| Aaron Pico | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 Pico in 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | Aaron Pico (1996-09-23)September 23, 1996 (age 29) Whittier, California, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 145 lb (66 kg; 10.4 st) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Division | Lightweight (155 lbs) (2017) Featherweight (145 lbs) (2017–present) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reach | 70+1⁄2 in (179 cm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Style | Wrestling,Boxing,Pankration | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fighting out of | Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team | American Kickboxing Academy (2014–2017)[1] The Body Shop MMA (2017–2019)[1] Jackson Wink MMA Academy (2019–present)[2] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trainer | Greg Jackson (Head Coach) Valentin Kalika,Sazhid Sazhidov (formerly) (Wrestling) Sam Calavitta (Strength and Conditioning) Roberto Alencar (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) Freddie Roach (Boxing) Brandon Gibson (MMA trainer) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rank | Blue belt inBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Roberto Alencar[3] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wrestling | Freestyle wrestling[4] Greco-Roman wrestling[5] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years active | 2017–present | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mixed martial arts record | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wins | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By knockout | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By submission | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By decision | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By knockout | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By submission | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mixed martial arts record fromSherdog | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Aaron Pico (born September 23, 1996) is an Americanmixed martial artist and formerfreestyle wrestler. He currently competes in thefeatherweight division of theUltimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He started out his career inBellator MMA, where he fought his first 17 bouts.[6]
In freestyle wrestling, Pico competed at65 kilograms, where he was notably an Olympic alternate in2016, as well as a U17 World champion in 2013.[7]
Pico was born September 23, 1996, inWhittier, California. He is a seventh-generationCalifornio and a member of thePico family of California, as great-great-great-great-grandson ofPío Pico, the last governor of California under Mexico rule and the 10thGovernor of Alta California.[8] Pico startedwrestling at the age of four, and competed in multiple othercombat sports.[9] At age ten, he beganboxing and competing in Pankration tournaments.[9]
During hisfreshman year ofhigh school, Pico capped off a perfect 42–0 season atSt. John Bosco High School and won theCIF state championship at 132 pounds.[10][11] Afterwards, Pico would compete infreestyle, claiming the U17 World title at 63 kilograms over Japan in the title match.[12] He made his senior freestyle debut at age 18, defeating Alibeggadzhi Emeev in a lopsided decision in a dual meet against Russia.[13]
The top-rankedhigh school wrestler in the country in 2014, he signed major endorsement contracts with Dethrone Royalty, an MMA lifestyle apparel company, and a multi-year shoe endorsement withNike, Inc., turning into aprofessional athlete and making him ineligible to compete incollegiate wrestling underNCAA rules.[14] Pico stated he intended to focus solely infreestyle to continue amixed martial arts career after a2016 Olympic run, foregoing further education.[15] Before his MMA debut, Pico explained:[16]
"I always had it in mind that I would be an MMA fighter. I'm not going to waste my time with four, five years of college and get my MMA career started. I said I'm going to be in MMA so, I want to try and make this Olympic team, win a gold and then become a MMA fighter."
In 2014, Pico claimed the U20 US National Championship in April by defeatingPenn State'sZain Retherford in the finals, and went on to defeat him two more times in June for the U20 US World Team spot.[17]
In July, Pico competed in the senior level, claiming a silver medal from the Grand Prix of Spain, only falling toWorld medalist from ItalyFrank Chamizo.[18] In August, he competed at the U20 World Championships, where he notably defeatedDaichi Takatani from Japan in the first round, and went on to defeat four more foreign opponents bytechnical fall before facing eventual2016 Olympic Gold medalist from IranHassan Yazdani, whom he lost to on points.[19]
In October, Pico placed third at the prestigious Soslan Andiev International in Russia.[18] In November, he claimed his first senior level gold medal, winning the Henri Deglane Grand Prix, earning the biggest win of his career over2013 World Champion from ArmeniaDavid Safaryan in the finals.[20]
To start off the year, he competed at theGolden Grand Prix Ivan Yarygin in January, placing 21st after a first-round loss toAkhmed Chakaev.[21] In February, he claimed the Cerro Pelado International title, defeating Pan American champions from Cuba Franklin Marén andAlejandro Valdés, as well as two-time US World Team MemberReece Humphrey.[22]
In April, Pico fell toDan Hodge Trophy winnerBrent Metcalf in a dual meet againstIowa.[23] He then went back to the U20 level to claim the US National Championship in May and the US World Team spot in June, defeatingZain Retherford three times in the process.[24] In August, Pico placed third at the U20 World Championships, bringing a bronze medal to the United States.[25]
Back to the senior level, Pico placed fifth at the Intercontinental Cup, third at the Bill Farrell International and fourth at the US National Championships (qualifying for the 2016 US Olympic Team Trials) before the year ended.[26][27]
To open up the year, Pico moved up to 70 kilograms for two tournaments, placing fifth at the Ukrainian International Open and third at the Alexander Medved Prizes, compiling notable victories over three-time NCAA DIII championNazar Kulchytskyy,2010 Asian Games Gold medalist from MongoliaGanzorigiin Mandakhnaran and 2015 U23 European Continental medalist from BelarusAndrei Karpach.[28][29]
At theUS Olympic Team Trials, Pico defeated 2010 NCAA champion Jason Ness, two-time NCAA champion and US National finalistJordan Oliver and three-time US National championReece Humphrey to make the best-of-three finals, where he would face reigning Pan American champion and 2012 NCAA championFrank Molinaro, whom he was 2–1 against.[30] After defeating Molinaro first round, Pico was defeated twice in closely-scored matches, losing in the best-of-three format and becoming the alternate.[31] This was Pico's last wrestling match before transitioning into MMA.[32]
In addition to wrestling, Pico also competed in boxing and Pankration. Pico won the national PAL championship in 2008 and was national Junior Golden Gloves champion in 2009, he won 'most outstanding boxer' at both tournaments. In Pankration, Pico also was a national champion in 2008. In addition, Pico went toUkraine in 2010, and won the golden cup European Pankration championship. During this time Pico also won the California state championships in both sports.[33]
Pico signed an endorsement contract with Dethrone Royalty[when?], an MMA lifestyle apparel company owned byNick Swinmurn, founder ofZappos and ownership partner of theGolden State Warriors.[citation needed]
In April 2014, Aaron signed a multi-year shoe endorsement with Nike.[14][34]
In early November 2014, Aaron signed a long term unprecedented contract with MMA promoterBellator MMA and its parent companyViacom, as their new blue chip prospect.[35]Bellator MMA President,Scott Coker stated, "Simply put, Aaron has all the makings of MMA's next great superstar, and to have him here atBellator MMA is something special. Like many of us in the MMA community, Aaron is someone we've been watching closely over the last few years, and after sitting down with Bob Cook and his team, getting a chance to meet Aaron, and hearing his long-term aspirations, the fit became very obvious."[36]
Pico made his professional MMA debut atBellator NYC on June 24, 2017, at theMadison Square Garden. He lost to Zach Freeman via submission just 24 seconds into the first round in an upset.[37]
After his upset loss to Freeman, Pico moved down to the featherweight division and faced Justin Linn atBellator 183 on September 23, 2017.[38] He won the fight via knockout in the first round.
Pico faced Shane Krutchen atBellator 192 on January 20, 2018.[39] He won the fight via TKO in the first round.[40] with a brutal left to Krutchen's body.[41]
Pico faced Lee Morrison atBellator 199 on May 12, 2018.[42] He won the fight via TKO in the first round.[43]
Pico facedLeandro Higo atBellator 206 on September 29, 2018.[44] He won the fight via technical knockout in round one.[45]
Pico facedHenry Corrales atBellator 214 on January 26, 2019. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.[46]
Pico facedÁdám Borics atBellator 222 on June 14, 2019.[47] He lost the fight via technical knockout in the second round.[48]
Pico faced Daniel Carey atBellator 238 on January 25, 2020.[49] He won the fight via knockout in the second round.[50]
Pico faced Chris Hatley Jr. atBellator 242 on July 24, 2020.[51] He won the fight via submission in the first round.[52]
Pico faced John de Jesus atBellator 252 on November 12, 2020.[53] He won via second round knockout.[54]
Pico was expected to face Aiden Lee on April 16, 2021, atBellator 257.[55] However, on April 4, Pico had to pull out of the bout due to medical issues.[56] The fight eventually took place atBellator 260 on June 11, 2021.[57] He won the fight via submission in the third round.[58]
Pico faced Justin Gonzales on November 12, 2021, atBellator 271.[59] He won the bout in dominant fashion via unanimous decision.[60]
As the first bout of his new, multi-fight contract Pico was scheduled to faceJeremy Kennedy on April 15, 2022, atBellator 277.[61][62] However, Kennedy withdrew 8 days before the event and Adli Edwards replaced him.[63][64] He won the bout via TKO in the third round.[65]
The bout againstJeremy Kennedy was rebooked for October 1, 2022, atBellator 286.[66] After hurting his shoulder mid way through the first round, the bout was stopped after the first round by the doctor.[67] It was later revealed that Pico had not sustained a break, just a dislocation.[68]
Pico was scheduled to return from injury against Otto Rodrigues on April 22, 2023, atBellator 295.[69] However, Rodrigues had to pull out with injury in early April and was replaced by James Gonzalez.[70] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[71]
Pico facedPedro Carvalho on September 23, 2023, atBellator 299.[72] He won the fight via ground and pound TKO in the first round.[73]
Pico was scheduled to face Gabriel Alves Braga on February 24, 2024, atPFL vs. Bellator.[74] Braga was pulled from the bout and booked againstPatrício Pitbull on the same card, while Pico was booked in a rematch againstHenry Corrales.[75] Pico won the bout via TKO in the first round.[76]
On December 31, 2024, Pico's agent announced that his contract and the matching period was expiring in January, making him a free agent.[77]
On April 8, 2025, it was reported that Pico had signed with the UFC.[78]
Pico was reportedly going to make his debut with theUFC against undefeated contenderMovsar Evloev on May 17, 2025 atUFC Fight Night 256.[79] However, on an interview, Pico revealed that although it was close to being signed, the bout did not come to fruition.[80] The fight was re-scheduled to take place on July 26, 2025 atUFC on ABC 9.[81] However, under two weeks prior to this event, Evloev had to withdraw due to an injury.[82]
Pico facedLerone Murphy on August 16, 2025 atUFC 319.[83] He lost the fight via knockout with a spinning back elbow in the first round.[84]
Aaron Pico is a seventh generationCalifornio.[85] Pico is a direct descendant ofPío de Jesus Pico, who was the last Mexican Governor of California under the Providence of Mexico.[86]
Pico and his wife Kylie have a son born in 2021.[87]
| 18 matches | 13 wins | 5 losses |
| By knockout | 9 | 4 |
| By submission | 2 | 1 |
| By decision | 2 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 13–5 | Lerone Murphy | KO (spinning back elbow) | UFC 319 | August 16, 2025 | 1 | 3:21 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 13–4 | Henry Corrales | TKO (punches) | PFL vs. Bellator | February 24, 2024 | 1 | 4:53 | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | Lightweight bout. |
| Win | 12–4 | Pedro Carvalho | TKO (punches) | Bellator 299 | September 23, 2023 | 1 | 3:05 | Dublin, Ireland | |
| Win | 11–4 | James Gonzalez | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 295 | April 22, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| Loss | 10–4 | Jeremy Kennedy | TKO (shoulder injury) | Bellator 286 | October 1, 2022 | 1 | 5:00 | Long Beach, California, United States | |
| Win | 10–3 | Adli Edwards | TKO (punches) | Bellator 277 | April 15, 2022 | 3 | 0:55 | San Jose, California, United States | Catchweight (150 lb) bout. |
| Win | 9–3 | Justin Gonzales | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 271 | November 12, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Hollywood, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 8–3 | Aiden Lee | Submission (anaconda choke) | Bellator 260 | June 11, 2021 | 3 | 1:33 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Win | 7–3 | John de Jesus | KO (punch) | Bellator 252 | November 12, 2020 | 2 | 4:12 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Win | 6–3 | Chris Hatley | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Bellator 242 | July 24, 2020 | 1 | 2:10 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Win | 5–3 | Daniel Carey | KO (punch) | Bellator 238 | January 25, 2020 | 2 | 0:15 | Inglewood, California, United States | |
| Loss | 4–3 | Ádám Borics | TKO (flying knee and punches) | Bellator 222 | June 14, 2019 | 2 | 3:55 | New York City,New York, United States | |
| Loss | 4–2 | Henry Corrales | KO (punches) | Bellator 214 | January 26, 2019 | 1 | 1:07 | Inglewood, California, United States | |
| Win | 4–1 | Leandro Higo | TKO (punches) | Bellator 206 | September 29, 2018 | 1 | 3:19 | San Jose, California, United States | |
| Win | 3–1 | Lee Morrison | TKO (punches) | Bellator 199 | May 12, 2018 | 1 | 1:10 | San Jose, California, United States | |
| Win | 2–1 | Shane Kruchten | KO (punch to the body) | Bellator 192 | January 20, 2018 | 1 | 0:37 | Inglewood, California, United States | |
| Win | 1–1 | Justin Linn | KO (punch) | Bellator 183 | September 24, 2017 | 1 | 3:45 | San Jose, California, United States | Featherweight debut. |
| Loss | 0–1 | Zach Freeman | Submission (guillotine choke) | Bellator 180 | June 24, 2017 | 1 | 0:24 | New York City, New York, United States | Lightweight debut. |
| Senior Freestyle Matches | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Score | Date | Event | Location |
2016 US Olympic Team Trials at 65 kg | ||||||
| Loss | 40–14 |  Frank Molinaro | 4–4 | April 9–10, 2016 | 2016 US Olympic Team Trials | |
| Loss | 40–13 | Frank Molinaro | 3–4 | |||
| Win | 40–12 | Frank Molinaro | 4–2 | |||
| Win | 39–12 | Reece Humphrey | TF 12–1 | |||
| Win | 38–12 | Jordan Oliver | 11–9 | |||
| Win | 37–12 | Jayson Ness | TF 20–9 | |||
2016 Alexander Medved Prizes at 70 kg | ||||||
| Win | 36–12 |  Davit Tlashadze | 10–5 | February 18–19, 2016 | 2016 Alexander Medved Prizes Ranking Series | |
| Loss | 35–12 | Zurabi Iakobishvili | 3–5 | |||
| Win | 35–11 |  Andrei Karpach | TF 12–0 | |||
| Win | 34–11 |  Ganzorigiin Mandakhnaran | TF 11–0 | |||
| Win | 33–11 |  Kanat Musabekov | TF 14–4 | |||
| 2016 Outstanding Ukrainian Wrestlers and Coaches Memorial 5th at 70 kg | ||||||
| Loss | 32–11 |  Valter Margaryan | February 13–14, 2016 | XXth Outstanding Ukrainian Wrestlers and Coaches Memorial | ||
| Loss | 32–10 |  Saeed Dadashpour | 3–7 | |||
| Win | 32–9 | Nazar Kulchytskyy | 6–2 | |||
| 2015 US Nationals 4th at 65 kg | ||||||
| Loss | 31–9 | Reece Humphrey | TF 0–10 | December 17–19, 2015 | 2015 US Senior National Championships | |
| Win | 31–8 | Frank Molinaro | 14–5 | |||
| Loss | 30–8 | Logan Stieber | 5–13 | |||
| Win | 30–7 | Kellen Russell | 10–3 | |||
| Win | 29–7 | Justin Feldman | TF 10–0 | |||
| Win | 28–7 | Nick Dardanes | 6–0 | |||
| 2015 Bill Farrell Open at 65 kg | ||||||
| Win | 27–7 | Frank Molinaro | 7–4 | November 5–7, 2015 | 2015 Bill Farrell International Open | |
| Win | 26–7 | Jason Chamberlain | 11–4 | |||
| Win | 25–7 | Nazar Kulchytskyy | 8–2 | |||
| Win | 24–7 | Kendric Maple | TF 11–0 | |||
| Loss | 23–7 | Frank Molinaro | 2–4 | |||
| Win | 23–6 |  Filip Stefanov | TF 10–0 | |||
| Win | 22–6 | Mario Mason | TF 10–0 | |||
| 2015 Intercontinental Cup 5th at 70 kg | ||||||
| Loss | 21–6 |  Azamat Omurzhanov | 4–4 | October 16–18, 2015 | 2015 Intercontinental Cup | |
| Loss | 21–5 | Amir Berukov | 8–12 | |||
| Win | 21–4 | Abutalim Gamzaev | 13–9 | |||
| Win | 20–4 | Magomed Khizriev | 11–9 | |||
| Win | 19–4 | Arsen Gusbanov | TF 11–0 | |||
| Loss | 18–4 | Brent Metcalf | 3–5 | April 6, 2015 | 2015 Agon V | |
2015 Granma y Cerro Pelado International at 65 kg | ||||||
| Win | 18–3 | Reece Humphrey | 6–0 | February 11–15, 2015 | 2015 Granma y Cerro Pelado International | |
| Win | 17–3 |  Alejandro Valdés | 5–2 | |||
| Win | 16–3 | Franklin Maren | 1–1 | |||
| Win | 15–3 |  Matheus Frota | TF 10–0 | |||
| 2015 Ivan Yarygin Golden Grand Prix 21st at 65 kg | ||||||
| Loss | 14–3 |  Akhmed Chakaev | 3–6 | January 22–26, 2015 | Golden Grand Prix Ivan Yarygin 2015 | |
| 2014 Henri Deglane Grand Prix at 65 kg | ||||||
| Win | 14–2 | Devid Safaryan | 7–5 | November 28–29, 2014 | 2014 Henri Deglane Challenge | |
| Win | 13–2 | Davit Berdznishvili | 10–5 | |||
| Win | 11–2 |  Maxime Fiquet | TF 12–0 | |||
| Win | 10–2 | Ruslan Mukhtarov | TF 14–4 | |||
| Win | 9–2 | Bruno Lawson | TF 11–0 | |||
| 2014 Soslan Andiev International at 70 kg | ||||||
| Win | 8–2 |  | TF | October 24, 2014 | 2014 Soslan Andiev International | |
| Win | 7–2 | | TF | |||
| Win | 6–2 |  | TF | |||
| Loss | 5–2 | Magomed Khizriev | ||||
| Win | 5–1 |  | TF | |||
| 2014 Spain Grand Prix at 65 kg | ||||||
| Loss | 4–1 |  Frank Chamizo | 2–4 | July 5, 2014 | 2014 Grand Prix of Spain | |
| Win | 4–0 |  Lee Seung-bong | TF 10–0 | |||
| Win | 3–0 | Abdollahpour Gholamreza | 9–1 | |||
| Win | 2–0 |  Rodrigue Lawson Massamba | TF 11–0 | |||
| Win | 1–0 | Alibeggadzhi Emeev | 8–0 | November 16, 2013 | 2013 USA vs. Russia Dual Meet I | |
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