Heading into his Bellator debut at tomorrow’s Bellator NYC, Aaron Pico is only 20 years old, and yet he’s accomplished so much. With a background in both wrestling and boxing, Pico is a physically gifted athlete. He’s won multiple championships in freestyle wrestling, and came one point shy of making the US Olympic team in […]
Heading into his Bellator debut at tomorrow’s Bellator NYC, Aaron Pico is only 20 years old, and yet he’s accomplished so much.
With a background in both wrestling and boxing, Pico is a physically gifted athlete. He’s won multiple championships in freestyle wrestling, and came one point shy of making the US Olympic team in 2016 at the age of 19. In boxing, he’s won a Golden Gloves junior national championship, and trains out of the famed Wildcard Gym in Los Angeles, California.
Three years ago, Pico signed a deal with Bellator MMA, and this weekend (June 24, 2017), he’ll make not only his promotional debut, but his professional debut. He’ll do so against veteran Zach Freeman in the main card opener of Bellator’s pay-per-view event at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Unsurprisingly, Pico, who some have dubbed as a prodigy of sorts, has garnered quite a bit of attention ahead of the event, and he’s deservingly stood out as a fighter to watch. The interesting thing to note, however, is that the hype surrounding him, which is quite evident, is very unique.
In today’s MMA landscape, it seems as if the more outspoken and the more vocal a fighter is, the more attention he receives. For example, take a look at Bellator NYC headliner Chael Sonnen. Sure, Sonnen is a talented fighter and a veteran of the fight game, but he became one of the biggest stars in the sport years ago due to his ability to work a microphone and sell a fight.
UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor represents another example of this theory. Now to give him credit, the Irishman typically backs up his words inside the Octagon, but his meteoric rise to the top of MMA was based primarily off of his trash talking skills and brash personality.
Pico, however, doesn’t fit this mold – at least not yet. The hype surrounding him isn’t due to any sort of trash talk, or any sort of self-promotion he’s attempted to do.
That isn’t to see he’s not confident, however.
In fact, told MMAFighting.com’s Ariel Helwani that he’s the ‘shot caller’:
“I am the shot caller for sure, but I’ve earned that,” Pico said. Come with me and see what I do everyday, and what I’ve been doing since I was four years old. The work is paying off, finally.”
At such a young age, it’s tough to predict where Pico’s career will take him. Perhaps one day he’ll turn into that type of outspoken star that we seem to see all over MMA these days.
At this point, however, he appears to be nothing more than a young fighter garnering interest due to a lifetime of hard work and accomplishments. This is where his hype truly stems from and in my opinion, he represents a breath of fresh air.
In the end, the hype surrounding Pico is undoubtedly deserved, but it’s also different. Let’s see if he lives up to it on Saturday night and beyond.
Aaron Pico is growing tired of James Gallagher’s trash talk. Right now, Gallagher is involved in a beef with fellow Bellator featherweight A.J. McKee. Pico and McKee are fellow American wrestlers and SoCal natives. Speaking with MMAFighting.com, Pico said Gallagher needs to put up or shut up. “James Gallagher needs to fight A.J. McKee, stop […]
Aaron Pico is growing tired of James Gallagher’s trash talk. Right now, Gallagher is involved in a beef with fellow Bellator featherweight A.J. McKee. Pico and McKee are fellow American wrestlers and SoCal natives. Speaking with MMAFighting.com, Pico said Gallagher needs to put up or shut up. “James Gallagher needs to fight A.J. McKee, stop […]
Aaron Pico isn’t exactly hunting for tomato cans. Pico is set to make his professional mixed martial arts (MMA) debut inside Madison Square Garden in New York City on June 24. He’ll take on Zach Freeman, who has a record of 8-2. The bout will take place live on pay-per-view in the main card opener […]
Aaron Pico isn’t exactly hunting for tomato cans. Pico is set to make his professional mixed martial arts (MMA) debut inside Madison Square Garden in New York City on June 24. He’ll take on Zach Freeman, who has a record of 8-2. The bout will take place live on pay-per-view in the main card opener […]
Ahead of Michael Bisping’s first title defense as UFC Middleweight Champion at UFC 204 and former champion Luke Rockhold’s first fight since losing the title against Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza at UFC Fight Night, their second fight is reaxmined in great detail in the new UFC Fight Pass special, “TWENTY/20: Bisping vs. Rockhold 2 Preview.”
Featured above is a special preview of the episode, which will be available exclusively on UFC’s streaming digital network service.
“The biggest upset in the history of the UFC middleweight world title gets the TWENTY/20 treatment! Crammed with stats, fascinating facts and featuring exclusive feedback from both fighters and their cornermen, this is the definitive way to re-live Michael Bisping’s stunning win over Luke Rockhold. The full episode drops on UFC FIGHT PASS Thursday 9/22!”
https://youtu.be/q7AGW8oBhek
Ahead of Michael Bisping’s first title defense as UFC Middleweight Champion at UFC 204 and former champion Luke Rockhold’s first fight since losing the title against Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza at UFC Fight Night, their second fight is reaxmined in great detail in the new UFC Fight Pass special, “TWENTY/20: Bisping vs. Rockhold 2 Preview.”
Featured above is a special preview of the episode, which will be available exclusively on UFC’s streaming digital network service.
“The biggest upset in the history of the UFC middleweight world title gets the TWENTY/20 treatment! Crammed with stats, fascinating facts and featuring exclusive feedback from both fighters and their cornermen, this is the definitive way to re-live Michael Bisping’s stunning win over Luke Rockhold. The full episode drops on UFC FIGHT PASS Thursday 9/22!”
Jarod Trice, a three-time NCAA All-American wrestler, has signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator MMA.
Trice, 27 years old, won a national title at 120kg and two Greco-Roman national titles. He joins a list of fighters that includes Aaron Pico, Ed Ruth and Tyrell Fortune on the Bellator roster.
“Following in the footsteps of guys like Ruth and Fortune to Bellator MMA was a no brainer for me,” Trice said. “Scott Coker is a promoter that treats the fighters with so much respect, and dealing with him and his team through this signing process has been amazing. I’m really looking forward to fighting for Coker, the Bellator promotion, and for every wrestling and MMA fan out there before the end of the year. If you aren’t familiar with my name yet, you will be as soon as I get in that cage.”
Trice competed for Central Michigan University at both 120kg and 98kg, but light heavyweight will be his home for MMA. Along with wrestling training sessions at Iowa State University under former UFC fighter Kevin Jackson and at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, Trice has worked out alongside Bellator fighters Bubba Jenkins and Darrion Caldwell in Arizona.
“We’re excited to be adding yet another world-class wrestling talent to our ever-growing roster of fighters here at Bellator,” Coker said. “I’ve always taken great pride in our ability to identify and build stars in this business, and I have great confidence that we’ve found a gem in Jarod Trice.”
Jarod Trice, a three-time NCAA All-American wrestler, has signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator MMA.
Trice, 27 years old, won a national title at 120kg and two Greco-Roman national titles. He joins a list of fighters that includes Aaron Pico, Ed Ruth and Tyrell Fortune on the Bellator roster.
“Following in the footsteps of guys like Ruth and Fortune to Bellator MMA was a no brainer for me,” Trice said. “Scott Coker is a promoter that treats the fighters with so much respect, and dealing with him and his team through this signing process has been amazing. I’m really looking forward to fighting for Coker, the Bellator promotion, and for every wrestling and MMA fan out there before the end of the year. If you aren’t familiar with my name yet, you will be as soon as I get in that cage.”
Trice competed for Central Michigan University at both 120kg and 98kg, but light heavyweight will be his home for MMA. Along with wrestling training sessions at Iowa State University under former UFC fighter Kevin Jackson and at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, Trice has worked out alongside Bellator fighters Bubba Jenkins and Darrion Caldwell in Arizona.
“We’re excited to be adding yet another world-class wrestling talent to our ever-growing roster of fighters here at Bellator,” Coker said. “I’ve always taken great pride in our ability to identify and build stars in this business, and I have great confidence that we’ve found a gem in Jarod Trice.”
When CM Punk signed with the UFC last night MMA fans, pundits and every pseudo-journalist in between lost their minds either with glee, bemusement, or disgust.
There’s not necessarily one “right” way to look at the issue of the UFC signing CM Punk (whose real name is Phil Brooks). Is he killing MMA’s credibility? Yes. Is he going to be a big draw and help the UFC out of a rut? Yes.
There’s a lot going on here. Let’s look at CM Punk’s UFC signing in depth…
CM Punk is killing the UFC’s credibility
Oh, undeniably. The argument here is signing CM Punk turns the UFC from legitimate athletic endeavor [Ed’s note: LMAO]into celebrity boxing.
Proponents of this theory are, well, kind of accurate. During the Reebok sponsorship press conference last week, the UFC boasted about the Reebok deal bringing them in line with the NFL and other major sports organizations. While the realities of that statement are dubious, it’s clear the UFC wanted viewers to leave with that “fact” as a key takeaway.
But would an NFL team sign CM Punk as a QB just because he might draw ratings and sell tickets? Hell, NFL teams wouldn’t even sign perennial attention-getter Tim Tebow who’s an actual football player. And as Bleacher Report‘s Jonathan Snowden pointed out, even Michael Jordan had to start in the minor leagues when he wanted to play baseball.
The NFL, NBA, or any other big league would never sign a 36-year-old with zero sports background just for attention and a bit of quick cash. These organizations care about legitimacy or at least the illusion of legitimacy. They want to convey class and prestige. They’re athletic contests, not Dancing with the Stars.
By signing CM Punk, the UFC admitted they are an entertainment company first and a sport second. While this has arguably been true since day one, they’ve never gone out of their way to make it so apparent before.
More takes after the jump.
(Future UFC middleweight champion CM Punk. / Photo via Getty)
There’s not necessarily one “right” way to look at the issue of the UFC signing CM Punk (whose real name is Phil Brooks). Is he killing MMA’s credibility? Yes. Is he going to be a big draw and help the UFC out of a rut? Yes.
There’s a lot going on here. Let’s look at CM Punk’s UFC signing in depth…
CM Punk is killing the UFC’s credibility
Oh, undeniably. The argument here is signing CM Punk turns the UFC from legitimate athletic endeavor [Ed’s note: LMAO]into celebrity boxing.
Proponents of this theory are, well, kind of accurate. During the Reebok sponsorship press conference last week, the UFC boasted about the Reebok deal bringing them in line with the NFL and other major sports organizations. While the realities of that statement are dubious, it’s clear the UFC wanted viewers to leave with that “fact” as a key takeaway.
But would an NFL team sign CM Punk as a QB just because he might draw ratings and sell tickets? Hell, NFL teams wouldn’t even sign perennial attention-getter Tim Tebow who’s an actual football player. And as Bleacher Report‘s Jonathan Snowden pointed out, even Michael Jordan had to start in the minor leagues when he wanted to play baseball.
The NFL, NBA, or any other big league would never sign a 36-year-old with zero sports background just for attention and a bit of quick cash. These organizations care about legitimacy or at least the illusion of legitimacy. They want to convey class and prestige. They’re athletic contests, not Dancing with the Stars.
By signing CM Punk, the UFC admitted they are an entertainment company first and a sport second. While this has arguably been true since day one, they’ve never gone out of their way to make it so apparent before.
Signing CM Punk does not diminish the UFC’s credibility because they never had any
The response to the above take is that the UFC was never credible, so signing CM Punk is fine. There’s a bit of truth here.
Tell me, when was the UFC a credible sports league that never dabbled (or outright prioritized) entertainment over athleticism? Was it when we had Art Jimmerson fighting with one boxing glove on? Was it when Kimo walked out to the cage bearing a crucifix? Was it when Cabbage fought Tank Abbott? Was it when Kimbo Slice starred in a season of The Ultimate Fighter? Was it when the UFC signed James Toney?
The UFC was never a paragon of athletic virtue. And while the company might be married to sports now, entertainment is a frequent mistress.
This isn’t a modern development. It’s just that now people like complaining about it. Nobody whined when their favorite Pride stars murdered Japanese pro wrestlers. So why get angry about CM Punk?
CM Punk is the savior of the UFC
This is a super-controversial opinion despite loads of data supporting it, but the UFC isn’t doing so well these days. In fact, you could go as far as saying the UFC is doing badly.
Now, I’m sure after reading that a portion of you have jumped down to the comments to write “Y U HATE MMA, CAGEPOTATO!!!11????” If you’re still here though, you’re a reasonable human being who will reach reasonable conclusions upon hearing about the UFC’s business woes. The UFC’s profit dropped 40% this year, and Standard & Poor’s might downgrade Zuffa’s debt for a second time come 2015. PPV numbers are in sharp decline and TV ratings aren’tdoingmuch better.
Signing CM Punk represents a glimmer of hope (or desperation, depending on your viewpoint). Punk will draw PPV buys. Maybe not as many as Brock Lesnar or Georges St-Pierre, but certainly more than the current stock of “big” names on the UFC’s roster.
That can only be a good thing, right? Yes and no. It’s good if the people this publicity stunt attracts ultimately become fans and go on to buy PPVs featuring people other than CM Punk. It’s bad if CM Punk does one or two PPVs, leaves, and brings all the hype and eyeballs along with him. If that happens, the UFC will have humiliated themselves for a little bit of easy money.
Bellator is the new UFC
A white hot take, but perhaps one with an atom of quasi-truth to it (or maybe like a quark of quasi-truth).
Last month, Bellator signed Aaron Pico — an 18-year-old wrestling wunderkind with an amateur boxing background as well. Of course, when you point out anything positive about Bellator people will scream “ORTIZ VS. BONNAR! ORTIZ VS. BONNAR!! ORTIZ VS. BONNAR!!!”
And that’s fair. Bellator is engaged in its share of ridiculous pro wrestling chicanery. Yeah, Bellator is adding disgraced UFC has-beens like Stephan Bonnar to its stable of fighters. However, the Pico signing indicates they’re bringing in guys like Bonnar just to add some (fading) name value to a card filled with serious prospects like Pico.
Meanwhile, the UFC signed CM Punk. CM Punk is a “fighter” who is all name and no substance — in other words, the complete opposite of Pico.
Of course, Bellator has their own pro wrestler in Bobby Lashley, but he at least had an athletic background and was more than an MMA fan with time and money to kill, looking to cross something off his bucket list.
CM Punk is the new Brock Lesnar
This comparison fails once you go beyond the fact that they’re both pro wrestlers.
Yeah, they both were WWE champions at one time. That’s it. They don’t have anything else in common, at least athletically speaking. Brock Lesnar was an accomplished amateur wrestler and a tremendous athlete. CM Punk is a 36-year-old BJJ hobbyist with an injury-addled body and zero competitive athletic background. His career arc in the UFC will not mirror Lesnar’s in any way, save for maybe ending with an ass-kicking and jumping ship back to WWE.
This might sound unnecessarily harsh but comparing the two men insults one and falsely inflates another.
Can Punk be the new Lesnar in terms of PPV buys though?
Maybe. Part of Lesnar’s allure is that in addition to being a genetic freak (and a pro wrestler), he actually had skill enough to win a title. Punk does not have that and never will.
So what do we make of CM Punk, UFC Fighter?
CM Punk is a professional wrestler and BJJ weekend warrior who has the spare time and spare change to take an MMA fight. The UFC is happy to broadcast that fight for PPV dollars. This hurts the UFC’s image, but there wasn’t really much of an image to hurt. MMA has always been a circus act masquerading as a real sport, and now we have a real-life pro wrestling carnie to add to MMA’s menagerie of characters. What’s so bad about that?
