Aaron Pico

USA

Prospect falls to 4-3
LightweightBellator
June 16, 2019
Pico was defeated by Adam Borics via TKO (flying knee and punches) at Bellator 222 on June 14 at Madison Square Garden.
ANALYSIS
Pico is one of the promotion's most hyped prospects, but after getting knocked out in back-to-back fights following a four-fight winning streak, some are fairly beginning to question his standup game. At the very least, his fights have all been exciting, as each has ended via KO/TKO and Friday was the first one to get to the second round. The previous plan was to potentially insert Pico into the upcoming featherweight tournament, but this performance makes it fair to question that course of action. It's clear Pico has a lot of work left to do, but considering he won't turn 23 until September, he has plenty of time to improve. A recent camp switch to Jackson-Wink MMA in Albuquerque is certainly a great first step.
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Changing camps
LightweightBellator
May 8, 2019
Pico will switch camps to JacksonWink MMA in Albuquerque, New Mexico ahead of a targeted fight at Bellator 222 on June 14, Marc Raimondi of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
Pico has been affiliated with a variety of smaller camps, but the 22-year-old top prospect caught a little bit of heat after now-former training partner T.J. Dillashaw tested positive for EPO and was handed a two-year ban. While JacksonWink is one of the most heralded camps in the sport, this move could be just as much about disassociating himself from that group of individuals. While the gym doesn't have many elite 145-pounders on its roster, it is the home of current light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and former women's bantamweight champion Holly Holm.
Tastes the power of Henry Corrales
LightweightBellator
January 26, 2019
Pico lost to Henry Corrales via knockout (punches) at 1:07 of Round 1 at Bellator 214 on Saturday in Los Angeles.
ANALYSIS
Pico was clearly looking to put Corrales on his highlight reel. He landed a hard uppercut early in the round. Corrales was hurt and fell to the ground. However, he recovered and got back to his feet. Pico continued to throw with reckless abandon. In the end, he got the better of the exchanges. He landed a three-punch combination on Pico, and he was basically out before the second and third landed. Pico has now dropped two fights since debuting as the reputed biggest prospect in MMA history. He is still very young, but he has now suffered two brutal losses.
Racks up another knockout victory at Bellator 206
LightweightBellator
September 29, 2018
Pico defeated Leandro Higo via TKO (punches) at 3:19 on Round 1 at Bellator 206 on Saturday in San Jose, Calif.
ANALYSIS
Since falling in his professional debut, Pico has entirely looked the part of the huge prospect. This fight was another example of his prodigious striking ability. He came out early in the fight and started throwing combinations. About halfway through the round, he landed a hard right hand that sent Higo to the ground. Pico was all over him, but Higo managed to get back to his feet and continued. However, Pico was undeterred and continued to come forward and eventually stopped the fight with another combinations. Pico improves to 4-1 and continues to show he is the real deal at featherweight.
Suffers hand injury in Bellator 199 victory
LightweightBellator
May 16, 2018
Pico has been suspended six months pending x-ray and doctor's clearance due to a possible left hand fracture suffered in Saturday's victory over Lee Morrison, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Pico rocked Morrison with a body shot that ended the fight, and it's unclear if the injury happened right in that moment or prior to the finish. It's impressive regardless, as Morrison was unable to recover after the shot connected to the liver area. Pico will likely be back in the cage prior to the end of 2018, but will have some minimal time on the shelf to allow him to get the injury checked out. As with any medical suspension, it's possible he could obtain clearance much earlier.
Picks up third-straight first-round finish at Bellator 199
LightweightBellator
May 12, 2018
Pico defeated Lee Morrison via TKO (punches) at 1:19 of Round 1 at Bellator 199 on Saturday in San Jose, Calif.
ANALYSIS
After Pico fell against an 8-2 fighter in his professional debut, many thought that Bellator was rushing the young prospect. However, they have continued to test him against fighters with impressive records, and he has passed those tests. Against Morrison, he picked up his second-straight finish due to a body strike. The uppercut he landed carried so much power, it forced Morrison to summersault backwards. Since his lackluster debut, Pico has done more than live up to the height. He has already built a 3-1 record in less than a year.