Exciting news for MMA fans as Aaron Pico has officially signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The highly regarded featherweight contender has successfully secured his release from the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and inked a deal to join the UFC ranks, according to sources close to the situation.
Pico himself confirmed the signing through a post on social media, expressing his excitement and gratitude. He stated, “After years of dedication and hard work, it`s official – I`m a UFC fighter! This is a dream come true and the start of an exciting new chapter.” He thanked his family, manager Ali Abdelaziz, coaches, training partners, and fans for their unwavering support.
Looking ahead, Pico has set his sights high, aiming to become the UFC featherweight champion. He emphasized his readiness to work harder than ever to achieve this ultimate goal.
This move comes after Pico was technically a free agent following his PFL contract, although the promotion held matching rights. Pico had previously indicated his willingness to wait out these rights to pursue his UFC dream. Ultimately, PFL allowed Pico to move forward, paving the way for his highly anticipated UFC debut, which is expected to be scheduled soon.
At 28 years old, Pico is considered one of MMA`s brightest prospects. His background includes wrestling and boxing, and he initially signed with Bellator MMA as a teenager while still pursuing Olympic wrestling aspirations. After narrowly missing the 2016 Olympic team, he fully transitioned to MMA. Despite an initial setback in his debut, Pico rebounded impressively. Training with renowned coaches Brandon Gibson and Greg Jackson, he achieved a 9-1 record in his last ten fights across Bellator and PFL. His only defeat during this period was due to a shoulder injury against Jeremy Kennedy. He quickly recovered, securing three consecutive victories, including a knockout win against Henry Corrales in early 2024, avenging a previous loss.
Now, Aaron Pico enters the UFC featherweight division, aiming to quickly climb the rankings. The division is set to crown a new champion soon, adding further excitement to Pico`s arrival.
