Aaron Pico

Pico started wrestling at the age of four, while also competing in multiple other combat sports.[10] During his freshman year of high school, Pico capped off a perfect 42–0 season at St. John Bosco High School and won the CIF state championship at 132 pounds.[11][12] Afterwards, Pico would compete in freestyle, and after making the US Cadet World Team, he claimed the Cadet World Championship at 63 kilograms.[13] He would also make his senior freestyle debut at age 18, defeating Alibeggadzhi Emeev in a lopsided decision in a dual meet against Russia.[14] In a surprising turn of events, Pico, the top–ranked high school wrestler in the country, signed major endorsement contracts with Dethrone Royalty, an MMA lifestyle apparel company, and a multi–year shoe endorsement with Nike, turning into a professional athlete in 2014.[15] This led him unable to compete in collegiate wrestling as per the rules of the NCAA, but Pico announced he intended to focus solely in freestyle to continue a mixed martial arts career after a 2016 Summer Olympic run, foregoing further education.[16] Before his MMA debut, Pico explained:[17]

"I always had it in mind that I would be an MMA fighter. I'm not going to waste my time with four, five years of college and get my MMA career started. I said I'm going to be in MMA so, I want to try and make this Olympic team, win a gold and then become a MMA fighter."

In 2014, Pico claimed the US Junior National Championship in April when he flawlessly defeated outstanding NCAA All–American from Penn State Zain Retherford in the finals, and went on to defeat him two more times in June for the US Junior World Team spot.[18] In July, Pico competed in the senior level, claiming a silver medal from the prestigious Grand Prix of Spain, falling to Yasar Dogu International champion Frank Chamizo.[19] In August, he competed at the Junior World Championships, where he defeated the eventual accomplished Daichi Takatani first round, and went on to defeat four more points by technical fall before facing eventual 2016 Olympic Gold medalist from Iran Hassan Yazdani, whom he lost to on points.[20] In October, he placed third at the prestigious Soslan Andiev International in Russia.[19] In November, he claimed his first senior level gold medal, winning the Henri Deglane Grand Prix, earning the biggest win of his career over 2013 World Champion from Armenia David Safaryan in the finals.[21]

To start off the year, he competed at the Golden Grand Prix Ivan Yarygin in January, placing 21st after losing first round to Akhmed Chakaev.[22] In February, he claimed the Cerro Pelado International championship, defeating Pan American champions, Franklin Marén and Alejandro Valdés, and two–time US World Team Member Reece Humphrey.[23] In April 6, Pico fell to Dan Hodge Trophy winner Brent Metcalf in a dual meet against Iowa.[24] He then went back to the junior level to claim the US National Championship in May and the US World Team spot in June, defeating Zain Retherford three times in the process.[25] In August, Pico placed third at the Junior World Championships, bringing a bronze medal to the United States.[26] Back to the senior level, Pico placed fifth at the Intercontinental Cup, third at the Bill Farrell International and fourth at the US Nationals (qualifying for the 2016 US Olympic Team Trials) before the year ended.[27][28]

To open up the Olympic year, he moved up to 70 kilograms for two tournaments, placing fifth at the Ukrainian International Open and third at the Alexander Medved Prizes, compiling notable victories over Nazar Kulchytskyy, 2010 Asian Games Gold medalist from Mongolia Ganzorigiin Mandakhnaran and 2015 U23 European Continental medalist from Belarus Andrei Karpach.[29][30] At the US Olympic Team Trials, Pico defeated 2010 NCAA champion Jason Ness, two–time NCAA champion and US National runner–up Jordan Oliver and three–time US National champion Reece Humphrey to make the best–of–three. In the finals, he faced reigning Pan American champion and 2012 NCAA champion Frank Molinaro, whom he was 2–1 against.[31] After defeating Molinaro first round, Pico was downed twice in razor close matches, losing his opportunity of becoming an Olympian at age 19.[32] This was Pico's last wrestling match before transitioning into MMA.[33] Molinaro went on to place fifth at the Olympics.

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.[36] Bellator MMA President, Scott Coker stated, "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."[37]

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.[38]

After his upset loss to Freeman, Pico moved down to the featherweight division and faced Justin Linn at Bellator 183 on September 23, 2017.[39] He won the fight via knockout in the first round.

Pico faced Shane Krutchen at Bellator 192 on January 20, 2018.[40] He won the fight via TKO in the first round.[41] with a brutal left to Krutchen's body.[42]

Pico faced Lee Morrison at Bellator 199 on May 12, 2018.[43] He won the fight via TKO in the first round.[44]

Pico faced Leandro Higo at Bellator 206 on September 29, 2018.[45] He won the fight via technical knockout in round one.[46]

Pico faced Henry Corrales at Bellator 214 on January 26, 2019. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.[47]

Pico faced Ádám Borics at Bellator 222 on June 14, 2019.[48] He lost the fight via technical knockout in the second round.[49]

Pico faced Daniel Carey at Bellator 238 on January 25, 2020.[50] He won the fight via knockout in the second round.[51]

Pico faced Chris Hatley Jr. at Bellator 242 on July 24, 2020.[52] He won the fight via submission in the first round.[53]

Pico faced John de Jesus at Bellator 252 on November 12, 2020.[54] He won via second round knockout.[55]

Pico was expected to face Aiden Lee on April 16, 2021, at Bellator 257.[56] However, on April 4, Pico had to pull out of the bout due to medical issues.[57] The fight eventually took place at Bellator 260 on June 11, 2021.[58] He won the fight via submission in the third round.[59]

Pico faced Justin Gonzales on November 12, 2021, at Bellator 271.[60] He won the bout in dominant fashion via unanimous decision.[61]

As the first bout of his new, multi-fight contract Pico was scheduled to face Jeremy Kennedy on April 15, 2022, at Bellator 277.[62][63] However, Kennedy withdrew 8 days before the event and Adli Edwards replaced him.[64][65] He won the bout via TKO in the third round.[66]

The bout against Jeremy Kennedy was rebooked for October 1, 2022, at Bellator 286.[67] After hurting his shoulder mid way through the first round, the bout was stopped after the first round by the doctor.[68] It was later revealed that Pico had not sustained a break, just a dislocation.[69]

Pico was scheduled to return from injury against Otto Rodrigues on April 22, 2023, at Bellator 295.[70] However, Rodrigues had to pull out with injury in early April and was replaced by James Gonzalez.[71] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[72]

Pico faced Pedro Carvalho on September 23, 2023, at Bellator 299.[73] He won the fight via ground and pound TKO in the first round.[74]