Patricio Pitbull vs. Aaron Pico: Anticipated UFC Showdown

After years of speculation, Patricio Pitbull and Aaron Pico are finally set to clash under the UFC banner this Saturday at UFC 327 in Miami. Though Pico was unable to secure a title shot during Pitbull’s reign as the 145-pound champion in Bellator, their highly anticipated matchup is now a reality. Pitbull acknowledges that he expects a challenging encounter on April 11.

Pico’s entry into the UFC was marred by a severe knockout against Lerone Murphy, courtesy of a spectacular spinning elbow in August 2025. Meanwhile, Pitbull is coming off of a victory against Dan Ige and is vying for his second consecutive win in his third UFC outing.

“I’m very happy,” Pitbull told MMA Fighting. “This is a fight I’ve wanted for many years. He’s a really tough opponent. During his fight against Murphy, it was clear that the winner would be in contention for a title shot, so I’m pleased to have this opportunity even though he isn’t currently ranked.”

Having built a storied career in Bellator, where he became a two-division champion with a record of 24-6 and 14 finishes, Pitbull feels confident about finishing Pico in Miami. Approaching his 39th birthday in July, he sees this as an essential step toward another title chase.

Pitbull analyzed Pico, stating, “He has heavy hands but a fragile chin. It’s a fascinating contrast in one fighter. His knockout power can be game-changing, yet his chin can also put him in jeopardy from the simplest of strikes.” He elaborated that Pico’s aggressive style, while dangerous, actually plays into his own fighting strategy as a counter striker.

Despite recognizing the risks that Pico brings to the octagon, Pitbull noted that a mistake during Pico’s bout with Murphy contributed to his downfall. “You can see he started off strong, applying pressure and controlling the fight’s tempo. He’s not the type of opponent you can take lightly,” he added, underscoring the real threat Pico poses.

Looking ahead, Pitbull highlighted the urgency in his career. He said, “For the first time, people aren’t mentioning my name among title contenders, and that motivates me. Even after fighting Yair Rodriguez and defeating Dan Ige, I still find myself outside that conversation.” Pitbull has one name in mind for a potential post-fight callout: former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling, whom he expresses a strong desire to face.