The MMA world’s golden boy is facing a bit of trouble lately. A decade ago Aaron Pico had a successful run as a wrestler was was touted as the next big thing in mixed martial arts. Even renowned MMA manager Bob Cook said this about Pico, “Aaron Pico may be the greatest prospect in the history of MMA.” Missing the chance to take him into a renowned promotion would be a foolish thing to do. So Bellator’s former president Scott Coker took him in in a flash before UFC CEO Dana White could do anything.  

Unfortunately at present, things don’t look so favorable for ‘Cheeks’ because Bellator has been taken over by PFL. With the takeover, many Bellator fighters were absorbed by the PFL. As a result, the promotion has had a problem with booking fighters because it’s been a herculean task for them to pay their new roster of fighters. Now Pico is ready for UFC but PFL boss Donn Davis will not let him go. Frustrated, the Whittier, California native said the following, “I don’t want to fight for you. 3 times you canceled on me.”

On top of that UFC veterans Josh Thomson and Big John McCarthy are a little worried about UFC’s lack of enthusiasm about it. During the latest episode of Weighing In, (episode #549), ‘The Punk’ and Big John discussed this scenario. Pico requested Davis to release him but Davis said he could ‘match’ the price with other promotions that want to keep him.

But McCarthy was apprehensive about how much Dana White was ready to compensate Pico. He said, “When you’re going, you know, T for T, and in the dotting of the I’s, they [PFL] can’t match it [the UFC’s offer]. But they have to. The UFC would have to want him and I don’t know if they want him that bad.” Thomson interjected, saying, “I know they do want him that bad.”

They also mentioned that UFC would need to find creative ways of offering Pico a substantial benefit that the promotion would otherwise not offer to other fighters coming from other organizations. Pico (13-4) has not competed since he delivered a first-round TKO of Henry Corrales at the PFL vs. Bellator: Champions event in Saudi Arabia. This is the only fight he has had since PFL acquired Bellator in late 2023.

“I am a free agent, but there’s only one little thing, one hiccup: that PFL has the right to match any offer I receive,” Pico told MMA Junkie on Monday. “So I’m still waiting for an offer from the UFC, but that’s the hiccup that I have in my contract. UFC is where I want to go.”

Pico is exceptionally sought after in the MMA world because of his high-level wrestling. He also has a decorated amateur career with highlight reel knockouts and an exciting fighting style. The fighter packs a deadly left hook much like our very own Alex Pereira. So Donn Davis not letting him go is not a surprise. Meanwhile, UFC commentator Joe Rogan gave his views on why the UFC should sign Aaron Pico.

Joe Rogan gushes about Aaron Pico’s potential

Joe Rogan is already excited about the idea of Aaron Pico moving to the UFC. On The Joe Rogan Experience’s Fight Companion for UFC 312, the UFC color commentator made his stance clear on this. He confessed that he hopes UFC signs Pico because his potential is getting wasted, stating people have no idea how good he is. 

What’s stopping him is Davis, which Pico complained about the same in MMA Junkie. He said, “And to be completely honest with you, the only one that’s holding it up and won’t give me my full, full, release is Donn Davis. He won’t do it for reasons I have no idea.” However Davis did not hold back and gave a scathing comment on X. He posted, “To be clear PFL MMA is NOT holding him back, Pico as a free agent can sign TODAY with UF, C and then PFL MMA can decide whether to match offer.” 

However, even if Davis says Pico is a free agent there is a catch. PFL still holds a 90-day exclusive negotiation window, followed by a matching period. In other words, even if the UFC and Dana White come knocking, PFL gets the last say.

The 28-year-old has given everything to MMA and now wants to reach the pinnacle of the sport with the UFC. But will Dana White see this precious gem among the stones and take him in? Share your thoughts in the comments below.