Aaron Pico believes he is finally putting the pieces together. After a devastating knockout loss in his UFC debut and an impressive rebound against Patricio “Pitbull” Freire, the featherweight contender says the adjustments he is making could take his career to another level.
Pico (14-5 MMA, 1-1 UFC) returns to action at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, facing Losene Keita (17-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) in the main card opener. It is another important opportunity for the former Bellator standout to build momentum in the UFC featherweight division, and he arrives with renewed confidence in the direction of his game.
“You haven't seen the best version of Aaron Pico yet,” he told Fighters Only ahead of the fight. “And I think with this mindset and this new concept that I'm learning, the sky's the limit for me.”
It is a bold statement from a fighter who has spent much of his career carrying enormous expectations. A decorated wrestler and boxer in his youth before transitioning to mixed martial arts, Pico was widely regarded as one of the sport's most promising prospects. His journey, however, has not been without setbacks.
His UFC debut ended in brutal fashion when Lerone Murphy knocked him out with a spinning elbow. Pico responded with a composed, commanding performance against Freire, a former Bellator champion, demonstrating a different side to his game. For Pico, the difference was not simply a matter of working harder. It was about learning to fight smarter.
Learning to Let the Fight Develop
Pico has never lacked aggression or the ability to overwhelm opponents. But he recognizes that those qualities alone are not enough against the elite fighters at the top of the UFC featherweight division.
One of the most important changes came through his work with coach Roberto Guerrero, whom Pico has trained with for some time. Guerrero encouraged him to reconsider how he approaches a fight, emphasizing patience, defensive responsibility, and the importance of setting traps rather than forcing exchanges.
“One of the things is cooking the fight,” Pico explained. “And what I mean by that is just letting the fight happen. Cook it, add a little bit of salt, add a little bit of pepper. You don't have to go crazy right away.”
It is a simple analogy, but it reflects a significant shift in mindset.
“If you look at a lot of my fights, I would just kind of go forward, not really any defense,” he said. “And fighting at this level against the best guys in the world, that's going to get you in trouble. I knew if I wanted to be the best in the UFC, I had to switch some things up,” he said.
Changing an established style was not necessarily comfortable. Pico acknowledged that experimenting with new techniques and approaches can be mentally challenging, particularly when a fighter has spent years relying on familiar instincts.
But he stayed committed to the process, and the performance against Freire offered encouraging evidence that the work is paying off.
A Fighter Still Developing
At 30, Pico believes he still has considerable room to grow. Although his early career made him feel like a veteran long before his time, he sees his development as an ongoing process rather than a finished product.
His advice to younger fighters reflects that philosophy.
“If I can give one advice for any young fighter coming up or even older, it's just don't be so stuck in your ways,” he said. “Even if you're the best in one area, this is a whole different sport.”
For Pico, mixed martial arts demands constant learning. Success in wrestling or boxing does not automatically translate into mastery of the complete sport, and the fighters who continue improving are the ones willing to challenge their own habits.
“You're going to have to be a student of the game every single fight, every single day,” he said. “It's a never-ending process in this sport.”
That willingness to adapt could be crucial as Pico looks to establish himself among the UFC's top featherweights. His physical tools and experience have long made him an intriguing prospect, but turning that potential into sustained success requires consistency against increasingly difficult opposition.
Saturday's matchup with Keita will provide another test of his evolving approach.
Pico recognizes the danger posed by his opponent, particularly Keita's explosive attacks and powerful right hand.
“This guy has moments and he blitzes people, and he has a devastating right hand,” Pico said. “He's got a lot of power. He's very explosive.”
His plan is to remain composed, implement the strategy he has been developing, and use his strengths to dictate where the fight takes place.
“I have to wear him down,” he said, adding that he believes sticking to the game plan will lead to a successful night.
The Road to a UFC Title
Pico is not hiding his ambitions. He believes that a series of dominant, entertaining performances could put him within reach of a championship opportunity sooner rather than later.
“I think if I put on dominating fights, exciting fights, and the fans get behind me, and I just keep moving forward, I don't think it's going to be crazy long,” he said.
For now, his immediate focus remains on Keita. Pico knows that his position in the division will depend on what he accomplishes inside the Octagon, not simply what he believes he can achieve.
Still, he is confident in his ability to compete with the very best.
“I can say that anybody in the top 10, including the champion, I'll be prepared to fight and I believe I will win,” he said.
It is the kind of confidence that has followed Pico throughout his career. The difference now is that he believes he is developing the tactical maturity to match his natural ability.
UFC 333 represents another step in that process. A victory over Keita would give Pico further momentum and strengthen his case for a place among the division's leading contenders.
He has already experienced the disappointment of a brutal UFC debut and the satisfaction of an emphatic response. Now, he is trying to build something more sustainable.
Pico believes the best version of himself is still ahead. Against Keita, he has another opportunity to show just how close he might be to finding it.
