After being widely touted as the next big thing in MMA, we waited with baited breath to see Aaron Pico make his debut at Bellator NYC last June.
But, it’s probably a fair assessment to say it went about as well for him as Jonathan Woodgate’s did for Real Madrid. Pico was submitted within 24 seconds via a guillotine choke by Zach Freeman and we were all left to wonder whether he was nothing more than a hyped up work in progress.
Well last night he showed us exactly why he was so well regarded. In preparation for his bout the featherweight had been sparring with Miguel Cotto and his devastating left hook knockout of Justin Linn in the first round would have been something Junito himself would have been proud of.
Ladies and gentlemen…@AaronPicoUSA #Bellator183 pic.twitter.com/kp5mHl7pfS
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) September 24, 2017
Safe to say, the MMA world in general were hugely impressed, including former Bantamweight Champion, TJ Dillashaw. He even got a congratulatory visit from big Daniel Cormier. Sure he’s nothing else to do while he waits for Jon Jones to ruin his career once more.
Congrats @aaronpicousa on a big knock out! Many more to come. Oh yeah happy birthday as well.… https://t.co/cEX5lO2GNt
— TJ Dillashaw (@TJDillashaw) September 24, 2017
Just a little hiccup in that last one, pico is the real
— Al Iaquinta🗽 (@ALIAQUINTA) September 24, 2017
We’ve got all the latest punch perfect UFC odds over at PaddyPower.comThe victorious @aaronpicousa gets a surprise visit from @dc_mma! #Bellator183 pic.twitter.com/WQhRG52Z4u
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) September 24, 2017