Aaron Pico established himself as a dominant force in amateur wrestling, securing a U17 World Championship title in 2013 at 63 kilograms. This early achievement followed an undefeated 42-0 season in his freshman year of high school at St. John Bosco, culminating in a CIF state championship at 132 pounds. Picos impressive multi-sport background also includes significant combat sports victories, having been crowned National PAL champion in boxing in 2008, National Junior Golden Gloves champion in boxing in 2009, National Pankration champion in 2008, and Golden Cup European Pankration champion in 2010.
His freestyle wrestling career culminated in 2016 when he reached the finals of the US Olympic Team Trials at 65 kg, becoming an alternate for the Olympic team before making his full transition to mixed martial arts. His professional MMA career commenced with Bellator MMA in 2017. Following an initial submission loss at Bellator NYC, Pico swiftly rebounded, establishing a formidable presence with a series of first-round knockouts and TKOs. He notably defeated opponents such as Justin Linn, Shane Krutchen, Lee Morrison, and Leandro Higo.
Throughout his tenure with Bellator MMA, Pico accumulated a strong record, demonstrating his versatility with significant wins achieved via knockout, submission, and decision, solidifying his reputation as a dynamic and aggressive fighter. Pico is set to continue his ascent in professional mixed martial arts with his highly anticipated debut in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 2025. He consistently hones his elite skills by training with some of the sport’s most prestigious teams, including Jackson Wink MMA Academy, American Kickboxing Academy, and The Body Shop MMA, under the guidance of various renowned coaches. This commitment to continuous development positions him as a significant contender and a marketable talent within the global fighting community.