Aaron Pico signs with UFC after PFL exit

Featherweight contender begins a new chapter with eyes on UFC championship.

Aaron Pico gets ready to face Henry Corrales during the 2024 PFL vs Bellator: Champs event at Kingdom Arena on February 24, 2024, in Riyadh. Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Aaron Pico signs with UFC after PFL exit, marking a bold new chapter in the career of one of mixed martial arts' most dynamic athletes. The announcement came directly from the 28-year-old featherweight contender, who shared his excitement on social media on Wednesday from Jakarta.

“After years of hard work, dedication, and unwavering belief, I have officially signed with the UFC!” Pico wrote. The news instantly reverberated across the MMA community, with fans and fellow fighters welcoming his arrival to the sport’s most prestigious organization.

The signing is more than just a contract—it’s a dream fulfilled for Pico, who has been touted for years as one of the brightest prospects in the sport.

“This is more than a dream come true. It’s the start of something new,” Pico added. In the same post, he expressed heartfelt gratitude to his family, longtime manager Ali Abdelaziz, coaches, and training partners who stood by him through ups and downs.

"Your trust in me has fueled my spirit," he wrote.

From prodigy to professional: Pico’s long road to the UFC

Aaron Pico’s path to the UFC has been anything but conventional. Born in Whittier, California, Pico quickly established himself as a phenom in wrestling and boxing from a young age. Many believed he was destined for Olympic stardom. However, after failing to make the U.S. Olympic wrestling team in 2016, he pivoted toward a full-time MMA career.

Pico initially signed with Bellator MMA while still a teenager. Although highly touted, his debut did not go as planned—he suffered a stunning first-round loss that cast doubt on his transition to professional fighting.

But setbacks are often what define a fighter. Pico, humbled and hungry, returned to the drawing board. He refined his skillset under elite coaches such as Brandon Gibson and Greg Jackson. Over time, he evolved into a more patient, strategic, and dangerous featherweight.

The comeback trail

In his last 10 fights between Bellator and PFL, Pico racked up an impressive 9-1 record. His only loss came as a result of a freak shoulder injury during a bout with Jeremy Kennedy. Despite being forced to withdraw in the opening round, Pico didn’t let that moment derail his momentum.

He returned with a vengeance, stringing together three consecutive wins. Among them was a highlight-reel knockout over Henry Corrales in early 2024—an especially satisfying victory, as Corrales had handed Pico a crushing defeat earlier in his career. That KO served not only as redemption but also as a declaration that Pico had fully come into his own.

The featherweight division took notice, and so did the UFC.

The move to the UFC: Timing and opportunity

Aaron Pico signs with UFC after PFL exit at a point in his career where he appears more mature, experienced, and focused than ever. While leaving PFL as a free agent, Pico carefully weighed his next step. The decision to join the UFC wasn’t just about prestige—it was about testing himself against the best.

“This isn’t just another promotion. It’s the highest level of competition,” Pico stated. “I’m ready to give everything I have. My only goal now is to become a UFC champion.”

With the UFC featherweight division packed with talent like Alexander Volkanovski, Ilia Topuria, and Max Holloway, Pico will have no shortage of high-stakes matchups awaiting him. But few question whether he’s up for the challenge.

A fighter forged in fire

What makes Pico's journey remarkable isn’t just the talent—it’s the resilience. From Olympic dreams that never materialized to early career stumbles, and a public spotlight that often burned too bright, Pico kept moving forward. He never lost faith in his potential.

He has now re-emerged as a complete fighter: explosive in the cage, technical in his approach, and mentally tougher than ever. With a wrestling base that few can match and knockout power in both hands, Pico’s presence in the UFC could shake up the rankings sooner than many expect.

His blend of athleticism, fight IQ, and humility makes him one of the most compelling figures in MMA today.

While no official date has been set for his UFC debut, speculation is already building. Will he be fast-tracked into a top-15 matchup? Or will the UFC look to ease him in with a winnable first fight before unleashing him into the rankings?

Either way, fans will be watching. The anticipation surrounding Aaron Pico signing with the UFC after PFL exit is palpable—and for good reason. There’s a sense that the best of Pico is yet to come.

In a sport that often thrives on hype, Aaron Pico is the real deal. What he’s accomplished so far is only a prologue. With youth still on his side and a career’s worth of experience behind him, he enters the UFC not as a newcomer, but as a battle-tested contender ready to chase greatness.

Stay tuned—because the next chapter is about to be written inside the Octagon.