Longtime Bellator Veteran Aaron Pico Signs with UFC

Aaron Pico is officially headed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

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.

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