Aaron Pico

Aaron Pico (born September 23, 1996) is an American mixed martial artist and former freestyle wrestler currently competing in the featherweight division of Bellator MMA. As a freestyle wrestler, Pico is a Cadet World Champion and two-time Junior World medalist. As a senior, he placed second at US Olympic Trials and holds multiple national and international championships.

Aaron Pico
Pico in 2014
BornAaron Pico
(1996-09-23) September 23, 1996
Whittier, California, United States
ResidenceWhittier, California, United States
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Weight145 lb (66 kg; 10.4 st)
DivisionLightweight (155 lbs) (2017)
Featherweight (145 lbs) (2017–present)
Reach70 1⁄2 in (179 cm)
StyleWrestling, Boxing, Pankration
Fighting out ofAlbuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
TeamAmerican Kickboxing Academy (2014–2017)[1]
The Body Shop MMA (2017–2019)[1]
Jackson Wink MMA Academy (2019–present)[2]
TrainerGreg Jackson (Head Coach)
Valentin Kalika, Sazhid Sazhidov (formerly) (Wrestling)
Sam Calavitta (Strength and Conditioning)
Roberto Alencar (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu)
Freddie Roach (Boxing)
RankBlue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Roberto Alencar[3]
WrestlingOlympic Freestyle Wrestling[4]
Greco-Roman Wrestling[5]
Years active2017–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total10
Wins7
By knockout6
By submission1
Losses3
By knockout2
By submission1
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Men's freestyle wrestling
Representing  United States
Junior World Championships
2014 Zagreb66 kg
2015 Salvador66 kg
Cadet World Championships
2013 Zrenjanin 63kg

Background

Pico is seventh-generation Californio and a member of the Pico family of California, as great-great-great-great-grandson of Pío Pico, 10th Governor of Alta California.[6]

He began wrestling at the age of four.[7] He started boxing at the age of ten and also competed in Pankration tournaments.[7]

Wrestling career

Pico has experience in folkstyle, freestyle, and Greco-Roman wrestling, having won the US National championship in all 3 styles, at both the cadet and junior level. To win the freestyle junior national championship in 2014 and 2015, Pico defeated Zain Retherford (who would later win the 2017 & 2018 Dan Hodge Trophy, the equivalent of the Heisman Trophy) in the finals. He won 7–0 in 2014 and 8–5 in 2015.

Pico would go on to compete at the Cadet World Championships in freestyle. In 2013, in Zrenjanin, Serbia, Pico was the only gold for Team USA at the tournament. Aaron Pico defeated Japan's Fujinami 8–6 in the Gold medal match.[8][9] Pico was quoted. "I'm so happy to be here, as World Cadet Champion, and proud to have been representing my country." Aaron gave praise to the many community supporters for his professional development including his parents, family and friends as well as his valuable coach which has made all the difference".

At the freestyle junior world championships, Pico won a silver and bronze medal in 2014 and 2015. He lost to 2016 Olympic gold medal winner Hassan Yazdani of Iran 9–2 in the finals in 2014, and lost by criteria in a 7–7 match against Teymur Mammadov of Azerbaijan in the semifinals of 2015. In the bronze medal match Pico beat Enes Uslu of Turkey 13–4. At the trials to make the U.S. team, his final match was again against Zain Retherford in both 2014 and 2015. He won 3–0, 5–1 in 2014 and 5–2, 6–2 in 2015.

In November 2013 as high school sophomore, he made his senior level debut in a U.S.A. vs. Russia dual meet in Clifton Park, NY. Pico faced Alibeggadzhi Emeev of Russia, winning by decision 8–0.[10]In early November 2014 defeated former 2013 Senior World Champion, David Safaryan of Armenia at the 40th Annual Henri Deglane 40th in Nice, France. He would medal at multiple senior level events while still a teenager. Pico broke into the top 20 UWW world freestyle rankings.

Pico qualified for the Olympic trials in 2016 at 19 years of age. No teenager had made the freestyle wrestling Olympic team for 40 years. Pico defeated Jayson Ness by tech. fall, Jordan Oliver 11–9, and Reece Humphrey by tech. fall, making it to the finals against Frank Molinaro. In the best-of-3 finals, Pico won round 1, 4–2, but lost round 2, 4–3, and round 3, 4–4 on criteria. Ness, Oliver, and Molinaro are all former NCAA Division I national champions, and Humphrey was a national runner-up and senior U.S. freestyle national champ.

Boxing and pankration

In addition to wrestling, Pico also competed in boxing and Pankration. Pico won the national PAL championship in 2008 and was national Junior Golden Gloves champion in 2009, he won ‘most outstanding boxer’ at both tournaments. In Pankration, Pico also was a national champion in 2008. In addition, Pico went to Ukraine in 2010, and won the golden cup European Pankration championship. During this time Pico also won the California state championships in both sports.[11]

Mixed martial arts career

Aaron Pico was offered and signed major endorsement contracts with Dethrone Royalty, an MMA lifestyle apparel company owned by Nick Swinmurn, founder of Zappos and ownership partner of the Golden State Warriors.

In April 2014, Aaron signed a multi-year shoe endorsement with Nike.[12][13]

Bellator MMA

In early November 2014, Aaron signed a long term unprecedented contract with MMA promoter Bellator MMA and its parent company Viacom, as their new blue chip prospect.[14] Pico is versed in wrestling, amateur MMA and boxing and has multiple wins under his belt. Bellator MMA President, Scott Coker states, "Simply put, Aaron has all the makings of MMA's next great superstar, and to have him here at Bellator MMA is something special. Like many of us in the MMA community, Aaron is someone we've been watching closely over the last few years, and after sitting down with Bob Cook and his team, getting a chance to meet Aaron, and hearing his long-term aspirations, the fit became very obvious."[15]

Pico made his professional MMA debut at Bellator NYC on June 24, 2017, at the Madison Square Garden. He lost to Zach Freeman via submission just 24 seconds into the first round in an upset.[16]

After his upset loss to Freeman, Pico moved down to the featherweight division and faced Justin Linn at Bellator 183 on September 23, 2017.[17] He won the fight via knockout in the first round.

Pico faced Shane Krutchen at Bellator 192 on January 20, 2018.[18] He won the fight via TKO in the first round.[19] with a brutal left to Krutchen's body.[20]

Pico faced Lee Morrison at Bellator 199 on May 12, 2018.[21] He won the fight via TKO in the first round.[22]

Pico faced Leandro Higo at Bellator 206 on September 29, 2018..[23] He won the fight via technical knockout in round one.[24]

Pico faced Henry Corrales at Bellator 214 on January 26, 2019. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round. [25]

Pico faced Adam Borics at Bellator 222 on June 14, 2019.[26] He lost the fight via technical knockout in the second round.[27]

Pico faced Daniel Carey at Bellator 238 on January 25, 2020.[28] He won the fight via knockout in the second round.[29]

Pico faced Chris Hatley Jr. at Bellator 242 on July 24, 2020.[30] He won the fight via submission in the first round.[31]

Pico faced John de Jesus at Bellator 252 on November 12, 2020.[32] He won via second round knockout.

Personal life

Aaron Pico is a seventh generation Californio.[33] Pico is a direct descendant of Pío de Jesus Pico, who was the last Mexican Governor of California under the Providence of Mexico.[34]

Championships and accomplishments
  • Freestyle wrestling
    • 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials Senior Men Freestyle 65 kg 2nd place
    • 2016 Alexander Medved International Senior Men Freestyle 65 kg Bronze Medal
    • 2015 Cerro Pelado International Senior Men Freestyle 65 kg Champion – Havana, Cuba[35]
    • 2014 Henri Deglane Challenge Senior Men Freestyle 65 kg Champion – Nice, France[36]
    • 2014 Soslan Andiyev Senior Men Freestyle 70 kg Bronze Medal – North Ossetia – Alania, Russia[37]
    • 2014 Grand Prix of Spain Senior Men Freestyle 65 kg Silver Medal – Madrid, Spain[38]
  • Boxing
    • 2008 Desert Showdown Champ – Indio, CA
    • 2008 California State PAL Champ – Oxnard, CA
    • 2008 National PAL Champ – Tournament Outstanding Boxer Award– Oxnard, CA
    • 2009 Desert Showdown Champ – Indio, CA
    • 2009 National Junior Golden Gloves Championship Champ – Mesquite, NV Tournament Outstanding Boxer Award
  • Pankration
    • 2008 – CA State Pankration Championships Champ – Santa Ana, CA
    • 2008 – National Pankration Championships Champ – Santa Ana, CA[39]
    • 2009 – CA State Pankration Championships Champ – Santa Ana, CA[40]
    • 2010 – Golden Cup European Pankration Champ – Kharkov, Ukraine

[41]

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
10 matches 7 wins 3 losses
By knockout 6 2
By submission 1 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 7–3 John de Jesus KO (punch) Bellator 252 November 12, 2020 2 4:12 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 6–3 Chris Hatley Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 242 July 24, 2020 1 2:10 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 5–3 Daniel Carey KO (punch) Bellator 238 January 25, 2020 2 0:15 Inglewood, California, United States
Loss 4–3 Ádám Borics TKO (flying knee and punches) Bellator 222 June 14, 2019 2 3:55 New York City, New York, United States
Loss 4–2 Henry Corrales KO (punches) Bellator 214 January 26, 2019 1 1:07 Inglewood, California, United States
Win 4–1 Leandro Higo TKO (elbow and punches) Bellator 206 September 29, 2018 1 3:19 San Jose, California, United States
Win 3–1 Lee Morrison TKO (punches) Bellator 199 May 12, 2018 1 1:10 San Jose, California, United States
Win 2–1 Shane Krutchen TKO (body punch) Bellator 192 January 20, 2018 1 0:37 Inglewood, California, United States
Win 1–1 Justin Linn KO (punch) Bellator 183 September 24, 2017 1 3:45 San Jose, California, United States Featherweight debut.
Loss 0–1 Zach Freeman Submission (guillotine choke) Bellator 180 June 24, 2017 1 0:24 New York City, New York, United States Lightweight debut.

[42]

Freestyle record
Senior Freestyle Matches
Res. Record Opponent Score Date Event Location
2016 US Olympic Team Trials 65 kg
Loss 35-12 Frank Molinaro 4-4 April 9, 2016 2016 US Olympic Team Trials

Iowa City, Iowa

Loss 35-11 Frank Molinaro 3-4
Win 35-10 Frank Molinaro 4-2
Win 34-10 Reece Humphrey TF 12-1 2016 US Olympic Team Trials Challenge
Win 33-10 Jordan Oliver 11-9
Win 32-10 Jayson Ness TF 20-9
2016 Medved International at 70kg
Win 31-10 Davit Tlashadze 10-5 February 18 - 19, 2016 2016 Alexander Medved Prizes Ranking Series

Minsk, Belarus

Loss 30-10 Zurabi Iakobishvili 3-5
Win 30-9 Andrei Karpach TF 12-0
Win 29-9 Ganzorigiin Mandakhnaran TF 11-0
Win 28-9 Kanat Musabekov TF 14-4
2016 Outstanding Ukrainian Wrestlers and Coaches Memorial 5th at 70kg
Loss 27-9 Valter Margaryan February 13 - 14, 2016 XXth Outstanding Ukrainian Wrestlers and Coaches Memorial

Kiev, Ukraine

Loss 27-8 Saeed Dadashpour 3-7
Win 27-7 Nazar Kulchytskyy 6-2
2015 US Nationals 4th at 65kg
Loss 26-7 Reece Humphrey TF 0-10 December 17-19, 2015 2015 US National Championships

Las Vegas, Nevada

Win 26-6 Frank Molinaro 14-5
Loss 25-6 Logan Stieber 5-13
Win 25-5 Kellen Russell 10-3
Win 24-5 Justin Feldman TF 10-0
Win 23-5 Nick Dardanes 6-0
2015 Bill Farrell Open at 65kg
Win 22-5 Frank Molinaro 7-4 November 5-7, 2015 2015 Bill Farrell International Open

New York, New York

Win 21-5 Jason Chamberlain 11-4
Win 20-5 Nazar Kulchytskyy 8-2
Win 19-5 Kendric Maple TF 11-0
Loss 18-5 Frank Molinaro 2-4
Win 18-4 Filip Stefanov TF 10-0
Win 17-4 Mario Mason TF 10-0
2015 Intercontinental Cup 5th at 70
Loss 16-4 Azamat Omurzhanov 4-4 October 16-18, 2015 2015 Intercontinental Cup

Khasavyurt, Russia

Loss 16-3 Amir Berukov 8-12
Win 16-2 Abutalim Gamzaev 13-9
Win 15-2 Magomed Khizriev 11-9
Win 14-2 Arsen Gusbanov TF 11-0
2015 Granma y Cerro Pelado at 65kg
Win 13-2 Reece Humphrey 6-0 February 11 - 15, 2015 2015 Granma y Cerro Pelado

Havana, Cuba

Win 12-2 Alejandro Valdés 5-2
Win 11-2 Franklin Maren 1-1
Win 10-2 Matheus Frota TF 10-0
2015 Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix 21st at 65 kg
Loss 9-2 Akhmed Chakaev 3-6 January 22 - 26, 2015 2015 Ivan Yarygin Golden Grand Prix

Krasnoyarsk, Russia

2014 Henri Deglane at 65kg
Win 9-1 Devid Safaryan 7-5 November 28-29, 2014 2014 Henri Deglane Challenge

Nice, France

Win 8-1 Davit Berdznishvili 10-5
Win 7-1 Maxime Fiquet TF 12-0
Win 6-1 Ruslan Mukhtarov TF 14-4
Win 5-1 Bruno Lawson TF 11-0
2014 Spain Grand Prix at 65kg
Loss 4-1 Frank Chamizo 2-4 July 5, 2014 2014 Grand Prix of Spain

Madrid, Spain

Win 4-0 Lee Seung-bong TF 10-0
Win 3-0 Abdollahpour Gholamreza 9-1
Win 2-0 Rodrigue Lawson Massamba TF 11-0
2013 USA vs. Russia at 66 kg
Win 1-0 Alibeggadzhi Emeev 8-0 November 16, 2013 2013 U.S.A vs. Russia Dual Meet I

Clifton Park, New York

Junior freestyle record
Junior freestyle results
Res. Record Opponent Score Date Event Location
2015 World Championship at 66 kg
Win 34-2 Enes Uslu 13-6 August 11-16, 2015 2015 Junior World Championships

Salvador da Bahia, Brazil

Loss 33-2 Teymur Mammadov 7-7
Win 33-1 Ilyas Zhumay TF 10-0
Win 32-1 Kalman Balasz TF 11-0
2015 US World Team Trials at 66 kg
Win 31-1 Zain Retherford 6-2 June 12-14, 2015 2015 US Junior World Team Trials

Madison, Wisconsin

Win 30-1 Zain Retherford 5-2
2015 US Nationals at 66 kg
Win 29-1 Zain Retherford 8-5 May 6-9, 2015 2015 FILA US National Championships

Las Vegas, Nevada

Win 28-1 Alfred Bannister TF 11-1
Win 27-1 Chandler Pyke TF 10-0
Win 26-1 Gabriel Grahek TF 12-2
Win 25-1 Luke Zilverberg TF 10-0
2014 World Championship at 66 kg
Loss 24-1 Hassan Yazdani 2-9 August 5-10, 2014 2014 Junior World Championships

Zagreb, Croatia

Win 24-0 Mihail Georgie TF 11-0
Win 23-0 Surkho Rashitkhanov TF 10-0
Win 22-0 Kyrillos Binenbaum TF 10-0
Win 21-0 Daichi Takatani 7-5
2014 US World Team Trials at 66 kg
Win 20-0 Zain Retherford 5-1 May 30 - June 1, 2014 2014 US Junior World Team Trials

Madison, Wisconsin

Win 19-0 Zain Retherford 3-0
2014 US Nationals at 66 kg
Win 18-0 Zain Retherford 7-0 April 18-19, 2014 2014 FILA US National Championships

Las Vegas, Nevada

Win 17-0 Jake Short TF 12-0
Win 18-0 Jamel Hudson TF 11-0
Win 17-0 Jordan Laster TF 10-0
Win 16-0 Luke Zilverberg TF 10-0
Win 15-0 Jake DeAngelo TF 11-0
2013 USAW Nationals at 138 lb
Win 14-0 Joey McKenna TF 10-0 July 18-20, 2013 2013 USAW Junior Fargo National Championships

Fargo, North Dakota

Win 13-0 TF 10-0
Win 12-0 TF 10-0
Win 11-0 TF 12-2
Win 10-0 TF 10-0
Win 9-0 TF 20-10
Win 8-0 TF 18-8
Win 7-0 TF 10-0
Win 6-0 TF 10-0
Win 5-0 TF 10-0
2013 US Nationals at 63 kg
Win 4-0 Joey Ward 7-0, 5-0 April 18-20, 2013 2013 FILA US National Championships

Las Vegas, Nevada

Win 3-0 Christopher Carton 4-0, 4-0
Win 2-0 Cole Mendenhall 2-0, 3-1
Win 1-0 Brandon Charbonneau 4-1, 5-0

See also

References
  1. Alexander K. Lee (September 22, 2017). "Aaron Pico talks simplified approach for Bellator return, sparring with Miguel Cotto". mmafighting.com.
  2. Marc Raimondi (May 7, 2019). "Sources: Prospect Pico to JacksonWink MMA". espn.com.
  3. aaronpicousa (December 7, 2019). "Earned not given. Thank you @tussagb for blue belt. 🥋". Instagram.
  4. Steven Marrocco (January 19, 2019). "'Nothing is off the table' for Bellator standout Aaron Pico – even a run at 2020 Olympics". mmajunkie.com.
  5. "Aaron Pico". Cal Grappler. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
  6. OC Register - Aaron Pico learning How to Fight and Be Like a Ferrari
  7. Dave Meltzer (January 4, 2014). "AKA's Bob Cook: Aaron Pico is greatest MMA prospect I've ever seen". mmafighting.com.
  8. "2013 FILA Cadet World Championships Recap: Pico captured gold in freestyle at Zrenjanin, Serbia". WIN Magazine: Amateur Wrestling News.
  9. "UPDATE Pico wins gold medal 26899". Team USA.
  10. "Pico soars in Senior level debut as Russia defeats USA 4-3". Team USA.
  11. Tierney, Tom. "Aaron Pico in Retrospect: Revisting the "blue chip prospect"". The Body Lock. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  12. "Aaron Pico to wear Nike wrestling boots in pursuit of his dreams!". Athlete Performance Solutions.
  13. "Video Interview: Aaron Pico". YouTube.
  14. ""MMA's Greatest Prospect" Joins Bellator MMA - Bellator MMA". Archived from the original on 2014-12-26.
  15. ""The Next Jon Jones": Bellator Signs 18-Year-Old Prospect Aaron Pico to Long-Term Contract - Cagepotato".
  16. "Bellator NYC results: Huge underdog Zach Freeman chokes out Aaron Pico in 24 seconds". MMAjunkie. 2017-06-25. Retrieved 2017-06-25.
  17. Alexander K. Lee (September 5, 2017). "Aaron Pico drops down to featherweight for second fight, meets Justin Linn at Bellator 183". mmafighting.com.
  18. Fernanda Prates (January 18, 2018). "Bellator 192's Aaron Pico's fight day: Cold-pressed juice, grass-fed meats and church". mmajunkie.com.
  19. Mike Bohn (January 20, 2018). "Bellator 192 results: Aaron Pico scores 37-second KO with body shot". mmajunkie.com.
  20. "Video: Aaron Pico disintegrates Shane Kruchten with body punch at Bellator 192".
  21. Guilherme Cruz (April 3, 2018). "Aaron Pico returns against Lee Morrison at Bellator 199". mmafighting.com.
  22. Simon Samano (May 12, 2018). "Bellator 199 results: Aaron Pico lands huge body shot for second straight TKO victory". mmajunkie.com.
  23. "Elite prospect Aaron Pico matched up with Leandro Higo at Bellator 206". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2018-08-29.
  24. "Bellator 206 results: Aaron Pico rolls over Leandro Higo". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2018-09-30.
  25. Steven Marrocco (2019-01-26). "Bellator 214 results: Henry Corrales rebounds, knocks out Aaron Pico in stunning fashion". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2019-01-28.
  26. Alexander K. Lee (May 12, 2019). "Aaron Pico to fight unbeaten Adam Borics at Bellator 222". mmafighting.com.
  27. Mike Bohn (June 14, 2019). "Bellator 222 results: Adam Borics turns tables on Aaron Pico with flying knee KO". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  28. Farah Hannoun (December 3, 2019). "Adam Borics vs. Darrion Caldwell grand prix matchup set for Bellator 238". mmafighting.com.
  29. "Bellator 238 results: Live 'Cyborg vs Budd' streaming play-by-play updates". MMAMania.com. January 25, 2020. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
  30. Newswire, MMA Fighting (2020-07-15). "Bellator 242 official for July 24, full card announced including return of Aaron Pico". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  31. Anderson, Jay (2020-07-24). "Bellator 242 Results: Aaron Pico Pulls Off Quick Submission of Solo Hatley Jr". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-07-25.
  32. "Brett Okamoto". ESPN. October 3, 2020.
  33. "Photos: Wrestler Aaron Pico, a Pio Pico descendant".
  34. "Freestyle Wrestling World Cup - L.A." www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2020-06-22.
  35. http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2015/February/14/USA-wins-four-more-golds-in-Cuba
  36. "UPDATE: Pico, Anthony, Maroulis win golds at Henri Deglane Challenge in France". Team USA.
  37. "FLASH: Pico wins bronze at Senior-level Soslan Andiev International in Russia". Team USA.
  38. "Tunisia's Amri Wins Grand Prix of Spain as Sweden, Kazakhstan Impress". Archived from the original on 2017-08-30. Retrieved 2014-12-27.
  39. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2014-12-26.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  40. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2014-12-26.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  41. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2014-12-26.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  42. Sherdog.com. "Aaron Pico MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved 2018-09-30.
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