History of Aaron Pico in Timeline

Aaron Pico is an American mixed martial artist known for his wrestling background and current career in the featherweight division. He initially gained prominence in Bellator MMA, where he competed in his first 17 professional fights. He now fights in the UFC. Pico's transition from wrestling to MMA has been closely followed, with considerable attention given to his development and performances in the sport. He's considered a notable figure in the mixed martial arts landscape.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

September 23, 1996: Aaron Pico's Birth

On September 23, 1996, Aaron Pico was born. He is an American mixed martial artist and former freestyle wrestler.

Others born on this day/year

2008: National PAL Championship and Pankration Championship

In 2008, Aaron Pico won the national PAL championship in boxing and was a national champion in Pankration.

2009: National Junior Golden Gloves Champion

In 2009, Aaron Pico was the national Junior Golden Gloves champion and won 'most outstanding boxer' at the tournament.

2010: Victory over Jason Ness

At the US Olympic Team Trials in 2010, Aaron Pico defeated Jason Ness.

2010: Victories in Tournaments

In 2010, Aaron Pico competed in tournaments, compiling notable victories over Ganzorigiin Mandakhnaran.

2010: Golden Cup European Pankration Championship

In 2010, Aaron Pico won the golden cup European Pankration championship in Ukraine.

2012: Loss to Frank Molinaro

In 2012, Aaron Pico lost twice to Frank Molinaro in the best-of-three finals at the US Olympic Team Trials, becoming the alternate.

2013: U17 World Champion

In 2013, Aaron Pico was the U17 World Champion in freestyle wrestling.

2013: Henri Deglane Grand Prix win

In November 2013, Aaron Pico claimed his first senior level gold medal, winning the Henri Deglane Grand Prix, earning the biggest win of his career over David Safaryan in the finals.

April 2014: Nike Shoe Endorsement

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

November 2014: Bellator MMA Contract

In early November 2014, Aaron Pico signed a long term contract with MMA promoter Bellator MMA and its parent company Viacom.

2014: U20 US National Championship

In 2014, Aaron Pico won the U20 US National Championship in April by defeating Zain Retherford and went on to defeat him two more times in June for the U20 US World Team spot.

2014: Endorsement Contracts

In 2014, being the top-ranked high school wrestler in the country, Aaron Pico signed major endorsement contracts with Dethrone Royalty, an MMA lifestyle apparel company, and Nike, Inc., turning professional and becoming ineligible for NCAA collegiate wrestling.

2015: Victories in Tournaments

In 2015, Aaron Pico competed in tournaments, compiling notable victories over Andrei Karpach.

2016: Olympic Alternate

In 2016, Aaron Pico competed in freestyle wrestling at 65 kilograms and was an Olympic alternate.

2016: US Olympic Team Trials Qualification

In 2016, Aaron Pico placed fourth at the US National Championships, qualifying for the 2016 US Olympic Team Trials.

2016: Focus on Freestyle

In 2016, Aaron Pico stated his intention to focus solely on freestyle wrestling to continue a mixed martial arts career after an Olympic run, foregoing further education.

2016: U20 World Championships

In August 2016, Aaron Pico competed at the U20 World Championships, defeating Daichi Takatani and four other opponents before losing to Hassan Yazdani.

June 24, 2017: Professional MMA Debut Loss

On June 24, 2017, Aaron Pico made his professional MMA debut at Bellator NYC and lost to Zach Freeman via submission in the first round.

September 23, 2017: Victory over Justin Linn at Bellator 183

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

January 20, 2018: Victory over Shane Krutchen at Bellator 192

On January 20, 2018, Aaron Pico faced Shane Krutchen at Bellator 192. He won the fight via TKO in the first round.

May 12, 2018: Victory over Lee Morrison at Bellator 199

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

September 29, 2018: Victory over Leandro Higo at Bellator 206

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

January 26, 2019: Loss to Henry Corrales at Bellator 214

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

June 14, 2019: Loss to Ádám Borics at Bellator 222

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

January 25, 2020: Victory over Daniel Carey at Bellator 238

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

July 24, 2020: Victory over Chris Hatley Jr. at Bellator 242

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

November 12, 2020: Victory over John de Jesus at Bellator 252

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

April 16, 2021: Scheduled fight against Aiden Lee

On April 16, 2021, Aaron Pico was originally scheduled to face Aiden Lee at Bellator 257, but had to pull out due to medical issues.

June 11, 2021: Victory over Aiden Lee at Bellator 260

On June 11, 2021, after being rescheduled, Aaron Pico faced Aiden Lee at Bellator 260. He won the fight via submission in the third round.

November 12, 2021: Victory over Justin Gonzales at Bellator 271

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

2021: Birth of Son

In 2021, Aaron Pico and his wife Kylie had a son.

April 15, 2022: Victory over Adli Edwards at Bellator 277

On April 15, 2022, Aaron Pico faced Adli Edwards at Bellator 277, after Jeremy Kennedy withdrew. He won the bout via TKO in the third round.

October 1, 2022: Injury against Jeremy Kennedy at Bellator 286

On October 1, 2022, Aaron Pico faced Jeremy Kennedy at Bellator 286. The bout was stopped after the first round due to a dislocated shoulder sustained by Pico.

April 22, 2023: Victory over James Gonzalez at Bellator 295

On April 22, 2023, Aaron Pico faced James Gonzalez at Bellator 295, after Otto Rodrigues withdrew. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

September 23, 2023: Victory over Pedro Carvalho at Bellator 299

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

February 24, 2024: Victory over Henry Corrales at PFL vs. Bellator

On February 24, 2024, Aaron Pico faced Henry Corrales at PFL vs. Bellator, winning the bout via TKO in the first round.

December 31, 2024: Free Agency Announcement

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

April 8, 2025: Signing with the UFC

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

May 17, 2025: Scheduled UFC Debut against Movsar Evloev

On May 17, 2025, Aaron Pico was reportedly going to make his debut with the UFC against Movsar Evloev at UFC Fight Night 256, but the bout did not come to fruition.