{"id":9604,"date":"2025-06-19T14:24:44","date_gmt":"2025-06-19T14:24:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/umyonews.site\/index.php\/2025\/06\/19\/aaron-pico-books-ufc-fight-night-debut-former-bellator-standout-to-face-unbeaten-movsar-evloev-in-july\/"},"modified":"2025-06-19T14:24:44","modified_gmt":"2025-06-19T14:24:44","slug":"aaron-pico-books-ufc-fight-night-debut-former-bellator-standout-to-face-unbeaten-movsar-evloev-in-july","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/umyonews.site\/index.php\/2025\/06\/19\/aaron-pico-books-ufc-fight-night-debut-former-bellator-standout-to-face-unbeaten-movsar-evloev-in-july\/","title":{"rendered":"Aaron Pico books UFC Fight Night debut: Former Bellator standout to face unbeaten Movsar Evloev in July"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Former Bellator MMA standout Aaron Pico will go five rounds for the first time in his mixed martial arts career, and he’ll do it in a UFC Octagon. Pico is set to make his UFC debut against highly-touted featherweight contender Movsar Evloev on July 26.<\/p>\n

Evloev vs. Pico serves as the co-main event for UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. UFC CEO Dana White confirmed<\/a> the fight on Wednesday. The card is headlined by former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker vs. former two-division ONE Championship titleholder Reinier de Ridder. Both fights will be contested for a maximum of five rounds. <\/p>\n

“Most people consider him the top free agent in the world,” White said. “Aaron Pico is a ridiculously violent striker and a very high-level grappler.”<\/p>\n

Pico’s first UFC assignment speaks volumes about the promotion’s interest in him. Evloev (19-0) is ranked No. 4 in the UFC’s official featherweight rankings, and is arguably most deserving to challenge featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. Evloev is taking a major risk by dangling his position in the division against an unranked opponent.<\/p>\n

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Former Bellator MMA standout Aaron Pico signs with UFC, calls out Brian Ortega and Aljamain Sterling<\/p>\n

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Pico (13-4) honed his professional MMA career exclusively in Bellator and the Professional Fighters League. He never challenged for a title in either promotion, but was on the cusp of contention before separating from PFL. Pico is a decorated wrestler, having won three major gold medals in freestyle wrestling and served as a 2016 Olympic alternate.<\/p>\n

Pico announced his UFC signing in April. At the time, Pico claimed a proposed bout with Evloev fell through. He called out former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling and featherweight title challenger Brian Ortega, but eventually signed to fight Evloev.<\/p>\n

“After years of hard work, dedication, and unwavering belief, I’ve officially signed with the UFC!” Pico wrote<\/a> on Instagram. “This is more than just a dream come true; it’s the beginning of a new chapter… The ultimate goal? To become the UFC champion. I’m ready to work harder than ever before to make that a reality.” <\/p>\n

UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. De Ridder will take place at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n