Aaron Pico, the highly touted former Bellator standout, is set to make his UFC debut against undefeated featherweight contender Movsar Evloev at UFC Abu Dhabi on July 26th. The five-round co-main event promises to be a clash of styles, with Pico's explosive finishing ability facing Evloev's dominant wrestling and relentless pace.
The UFC officially announced the highly anticipated matchup, confirming earlier reports. Pico (13-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC), known for his impressive knockout power, enters the UFC on a three-fight win streak. His last victory came against Henry Corrales at the PFL vs. Bellator showcase event, where he secured a first-round knockout.
Evloev (19-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) is riding a wave of momentum with nine consecutive wins in the UFC. He last defeated former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling by unanimous decision at UFC 310. UFC CEO Dana White has hinted that a victory over Pico could earn Evloev a title shot against featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski.
The Road to Abu Dhabi
Pico's journey to the UFC has been closely followed by MMA fans. After signing with the UFC in April, following a seven-year tenure with Bellator, his debut became a hot topic. The 28-year-old wrestler and striker brings a dynamic skill set to the UFC's featherweight division.
Evloev, 31, has been steadily climbing the featherweight ranks. His undefeated record includes wins over notable opponents like Arnold Allen, Diego Lopes, and Dan Ige. However, he has yet to secure a finish inside the octagon, something he aims to change against Pico.
UFC Abu Dhabi Main Card
The UFC Abu Dhabi card is stacked with exciting matchups, including:
- Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridder (Middleweight Main Event)
- Movsar Evloev vs. Aaron Pico (Featherweight Co-Main Event)
- Petr Yan vs. Marcus McGhee (Bantamweight)
- Bryce Mitchell vs. Said Nurmagomedov (Bantamweight)
The event will take place at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi and is expected to draw a large international audience. This card is a must-watch for any MMA fan.