The UFC featherweight division is about to welcome one of MMA’s most intriguing talents as former Bellator standout Aaron Pico has reportedly signed with the promotion. According to sources at Red Corner MMA, the 27-year-old California native will face an immediate baptism by fire when he steps into the Octagon for the first time against undefeated Russian contender Movsar Evloev at a UFC Fight Night event on May 17. This high-stakes matchup comes in the wake of the Professional Fighters League’s acquisition and subsequent folding of Bellator MMA, which left several high-profile fighters searching for new promotional homes.
Pico, once heralded as perhaps the most promising prospect in mixed martial arts history, now gets his opportunity to prove himself on the sport’s biggest stage after overcoming early career setbacks and building an impressive resume that includes seven first-round finishes. His debut against the fourth-ranked Evloev represents both an extraordinary opportunity and a formidable challenge that could reshape the featherweight title picture.
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Aaron Pico to UFC: Former Bellator Star Gets Immediate Top-10 Test in Octagon Debut
Aaron Pico’s journey to the UFC represents one of the most anticipated promotional crossovers in recent memory. The former Bellator standout has reportedly inked a deal with the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization and will waste no time testing himself against elite competition. According to Red Corner MMA, Pico will make his Octagon debut against undefeated #4-ranked featherweight contender Movsar Evloev at a UFC Fight Night event scheduled for May 17 at the UFC Apex facility in Las Vegas.
The signing comes amid a period of significant fighter movement following the Professional Fighters League’s acquisition and subsequent restructuring of Bellator MMA. While former two-division Bellator champion Patricio “Pitbull” Freire is already set to debut at UFC 314 this weekend, Pico’s addition to the roster signals that the promotion is selectively targeting top talent from their former competitor’s ranks. There remains speculation about whether other prominent Bellator figures like Vadim Nemkov or Ryan Bader might follow a similar path.
Pico’s professional career has been defined by extraordinary potential punctuated by dramatic setbacks and impressive resilience. Once considered the sport’s premier blue-chip prospect before ever stepping into a professional cage, Pico’s 2017 debut against Zach Freeman ended in shocking fashion with a 24-second submission loss. However, the highly decorated amateur wrestler quickly demonstrated his potential by rebounding with four consecutive first-round knockouts, showcasing the devastating striking power that complements his world-class wrestling background.
| Aaron Pico Career Highlights | Movsar Evloev Career Highlights |
|---|---|
| Record: 12-4 (9 KO/TKO, 1 SUB) | Record: 18-0 (5 KO/TKO, 5 SUB) |
| Notable Wins: Henry Corrales, Pedro Carvalho | Notable Wins: Aljamain Sterling, Dan Ige |
| Background: USA Wrestling, Golden Gloves boxing | Background: Master of Sport in combat sambo |
| Age: 27 | Age: 31 |
| Last Fight: KO win over Henry Corrales (Feb 2024) | Last Fight: Decision win over Aljamain Sterling (Dec 2024) |
After additional setbacks against Henry Corrales and Ádám Borics in 2019, Pico once again demonstrated his remarkable ability to evolve, stringing together six consecutive victories before an unfortunate shoulder injury halted his bout with Jeremy Kennedy. Most recently, Pico avenged his earlier loss to Corrales with a spectacular first-round finish in February, his final appearance under the Bellator banner.
For his UFC debut, Pico couldn’t face a more significant challenge than Movsar Evloev. The undefeated Russian has compiled a perfect 18-0 professional record, including seven wins inside the Octagon. Evloev most recently defeated former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling in a contest many believed would cement his position as the next title challenger at 145 pounds.
Evloev’s recent revelation that he was initially targeting a bout with two-time title challenger Brian Ortega before accepting “whoever the UFC could find” for May 17 adds an intriguing subplot to this matchup. With Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes competing for the vacant featherweight championship at UFC 314 this weekend, the timing of Pico vs. Evloev suggests the winner could potentially position themselves for a title opportunity later this year.
This high-stakes featherweight clash is expected to headline the May 17 Fight Night card, which is also scheduled to feature heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes against Rizvan Kuniev, and light heavyweight Paul Craig facing Rodolfo Bellato. For Pico, it represents a chance to instantly establish himself as a UFC contender, while Evloev aims to protect his undefeated record and solidify his claim to a title shot that has thus far proven elusive.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Aaron Pico making his UFC debut against such a highly ranked opponent?
Aaron Pico’s immediate placement against the #4-ranked Movsar Evloev reflects both his established reputation and the UFC’s confidence in his abilities despite never having competed in the promotion. Unlike typical newcomers who face gradual competition increases, Pico enters the UFC with significant name recognition and a proven track record from his Bellator career, where he amassed a 12-4 record with 9 knockouts. The matchmaking also addresses a practical challenge – finding willing opponents for Evloev, who has struggled to secure fights with ranked contenders despite his perfect 18-0 record. The timing works particularly well for both fighters as they’re available during a period when many top featherweights are already booked.
For Pico, this high-risk debut offers a potential shortcut to title contention if successful, while giving him an immediate opportunity to prove his worth against elite competition rather than spending time working through lower-ranked opponents. The UFC has previously used similar approaches with high-profile signings from other organizations, including Michael Chandler, who debuted against Dan Hooker, and Jiri Prochazka, who fought Volkan Oezdemir in his first UFC appearance.
Will the winner of Evloev vs. Pico receive a UFC featherweight title shot next?
The timing and circumstances strongly suggest the winner of Evloev vs. Pico will be positioned as the next title challenger, though it’s not guaranteed. Several factors support this path: Evloev is already ranked #4 and coming off a victory over former champion Aljamain Sterling that many believed should have earned him a title shot. The UFC’s decision to make this the likely headliner for the May 17 card indicates its significance within the division. Additionally, the schedule alignment works perfectly – with Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes fighting for the vacant featherweight title at UFC 314 (April 13), the winner of Evloev-Pico would be available for a late summer or early fall championship bout.
However, complicating factors include Ilia Topuria’s status as former champion awaiting reinstatement after medical issues, and Max Holloway’s continued presence as a top contender. The UFC might also consider the marketability of the potential matchup – a spectacular finish by either Evloev or Pico would strengthen their case for an immediate title shot, while a lackluster decision could prompt matchmakers to consider alternative options. Ultimately, while not officially confirmed, the winner will certainly be no more than one additional victory away from challenging for UFC gold.
