Aaron Pico all the time knew he’d find yourself within the UFC. Because it seems, at the moment is that day.
Nicely, not precisely, however earlier this week, Pico confirmed that he would signal with the Final Preventing Championship after only one battle below the PFL banner following its acquisition of Bellator in late 2023.
Like one other current UFC signee, Patricio Pitbull, Pico had a reasonably public breakup along with his earlier employer, main them to relinquish all matching rights and permitting the Jackson Wink product to lastly unfold his wings on MMA’s greatest stage.
“It’s the largest group on the earth, and I don’t see anyone stopping them to be sincere with you,” Pico informed MMA Preventing concerning the UFC previous to his signing. “It’s simply the best stage. Let’s simply name it what it’s. I’m certain there’s guys in different organizations that may compete and win titles, however until you’re a UFC champion, you don’t have the respect. Why do you suppose Patricio Pitbull needs to go to the UFC so dangerous?
“Lots of people need to do it as a result of it’s the greatest group on the earth and also you see the horsepower. You see the quantity of labor that they put in. To not say different organizations don’t however I’m certain all these guys on the UFC work day in and time out. That’s who I need to battle for. I need to go do my job, they do their job and I feel we do actually good enterprise collectively.”
Aaron Pico is able to take the featherweight division by storm
Pitbull makes his promotional debut this Saturday night time at UFC 314, squaring off with former interim featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez. With a win, Pitbull might put himself in place for a title shot.
Pico hopes he can rating himself an identical alternative as he enters the prime of his blended martial arts profession.
“I’m getting higher,” Pico mentioned. “It’s loopy to consider. I all the time take into consideration my first battle and the place I used to be mentally and the issues that I knew in comparison with now. It’s so loopy to me. I feel how did I even battle? The abilities that I’m buying now, and I’m nonetheless studying lots with all my coaches. I’m lastly on the level mentally the place I’ll battle anyone on any given day. At 145 kilos, I actually consider I’ll beat anyone on the planet at 145 kilos. That actually feels good mentally.
“As a result of a few years in the past once I first began out, there’s all the time [that feeling] I’ll go and battle, I’ve all the time had that inside me however there’s nonetheless somewhat little bit of hesitation. I don’t learn about this, I don’t learn about that. However ever since I’ve been round Brandon Gibson and coach Greg [Jackson] and I put in a variety of effort and time with them, I’m lastly on the level in my life the place I’m like I’ll battle anyone at 145 kilos or anyone on the earth. Now’s the time to do it.”
Not like among the different massive names to come back over from Bellator or the PFL, like Michael Chandler, Kayla Harrison, and Pitbull, Pico hasn’t established himself as a giant star within the sport simply but.
However for Pico, he believes it’s only a matter of time earlier than the UFC and its legion of followers get to see what he’s actually able to.
“The UFC followers haven’t seen me but,” Pico mentioned. “I feel that’s a complete completely different ballgame. I’m excited.”
