Aaron Pico Joins UFC, Set for Highly Anticipated Debut

Las Vegas, NV — Aaron Pico, a 28-year-old featherweight, has officially signed an exclusive contract with the UFC, his manager Ali Abdelaziz confirmed to ESPN on Tuesday. Although the UFC has yet to announce the exact date of his debut, Pico stated he is currently in training and hopes to fight as soon as possible.

Pico, who holds a professional record of 13-4, has competed exclusively for Bellator MMA since 2014, making his professional debut three years later. Initially viewed as a premier talent due to his extensive experience in amateur wrestling and boxing, Pico struggled early in his career, achieving a 4-3 record in his first seven fights against more seasoned opponents.

However, a resurgence in performance saw him win nine of his last ten bouts, putting him in line for a title shot in Bellator before the promotion halted operations this year. UFC CEO Dana White had previously expressed interest in signing Pico earlier in 2023. Notably, nine of Pico’s thirteen victories have come via knockout, making him one of the most intriguing prospects outside the UFC.

Pico’s signing comes at a time when many high-profile fighters are transitioning to the UFC, fueled by the recent shutdown of Bellator. His debut is particularly anticipated as he is expected to face undefeated contender Movsar Evloev, currently ranked fourth in the UFC featherweight division.

Evloev, who recently bested former Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling, is also poised for a title shot and holds a record that underscores his potential in the division. The speculation around Evloev versus Pico has generated significant buzz, especially ahead of this weekend’s UFC 314 event featuring a clash between former two-division Bellator Champion Patricio Pitbull and former interim UFC titleholder Yair Rodriguez.

Pico’s journey in MMA began with a rocky start when he was submitted just 24 seconds into his debut fight at Bellator NYC in 2017. However, he quickly rebounded, recording four consecutive first-round stoppages. Nonetheless, setbacks against renowned fighters such as Henry Corrales and Ádám Borics tested Pico’s resolve, leading to significant growth and adaptability.

After an unfortunate injury halted his six-fight winning streak in 2020, Pico managed to regain momentum, scoring notable victories over Bellator veterans James Gonzalez and Pedro Carvalho. He even avenged his earlier loss to Corrales with a first-round finish in February.

The anticipation surrounding Pico’s debut comes as the UFC is scheduled for a packed card on May 17, 2025, with significant matches lined up, including:

– Movsar Evloev vs. Aaron Pico

– Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev

– Paul Craig vs. Rodolfo Bellato

– Luana Punheiro vs. Tecia Pennington

– Luana Santos vs. Tainara Lisboa

– Hyun Sung Park vs. Carlos Hernandez

– Nursulton Ruziboev vs. Dustin Stoltzfus

– Matheus Camilo vs. Gabe Green

Fans and analysts alike are keen to see how Pico fares in his first bout with the UFC as he steps into one of the most competitive divisions in the organization.