Aaron Pico

Aaron Pico (born September 23, 1996) is an American mixed martial artist and former freestyle wrestler. He currently competes in the featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He started out his career in Bellator MMA, where he fought his first 17 bouts.

In freestyle wrestling, Pico competed at 65 kilograms, where he was notably an Olympic alternate in 2016, as well as a U17 World champion in 2013.

Early life

Pico was born September 23, 1996, in Whittier, California. He is a seventh-generation Californio and a member of the Pico family of California, as great-great-great-great-grandson of Pío Pico, the last governor of California under Mexico rule and the 10th Governor of Alta California. Pico started wrestling at the age of four, and competed in multiple other combat sports. At age ten, he began boxing and competing in Pankration tournaments.

Wrestling career

High school

During his freshman year of high school, Pico capped off a perfect 42–0 season at St. John Bosco High School and won the CIF state championship at 132 pounds. Afterwards, Pico would compete in freestyle, claiming the U17 World title at 63 kilograms. He made his senior freestyle debut at age 18, defeating Alibeggadzhi Emeev in a lopsided decision in a dual meet against Russia.

The top-ranked high 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 with Nike, Inc., turning into a professional athlete and making him ineligible to compete in collegiate wrestling under NCAA rules. Pico stated he intended to focus solely in freestyle to continue a mixed martial arts career after a 2016 Olympic run, foregoing further education. Before his MMA debut, Pico explained:

Post-high school career

2014

In 2014, Pico claimed the U20 US National Championship in April by defeating Penn State's Zain Retherford in the finals, and went on to defeat him two more times in June for the U20 US World Team spot.

In July, Pico competed in the senior level, claiming a silver medal from the Grand Prix of Spain, only falling to World medalist from Italy Frank Chamizo. In August, he competed at the U20 World Championships, where he notably defeated Daichi Takatani from Japan in the first round, and went on to defeat four more foreign opponents by technical fall before facing eventual 2016 Olympic Gold medalist from Iran Hassan Yazdani, whom he lost to on points.

In October, Pico placed third at the prestigious Soslan Andiev International in Russia. In November, he claimed his first senior level gold medal, winning the Henri Deglane Grand Prix, earning the biggest win of his career over 2013 World Champion from Armenia David Safaryan in the finals.

2015

To start off the year, he competed at the Golden Grand Prix Ivan Yarygin in January, placing 21st after a first-round loss to Akhmed Chakaev. In February, he claimed the Cerro Pelado International title, defeating Pan American champions from Cuba Franklin Marén and Alejandro Valdés, as well as two-time US World Team Member Reece Humphrey.

In April, Pico fell to Dan Hodge Trophy winner Brent Metcalf in a dual meet against Iowa. He then went back to the U20 level to claim the US National Championship in May and the US World Team spot in June, defeating Zain Retherford three times in the process. In August, Pico placed third at the U20 World Championships, bringing a bronze medal to the United States.

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.

2016

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 champion Nazar Kulchytskyy, 2010 Asian Games Gold medalist from Mongolia Ganzorigiin Mandakhnaran and 2015 U23 European Continental medalist from Belarus Andrei Karpach.

At the US Olympic Team Trials, Pico defeated 2010 NCAA champion Jason Ness, two-time NCAA champion and US National finalist Jordan Oliver and three-time US National champion Reece Humphrey to make the best-of-three finals, where he would face reigning Pan American champion and 2012 NCAA champion Frank Molinaro, whom he was 2–1 against. After defeating Molinaro first round, Pico was defeated twice in closely-scored matches, losing in the best-of-three format and becoming the alternate. This was Pico's last wrestling match before transitioning into MMA.

Boxing and pankration

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 to Ukraine in 2010, and won the golden cup European Pankration championship. During this time Pico also won the California state championships in both sports.

Mixed martial arts career

Pico signed an endorsement contract with Dethrone Royalty, an MMA lifestyle apparel company owned by Nick Swinmurn, founder of Zappos and ownership partner of the Golden State Warriors.

In April 2014, Aaron signed a multi-year shoe endorsement with Nike.

Bellator MMA

In early November 2014, Aaron signed a long term unprecedented contract with MMA promoter Bellator MMA and its parent company Viacom, as their new blue chip prospect. Bellator MMA President, Scott Coker stated, "Simply put, Aaron has all the makings of MMA's next great superstar, and to have him here at Bellator 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."

Pico made his professional MMA debut at Bellator NYC on June 24, 2017, at the Madison Square Garden. He lost to Zach Freeman via submission just 24 seconds into the first round in an upset.

After his upset loss to Freeman, Pico moved down to the featherweight division and faced Justin Linn at Bellator 183 on September 23, 2017. He won the fight via knockout in the first round.

Pico faced Shane Krutchen at Bellator 192 on January 20, 2018. He won the fight via TKO in the first round. with a brutal left to Krutchen's body.

Pico faced Lee Morrison at Bellator 199 on May 12, 2018. He won the fight via TKO in the first round.

Pico faced Leandro Higo at Bellator 206 on September 29, 2018. He won the fight via technical knockout in round one.

Pico faced Henry Corrales at Bellator 214 on January 26, 2019. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

Pico faced Ádám Borics at Bellator 222 on June 14, 2019. He lost the fight via technical knockout in the second round.

Pico faced Daniel Carey at Bellator 238 on January 25, 2020. He won the fight via knockout in the second round.

Pico faced Chris Hatley Jr. at Bellator 242 on July 24, 2020. He won the fight via submission in the first round.

Pico faced John de Jesus at Bellator 252 on November 12, 2020. He won via second round knockout.

Pico was expected to face Aiden Lee on April 16, 2021, at Bellator 257. However, on April 4, Pico had to pull out of the bout due to medical issues. The fight eventually took place at Bellator 260 on June 11, 2021. He won the fight via submission in the third round.

Pico faced Justin Gonzales on November 12, 2021, at Bellator 271. He won the bout in dominant fashion via unanimous decision.

As the first bout of his new, multi-fight contract Pico was scheduled to face Jeremy Kennedy on April 15, 2022, at Bellator 277. However, Kennedy withdrew 8 days before the event and Adli Edwards replaced him. He won the bout via TKO in the third round.

The bout against Jeremy Kennedy was rebooked for October 1, 2022, at Bellator 286. After hurting his shoulder mid way through the first round, the bout was stopped after the first round by the doctor. It was later revealed that Pico had not sustained a break, just a dislocation.

Pico was scheduled to return from injury against Otto Rodrigues on April 22, 2023, at Bellator 295. However, Rodrigues had to pull out with injury in early April and was replaced by James Gonzalez. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

Pico faced Pedro Carvalho on September 23, 2023, at Bellator 299. He won the fight via ground and pound TKO in the first round.

Pico was scheduled to face Gabriel Alves Braga on February 24, 2024, at PFL vs. Bellator. Braga was pulled from the bout and booked against Patrício Pitbull on the same card, while Pico was booked in a rematch against Henry Corrales. Pico won the bout via TKO in the first round.

On December 31, 2024, Pico's agent announced that his contract and the matching period was expiring in January, making him a free agent.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

On April 8, 2025, it was reported that Pico had signed with the UFC.

Pico was reportedly going to make his debut with the UFC against undefeated contender Movsar Evloev on May 17, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 256. However, on an interview, Pico revealed that although it was close to being signed, the bout did not come to fruition. The fight is now scheduled to take place on July 26, 2025 at UFC on ABC 9.

Personal life

Aaron Pico is a seventh generation Californio. Pico is a direct descendant of Pío de Jesus Pico, who was the last Mexican Governor of California under the Providence of Mexico.

Pico and his wife Kylie have a son born in 2021.

Championships and accomplishments

* Freestyle wrestling
** 2016 US Olympic Team Trials Senior Men Freestyle 65 kg 2nd place
** 2016 Alexander Medved International Senior Men Freestyle 65 kg Bronze Medal
** 2015 Cerro Pelado International Senior Men Freestyle 65 kg Champion – Havana, Cuba
** 2014 Henri Deglane Challenge Senior Men Freestyle 65 kg Champion – Nice