Former Bellator contender Pico signs with UFC
Former Bellator featherweight Aaron Pico has signed with the UFC, his manager told ESPN's Brett Okamoto.
Pico's UFC debut date and opponent have yet to be announced.
The 28-year-old became a free agent earlier this year after his contract with the PFL - which acquired Bellator in 2023 - expired.
Pico hasn't stepped into the cage since knocking out Henry Corrales at the PFL vs. Bellator: Champs event in February 2024.
Pico has spent his entire MMA career under the Bellator/PFL banner. A former standout freestyle wrestler, he made his pro debut in 2017 and has since compiled a 13-4 record with 11 finishes. He's riding a three-fight winning streak and has lost just once since 2019.
The California native is the latest fighter to jump ship from the PFL to the UFC after former Bellator two-division champion Patricio "Pitbull" Freire signed with the promotion in February.
Pico joins a stacked UFC featherweight division that includes the likes of Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes, who vie for the vacant title at UFC 314 next weekend in Miami, as well as Yair Rodriguez and Aljamain Sterling.