‘We’re interested’ – Dana White gets brutally honest about signing fighter once dubbed ‘greatest prospect in MMA history’
Dana White has admitted the UFC is 'definitely' interested in signing Aaron Pico following his PFL exit.
Pico has been considered a future world champion for a long time since making his professional MMA debut in 2017 at the age of 20.
He has since gone on to have a largely successful career under the Bellator MMA banner, which is now operates under the Professional Fighters League (PFL), where he is currently unbeaten in his last three fights.
The 28-year-old became a free agent this month, following in the footsteps of former Bellator featherweight champion Patricio 'Pitbull' Freire, who asked to be released from the PFL in a viral dispute with the promotion.
Following the news, UFC President Dana White was questioned about the two now ex-Bellator stars.
"I don't know, I'll talk to the boys about that and see where we're at," White, 55, said on Freire at UFC 311's post-fight press conference.
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However, his response was drastically different when asked about the potential of signing Pico.
Pico's exclusive negotiation window with the PFL is ending soon, according to his famous manager Ali Abdelaziz, and White didn't hesitate to confirm his interest.
“I definitely know the boys are interested in him,” he said.
Pico has won nine of his past 10 fights for the promotion with his only loss coming after he suffered a freak shoulder injury against Jeremy Kennedy in 2022.
His exit from the PFL follows 'Pitbull', who said he was granted an 'unconditional release' from the PFL he publicly criticised them on social media.
The 37-year-old appealed to PFL's heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou to intervene with his contract dispute, after it was revealed the Bellator promotion would dissolve, meaning the veteran was likely to be offered a new contract on less money.
"I’m going to do everything I can to help these guys become successful, but I’m also going to do everything I can to make sure my fighters stay regularly competing and have fights, because if they do not have fights, they cannot buy that time back.
“Pico didn’t say nothing because he’s a free agent. He can shop here very soon, after 90 days (of the exclusive negotiation period).
"Maybe before the 90 days PFL make him a deal he cannot refuse, I don’t know.”
Pico is a former Olympic wrestling hopeful, having started the sport when he was four years old, and competed in national tournaments just two years later at the age of six.
He then got involved with boxing by the age of nine, and three years later flew to Japan by himself for a month to train.
As a high school freshman in 2013, Pico went 42 wins undefeated in wrestling and won a California state championship.
He signed a developmental contract in 2014, which allowed him to pursue the 2016 Olympic wrestling team, representing America, before eventually transitioning to MMA.
Pico was then scouted by veteran manager Bob Cook, who has previously brought talented fighters like UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier to former Bellator president Scott Coker's attention.
Ahead of his Bellator debut in 2017, Coker described Pico as potentially 'the greatest prospect in the history of MMA'.
"I have never seen a guy come in more coveted, more praise around him, more pressure put on him and more anticipation than Aaron Pico.
"I truly believe not only will he take over the division, he will become the face of the company and the face of the industry."
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Pico hasn't quite achieved what Sonnen predicted for his future career.
However, at only 28 years old, he is arguably entering the prime of his career, and that’s why White didn't shy away from expressing his desire to sign him to the UFC.