Aaron Pico is seeking to kickstart his UFC profession on the second time of trying.
The Octagon is back in Miami this Saturday for UFC 327, where a variety of outstanding names will set the stage for Jiri Prochazka’s title clash with Carlos Ulberg within the important event.
Amongst them is a pair of ex-Bellator standouts, because the legendary Patricio Pitbull and highly touted Pico look to advance their featherweight title hopes.
For the American 29-year-old, a victory is crucial after what transpired in his UFC debut.
How far will Aaron Pico go within the UFC? 🤔
One in all MMA’s most hyped prospects is yet to fufill his superstar potential.
Aaron Pico completely happy UFC debut loss forced him to ‘look within the mirror’
Pico was knocked out by Lerone Murphy at UFC 319 last August. After entering the Octagon for the very first time, the decorated wrestler was put out cold by a spinning back elbow in round one.
Ahead of his return at Miami’s Kaseya Center, the featherweight newcomer admitted it was hard to maneuver past what he described as an ’embarrassing’ setback within the cage.
But having returned to the gym and had the possibility to fill a few of the holes in his game that were exposed by Murphy, Pico is definitely thankful the brutal KO happened.
“I’m not going to lie, after the last loss, I took it slightly bit hard,” Pico said at UFC 327 media day. “I used to be really embarrassed and had some down days. It’s just a part of the sport, especially once you put numerous work into it.
“I took it really, really hard. It was OK, though… It was very difficult, but I’m back now, so all good… It sounds weird, because in a way I’m actually—I don’t wish to say this—but I’m completely happy that it form of happened.
“I actually needed to take an excellent look within the mirror and assess my game, especially fighting within the UFC. Sometimes you’ll be able to get away with it with guys who aren’t expert,” he continued. “You possibly can just go in there and bulldoze guys over… Whenever you’re fighting Lerone Murphy, he’s No. 2 on this planet, fighting any guy really within the UFC, you will have to be very smart.
“I had to essentially work on just a few things, fight IQ, movement, footwork, just all-around things. I did that, I’ve been training the last three months and dealing on a brand new style and just various things and I’m excited on Saturday night to point out it.”
Pico will probably be hoping to bounce back and avoid the 0-2 start within the UFC that spelled the top of one other ex-Bellator star’s time with the promotion last yr.
After losing each of his outings, Patchy Mix was cut by the UFC, bringing an end to the previous Bellator champion’s botched signing.
At UFC 327, Pico will plan to follow within the footsteps of his opponent in Miami. After a defeat to Yair Rodriguez in his first Octagon project, Pitbull beat Dan Ige last day out to enter the winners’ circle on MMA’s biggest stage for the primary time.
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