Aaron Pico, once hailed as one of the most promising prospects in MMA history, finds his future hanging in the balance as he enters free agency. The 28-year-old fighter, who has built a solid record of 13-4, is set to explore his options after his contract with Bellator officially expires. Pico, who made his MMA debut under the Bellator banner at just 20 years old, was initially expected to take the sport by storm. However, while there have been glimpses of his immense talent, his journey has been marked by some early struggles and injury setbacks, including a shoulder dislocation that resulted in his lone defeat during a successful stretch of nine wins in 10 fights.

Pico hasn’t competed since February 2024, when he earned a first-round TKO victory over Henry Corrales at the PFL vs. Bellator: Champions event in Saudi Arabia. His inactivity, coupled with Bellator’s acquisition by PFL in late 2023, has led to growing frustration among several fighters on the Bellator roster. For Pico, however, his lack of involvement in the promotion wasn’t due to a lack of interest but rather due to his contractual situation. According to his manager, Ali Abdelaziz of Dominance MMA, Pico is now officially a free agent and poised to enter the open market.

Abdelaziz confirmed to MMA Junkie that Pico’s exclusive matching period with PFL, which allows the promotion to make a final offer before he can sign with any other organization, will conclude in January 2025. After this period, Pico will be free to negotiate with any company, and his manager intends to ensure the best possible terms for his client, both in terms of financial compensation and competitive activity. Abdelaziz emphasized that while the UFC may be eager to bring Pico into their fold, PFL might offer him an attractive deal to keep him in their promotion.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Abdelaziz made it clear that Pico is looking to stay active. He emphasized that consistent competition is critical to Pico’s development and that inactivity, like what he has faced recently, could undermine his career progression. Pico’s desire to remain competitive while securing a lucrative deal will be a key factor in his decision-making process.

With the clock ticking on his exclusive negotiation period, the next few months could prove pivotal in determining where Aaron Pico’s MMA journey will take him next.

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