Aaron Pico definitely appreciated his time fighting for Bellator MMA, but he always knew if he truly wanted to be considered the best in the world, his journey had to lead to the UFC.
After spending one fight in the PFL following an acquisition of all the Bellator assets, the now 28-year-old featherweight hit free agency after his contract expired and he immediately set his sights on joining the UFC roster. Following a public spat that eventually led to PFL relinquishing matching rights on him, Pico officially signed with the UFC on Tuesday and now the hard work really begins.
“It’s the biggest organization in the world, and I don’t see anybody stopping them to be honest with you,” Pico told MMA Fighting about the UFC prior to his signing. “It’s just the highest level. Let’s just call it what it is. I’m sure there’s guys in other organizations that can compete and win titles, but unless you’re a UFC champion, you don’t have the respect. Why do you think Patricio Pitbull wants to go to the UFC so bad?
“A lot of people want to do it because it is the best organization in the world and you see the horsepower. You see the amount of work that they put in. Not to say other organizations don’t but I’m sure all those guys at the UFC work day in and day out. That’s who I want to fight for. I want to go do my job, they do their job and I think we do really good business together.”
Of course, Pitbull was the reigning Bellator featherweight champion before he also secured his release and signed with the UFC with his debut set for Saturday against Yair Rodriguez.
Pico wanted the same type of opportunities, especially as he enters the prime of his career with hopes that he’ll get to make a run at a UFC title sooner rather than later.
“I’m getting better,” Pico said. “It’s crazy to think about. I always think about my first fight and where I was mentally and the things that I knew compared to now. It’s so crazy to me. I think how did I even fight? The skills that I’m acquiring now, and I’m still learning a lot with all my coaches. I’m finally at the point mentally where I will fight anybody on any given day. At 145 pounds, I truly believe I will beat anybody on the planet at 145 pounds. That really feels good mentally.
“Because a couple of years ago when I first started out, there’s always [that feeling] I’ll go and fight, I’ve always had that inside of me but there’s still a little bit of hesitation. I don’t know about this, I don’t know about that. But ever since I’ve been around Brandon Gibson and coach Greg [Jackson] and I put in a lot of time and effort with them, I’m finally at the point in my life where I’m like I will fight anybody at 145 pounds or anybody in the world. Now’s the time to do it.”
Much like Michael Chandler and Kayla Harrison before him, Pico is joining the UFC roster with a lot of hype and expectation but none higher than the aspirations he has for himself.
Pico isn’t necessarily a household name just yet but he always felt that would change once he landed in the UFC. Now he’s finally got the chance to prove it.
“The UFC fans haven’t seen me yet,” Pico said. I think that’s a whole different ballgame. I’m excited.”
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