Although the UFC has been the place to be in the MMA sphere ever since PRIDE FC folded in 2007, it doesn’t mean that its talent pool is always the best. The tag and effort of competing in Dana White’s juggernaut is massive but this isn’t the end. And it is no secret that White has been acquiring fighters left, right and center from other MMA organisations such as Strikeforce, WEC, Cage Warriors and Rizin. There’s a long list! Daniel Cormier, Luke Rockhold, Rondy Rousey, Conor McGregor! If you want to talk about recent signings, then Michael Chandler, Patricio Pitbull and Michael Venom Page come to mind. And it seems that the head honcho has found his next big prospect in the dynamic 13-4 featherweight ace Aaron Pico.
And the excitement is at fever pitch! Regarded by Chael Sonnen and Scott Coker as the as the ‘greatest prospect in MMA history’, Pico is a former Olympic wrestling hopeful and started the sport at the tender age of 4. In addition, he made his pro-MMA debut at just 20 and has been on a tear ever since. Discovered by Bob Cook who was also responsible for scouting Cormier for Coker land, the AKA great has been beyond hopeful about the 145fer ever since he was 17.
For the unversed, right after Pico was signed to Bellator, Ex-UFC owner Lorenzo Fertitta contacted Cook and lodged a complaint. Cook recalled in an interview with ESPN, “Lorenzo said, ‘Hey, you didn’t give us a shot at signing Pico. I said, ‘Well, you guys don’t have a program over there for someone with no fights.’ He told me, ‘Next time, give us a call. The UFC has a developmental program now.” Imagine the hype!
Since 2014, Pico had been under the now-defunct Bellator banner but is set to change now! After having issues with new owners PFL, Pico was reported to be a free agent by his manager, Ali Abdelaziz with White and Co. being interested in signing him. And as reported by Red Corner MMA, the featherweight juggernaut has joined the UFC and will finally step inside the Octagon. However, Dana White is no mood of favors as Pico’s debut will be against top-ranked contender and undefeated Russian phenom Movsar Evloev. The duo is reportedly set to clash at on May 17 later this year.
For the unversed, the Russian has been on a tear and is most likely next in line for the featherweight title. Slaying Diego Lopes and former 135lbs champ Aljamain Sterling means something! Moreover, both Alexander Volkanovski and Lopes have chosen the Russian to be their first potential title defense opponent. And so, Pico’s first test inside the Octagon is not gonna be a cakewalk by any measure!
With news regarding signing with the UFC, Pico had expressed his desire to fight for the promotion earlier this year. He told MMA Junkie, “I am a free agent, but there’s only one little thing, one hiccup. That PFL has the right to match any offer I receive. So I’m still waiting for an offer from the UFC, but that’s the hiccup that I have in my contract. UFC is where I want to go.”
PFL boss Donn Davis didn’t waste any to clarify this issue on X by posting “Love Aaron Pico, rising star fighter and great person. To be clear @PFLMMA is NOT holding him back, Pico as free agent can sign TODAY with @UFC and then #PFLMMA can decide whether to match offer. That is standard MMA contract Pico signed and how MMA industry works for everyone.”
With the UFC 314 main event fast approaching, the promotion might be looking for a new contender to step up. With Ilia Topuria no longer in the picture, there’s a growing sense that the featherweight division needs a fresh, recognizable face—and Aaron Pico, long regarded as one of the sport’s top prospects, could be exactly what they’re looking for. His reputation precedes him, and the UFC may see him as the perfect injection of talent and excitement. And who knows? He might not be the only PFL fighter making a return to the Octagon!
Dana White may get another shot at signing a former UFC fighter
UFC CEO Dana White was not pleased when Shane Burgos decided to join the PFL. The head honcho openly stated that Burgos was an exciting fighter and that the promotion “f—-d it up” by allowing him to leave. If you’re curious about why the bossman expressed such rare regret for him, please take a look at his fight against Charles Jourdain.
Despite White’s disappointment, the UFC CEO wished Burgos and the PFL good luck and happiness. However, the situation has since changed. Shane Burgos, following the loss to Clay Collard at the 2023 PFL playoffs has pleaded to get back and also retire in the UFC.
He revealed to InsideFighting, “There’s one option for me in my head, I wanna finish my career in the UFC. I went to the PFL, and I have zero regrets, hindsight’s 2020 and again, I have zero regrets, I made good money over there.”
Do you think Aaron Picko will become the one to stop Movsar Evloev? Please comment your thoughts below.
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