Aaron Pico is eager to continue his pursuit of a fight with Movsar Evloev, despite the latter’s withdrawal from their highly-anticipated match scheduled for July 26th in Abu Dhabi. The reason for Evloev’s exit remains unclear, leaving both fans and Pico in suspense. Rather than expressing relief at dodging a matchup against the dominant pressure wrestler Evloev, Pico is steadfast in his desire to fight and has publicly expressed his disappointment over the situation.
In a candid Instagram post, Pico conveyed his feelings directly to Evloev, stating, “I’m pretty disappointed you pulled out of this one. I get that things happen… that said, my camps aren’t cheap, and I’m ready to get in there and put on a show sooner rather than later.” He pointed to a potential opening for their fight on August 16th in Chicago, urging Evloev to take the opportunity. Pico is clearly keen on making the most of his training efforts and showcasing his skills in the octagon.
Evloev, boasting an impressive undefeated record of 19-0 in MMA and 9-0 in the UFC, is well-respected in the featherweight division. His recent victories over notable fighters such as Aljamain Sterling and Arnold Allen underscore his credentials, yet he faces competition for a title shot, with more charismatic opponents like Yair Rodriguez capturing the spotlight. A fight with Pico would present an opportunity for Evloev to solidify his claim for a championship match against Alexander Volkanovski.
Pico, on the other hand, comes from Bellator and has built a solid reputation with a record of 9-1. Once an alternate on the 2016 U.S. Olympic freestyle wrestling team, he transitioned to MMA at the age of 18. After an initial struggle against top contenders early in his career, Pico has demonstrated significant growth through a series of knockout and submission victories, reaffirming his status as a top prospect in the sport.
While Evloev has yet to respond to Pico’s call for rescheduling, there is hope that the two will finally face off at UFC 319 in August. Fans are eagerly anticipating this clash between two rising stars in the featherweight division. Their potential bout could further invigorate the landscape of the UFC, highlighting the depth and talent that exists in the weight class.