Featherweight Shakeup as Bellator Star Signs UFC Agreement
Aaron Pico’s long-anticipated move to the UFC is finally official.
The 28-year-old featherweight and former Bellator star, known for his explosive style and relentless drive, has signed an exclusive contract with the UFC. His manager, Ali Abdelaziz, confirmed the signing to ESPN on Tuesday. While the UFC hasn’t locked in a date for his debut just yet, Pico says he’s already deep into training and hopes to step into the Octagon very soon.
“I’m in camp, staying sharp,” Pico told ESPN. “Whenever they call me, I’m ready.”
A Journey Filled with High Hopes and Hard Lessons
Pico’s story has been one of sky-high expectations from the beginning. Signed to Bellator MMA back in 2014—before he even made his pro debut—Pico was hyped as one of the greatest prospects in MMA history. His incredible background in amateur wrestling and boxing only fueled the buzz.
When he finally fought professionally in 2017, the pressure was immense. The results, though, weren’t what many expected. Battling experienced fighters early on, Pico stumbled to a 4-3 start in his first seven bouts.
But instead of crumbling under the weight of those setbacks, Pico went back to work. He revamped his training, sharpened his striking, refined his grappling, and, most importantly, matured as a fighter.
The Turnaround
Pico’s dedication paid off. Over his last ten fights in Bellator, he racked up nine wins, with many of them coming in devastating fashion. His reputation for brutal knockouts—nine of his thirteen career victories came by KO—only grew.
By 2024, Pico was on the doorstep of a Bellator featherweight title shot. Many in the MMA world agreed: he was one of the best fighters outside the UFC. When Bellator closed its doors earlier this year, Pico’s free agency became one of the biggest stories in the sport.
Dana White Gets His Guy
It didn’t take long for UFC CEO Dana White to make his move. Earlier this year, White had openly expressed interest in bringing Pico to the UFC.
“Aaron Pico has all the tools — the athleticism, the mindset, the raw power. He’s still getting better every day,” White said at the time. “He’s exactly the kind of fighter we love to work with.”
Now, that wish has become reality. Pico is part of the UFC roster, and the featherweight division just got a lot more interesting.
Hard Lessons, Harder Comeback
Pico’s early struggles weren’t easy, but they made him the fighter he is today. Instead of running from tough moments, he embraced them, learned from them, and came out the other side sharper and stronger.
“Those tough losses—they were the best thing that ever happened to me,” Pico said in an earlier interview. “I needed them. They forced me to grow. Now, I’m ready for anything.”
The Pico entering the UFC now is not the raw prospect of 2017. He’s a seasoned, battle-tested warrior who knows how to adapt and overcome.
What’s Next for Pico
As for his UFC debut, fans are already buzzing about potential matchups. Some want a slow build—a veteran opponent to ease him into the Octagon. Others want to throw him straight into the fire against a top-15 featherweight.
Knowing Pico, he’ll be game for whatever challenge the UFC puts in front of him. He’s never been one to shy away from tough fights.
His aggressive style—mixing wrestling dominance with knockout power—makes him a nightmare matchup for many. Whether it’s a slow climb or an immediate leap into the rankings, one thing is clear: Aaron Pico’s UFC journey is going to be must-watch.
Source: Aaron Pico, former Bellator star, signs with UFC
A Featherweight Division on Edge
The UFC’s featherweight class is absolutely stacked. Ilia Topuria, Max Holloway, Brian Ortega, Movsar Evloev, Arnold Allen—it’s a shark tank.
Adding someone like Pico, who has the skills to wrestle with the best and the striking to end fights in a flash, only raises the stakes. If he finds success quickly, don’t be surprised if he’s knocking on the door of a title shot sooner than expected.
Reactions Pour In
The moment the signing went public, the MMA community lit up.
“Welcome to the big leagues, @AaronPicoUSA!” tweeted UFC bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili. “Excited to see what you do here.”
Fans on social media were just as excited. Reddit threads blew up. Fighters congratulated him. Analysts started fantasy matchmaking.
This wasn’t just another free-agent signing. It felt like a true “arrival.”
The New Beginning
For Aaron Pico, signing with the UFC isn’t just a career move—it’s the start of a new journey. After years of building himself up, overcoming hardships, and silencing doubters, he’s now stepping onto the sport’s biggest stage.
The featherweight division better be ready.
Aaron Pico is here. And he’s just getting started.
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