news following an initial report
from ESPN. While there were rumors of Pico making his
Octagon debut against Movsar
Evloev, a date and opponent for the Bellator
MMA veteran’s first UFC foray have not been confirmed at this
time. Pico was granted his release from
Professional Fighters League, which purchased Bellator late in
2023 before dissolving the promotion this year.
fter years of hard work, dedication, and unwavering belief, I’ve
officially signed with the UFC! This is more than just a dream come
true; it’s the beginning of a new chapter,” Pico wrote on
Instagram. “Thank you to my family, coaches, training partners, and
everyone who has supported me on this journey. Your belief in me
has fueled my fire. The ultimate goal? To become the UFC champion.
I’m ready to work harder than ever before to make that a
reality.”
A former Golden Gloves boxing champion and a decorated freestyle
wrestler, Pico owns a 13-4 mark in MMA. That record was compiled
primarily under the Bellator banner, where he entered the
organization as one of the most highly-touted prospects in recent
memory. While the Californian endured his share of ups and downs
early on, he has been victorious in nine of his last 10
professional outings.
The 28-year-old
Jackson-Wink MMA representative last appeared at a PFL vs.
Bellator event in February 2024, where he avenged a previous loss
to Henry
Corrales with a first-round technical knockout victory. While
that bout was contested at 155 pounds, Pico is expected to compete
at featherweight in the UFC.