Aaron Pico, a former Bellator star with a 13-4 record and numerous highlight-reel knockouts, has officially joined the UFC’s featherweight division, sparking mixed reactions about his potential success in the octagon.
Aaron Pico was a star in Bellator, but will he find similar success in UFC?
The 28-year-old featherweight officially announced he’d made the jump on Monday. Speculation is buzzing about when he’ll debut and who his first UFC opponent will be. Pico enters the promotion with plenty of hype after compiling a 13-4 record inside the Bellator cage with numerous highlight-reel knockouts under his belt.
From Day 1, Pico has been the subject of intense scrutiny. He made his pro MMA debut at the age of 20 with experts labeling him as a blue-chip prospect. But, he fell to Zach Freeman in a stunning upset. He went on to win 12 of his next 16 fights. His most recent wins? First-round finishes of veterans Henry Corrales and Pedro Carvalho.
Pico competed once under the PFL banner following the league acquiring Bellator in November 2023. Now, he joins a loaded 145-pound UFC roster.
Fans are mixed on the marquee signing. Some predict even greater stardom for Pico, while others suggest the bright lights of the octagon might be too much for him.
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