Aaron Pico was a runner-up at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.comAmateur wrestling phenom Aaron Pico will make his highly-anticipated professional mixed martial arts debut at Bellator 180 on June 24 in New York, ESPN.com reported Thursday evening.
Pico, 20, will make his first pro MMA appearance competing at lightweight (155-pound) against an opponent to be determined. The Whittier, Calif. native will be part of the card headlined by past University of Oregon All-American Chael Sonnen taking on Wanderlei Silva in the main event to be held at Madison Square Garden, the first time a Bellator event has been held in New York City.
Pico signed with Bellator in November 2014 as an 18-year-old while he was still focused on wrestling. He has numerous national and international freestyle wrestling titles, but decided to forego a collegiate career. In addition to his mat background, Pico is a former Golden Gloves amateur boxing champion.
In a previous interview, Bellator MMA President Scott Coker said, "Simply put, Aaron has all the makings of MMA's next great superstar, and to have him here at Bellator MMA is something special. Like many of us in the MMA community, Aaron is someone we've been watching closely over the last few years, and after sitting down with Bob Cook and his team, getting a chance to meet Aaron, and hearing his long-term aspirations, the fit became very obvious."
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