Aaron Pico has officially joined the UFC and is already focused on achieving championship status.
After an exclusive run of 17 fights with Bellator, Pico signed a multi-fight contract with the UFC earlier this month as a free agent. In a recent appearance on the Pound 4 Pound podcast with Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo, Pico shared that he almost entered the UFC much earlier in his career.
“Many are unaware that the UFC also made an offer initially,” Pico revealed, discussing his move from wrestling to MMA. “They presented an offer, but without going into excessive detail, I wasn`t informed about it and subsequently signed with Bellator. I am grateful for all the support from Scott Coker, Mike Hogan, Rich Chou, and the entire Bellator team, as they were instrumental in my development. However, it was after signing with Bellator that I learned of the UFC`s interest. It has taken me eight years to arrive here. That`s the full story.”
“Now that I`m here, the real work begins. I`m not interested in simply participating in the UFC; my aim is to win the championship belt, and I will not stop until I achieve it.”
Pico, recognized as a highly promising MMA prospect, transitioned to mixed martial arts in 2017 after a successful career in freestyle wrestling and boxing. Over eight years in Bellator, he compiled a professional record of 13-4, establishing himself as a top featherweight contender. Throughout his Bellator tenure, the UFC remained his ultimate goal, and now that he has arrived, his focus is firmly set on championship gold.
“My competitive nature drives me to prove myself against the best. I believe I can bring a different level of competition,” Pico stated. “I am seeking the opportunity to demonstrate this… The UFC belt is what we are after. I want to make my mark in history.”
“Let`s be clear, Patricio Pitbull is a true legend, one of the sport`s best. His numerous Bellator title defenses and championships are impressive, but ultimately, in the eyes of many, the significance of those achievements is diminished without a UFC belt.”
Despite rumors of a potential debut fight against Movsar Evloev, it did not materialize. Pico is currently awaiting confirmation of his first UFC opponent. The 28-year-old is determined to make a statement in his debut, aiming to quickly position himself for a title fight in his second UFC appearance.
“I set a goal around eight or nine months ago to become UFC champion by 2026,” Pico disclosed. “I genuinely believe in my ability to achieve this. If they provide me with the fights, I am confident in executing my plan.”
“[Facing opponents like] Ortega or Aljamain Sterling would be ideal. Then, I aim to go directly for the title. I am pursuing the championship. A dominant knockout victory should warrant a title shot immediately.”
