Aaron Pico is confident he’ll be at his peak performance for UFC 333 and ready to adapt to any last-minute changes. Since bouncing back with a decision win over Patricio Freire at UFC 327, Pico (14-5 MMA, 1-1 UFC) had expected to face a former champion next. Instead, the UFC scheduled him to fight contender Arnold Allen at UFC 333 on October 24 at Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena. Unfortunately, Allen got injured, leading to Losene Keita stepping in as the replacement opponent.
For Pico, staying flexible and prepared for any challenge inside or outside the cage is the priority. “It’s been a wild few months,” he shared with MMA Junkie Radio. “I thought I’d fight Aljamain Sterling, but that fell through. Then they said I’d fight Arnold Allen, which was exciting since he’s ranked No. 5. But honestly, I don’t really focus on rankings. If I’m not the champion, that’s what matters most to me. I’m not the type to wait for the perfect fight or worry about protecting rankings. I just want to keep fighting, gaining experience, and eventually earn the championship. Whoever’s put in front of me, I say yes and fight.”
Keita (17-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) is known for his hard-hitting striking, which contrasts with the styles of fighters Pico initially anticipated facing. Though he can’t control his opponents, Pico is committed to honing a versatile skill set so he can handle any style. “He’s a powerful puncher and very skilled, making him a dangerous adversary,” Pico said. “But to be a world champion, you’ve got to be able to face all kinds of fighters. Whether it’s grapplers, tricky Muay Thai specialists, or heavy-hitting boxers like Keita, you have to adapt. The goal is to reach a level of mastery where I can confidently say, ‘Bring on the power puncher—I’ve got strategies to beat him.’ This fight is another step on that journey.”
Pico first gained attention as a promising prospect in Bellator and, despite ups and downs, now ranks among the UFC’s featherweight top 15. At 30 years old, he believes his prime is ahead and wants to seize every chance as he pushes toward the title. He’s even prepared to weigh in at championship limit for UFC 333 in case the main event between champion Alexander Volkanovski and challenger Movsar Evloev falls through. “Definitely—I want to be ready at championship weight,” Pico said. “I hit 145 pounds at my last fight, so I’ll keep that going.”
Fan Take:
Aaron Pico’s willingness to embrace last-minute changes and fight any opponent highlights the resilience and adaptability that fans admire in top fighters. This mindset not only elevates his chances for a title run but also adds excitement and unpredictability to the sport, keeping fight fans engaged and invested.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
