With two days to go, Aaron Pico arrived with a devil-may-care attitude. At UFC 319 media day, the California native spoke with calm certainty. “I’ve been on the big stage my whole career. I’m ready for this moment. I just have to do my job Saturday and take care of business.” On August 16 at Chicago’s United Center, Pico meets unbeaten contender Lerone Murphy in the co-main event, under the Dricus du Plessis–Khamzat Chimaev title fight.
Pico makes his UFC debut on Saturday night. All eyes will be on the former freestyle wrestler, seen by many as MMA’s next big thing. Level-headed as ever, Pico knows the scrutiny he will face. A win over Murphy could set up a title shot against champion Alexander Volkanovski. At the press conference, Pico, who last fought 12 months ago, made it clear: there’s pressure, but most of it comes from himself.
As the press conference went on, a reporter raised a pointed comparison: Mario Bautista vs. Patchy Mix. The two bantamweights fought on the main card of UFC 316, headlined by Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O’Malley. Before the bout, New York-born Mix was the overwhelming favorite. But the fight didn’t go as expected. So, the reporter recalled, “The fans weren’t happy with Batista. They were cheering Patchy Mix, and then the fight went the way it did, and they completely flipped on him.”
Four months ago at the UFC Apex, Lerone Murphy drew fans’ ire despite defeating Josh Emmett. The reporter suggested the crowd might back Aaron Pico this time. “So, do you think about the interactions with fans and the way that the script can flip so quickly and the pressure that it can add, or does it not faze you at all?” they asked. Pico acknowledged the pressure. “But I don’t really think too much about that as far as what the fans are thinking, and you can’t please everyone, and MMA fans are brutal,” he stated.
So fan opinions aren’t Pico’s focus. He avoids reading comments and concentrates on what he can control. His preparation and performance. If the crowd’s on his side, all the better. He wouldn’t mind if fans booed Murphy and cheered him.
However, as an American facing an English opponent, he would gladly welcome home-crowd support.
Aaron Pico eyes the throne
A deep dive reveals that Aaron Pico’s stance perhaps stems from the way he forged his path in the mixed martial arts world. According to him, it had never really been an ‘easy road’ for him. “There was never an option to quit,” he said at the UFC 319 media day.
Pico always had the vision of joining the UFC. He put in the hard work for the sport’s biggest stage. Originally set to face Movsar Evloev, he now sees Lerone Murphy as a worthy opponent. Hence, a win over the Englishman could push his game to the next level.
Oddsmakers heavily favor the Manchester-born fighter, who has his own axe to grind. After headlining an event, he won’t want to lose to a newcomer like Aaron Pico.
And that’s precisely why the American refuses to take his English opponent lightly. “I think he’s 16-0 for a reason,” he stated, highlighting how Murphy’s resume boasts wins over some real tough guys. So, fan support or not, Aaron Pico plans to fight hard, flip the script, and seize the spotlight he has long pursued.
Does Pico have the skill set to upset a fighter like Murphy?
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