Aaron Pico vs. Zach Freeman set for Bellator: NYC pay-per-view at MSG

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TheEmperorRises

TheEmperorRises

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Bellator MMA has finalized the pay-per-view lineup for it’s upcoming Madison Square Garden debut in June, and it will showcase one of the brightest young prospects in the sport.

The fifth — and final — Bellator: NYC main card fight will feature 20-year-old Aaron Pico making his MMA debut against Zach Freeman (8-2) in a lightweight bout, MMA Fighting has learned.

Pico, a former FILA Cadet (17-and-under) world and national champion wrestler, as well as a former Golden Gloves amateur boxing champion, signed with the promotion in November 2014.

He delayed his MMA debut to try out for the 2016 United States Olympic freestyle wrestling team last year, and while Pico fell just short of doing so, he attempted to become the first teenager to earn a spot on the team in 40 years.

Members of the American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, Calif., where Pico trains, have been raving about Pico since he began training in MMA. Bellator president Scott Coker also sung his praises after signing him two and a half years ago.

"Simply put, Aaron has all the makings of MMA's next great superstar, and to have him here at Bellator is something special," Coker stated in a press release. "Like many of us in the MMA community, Aaron is someone we've been watching closely over the last few years, and after sitting down with (AKA coach) Bob Cook and his team, getting a chance to meet Aaron, and hearing his long-term aspirations, the fit became very obvious.”

Full story here:
Aaron Pico vs. Zach Freeman set for Bellator: NYC pay-per-view at MSG
 
stielar

stielar

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Dec 30, 2015
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Bellator's dream night:

Pico looks like an extra terrestial and demolishes his opponent, showcasing both his stand-up and wrestling skills.
Fedor brettrogers Mitrione's head outside msg and past the statue of liberty.
Larkin and Lima have a stand-up battle for the ages.
Chael and Wand have a war, and either a bloody Chael submits Wanderlei in the last round or a bloody Wanderlei knocks out Chael.

Bellator's nightmare:

Pico gets obliterated in the first round.
Mitrione Bigfoots Fedor and stops him in the first round.
Larkin and Lima have some weird stoppage due to a ref mistake, a la Mousasi - Weidman.
Chael and Wanderlei look sloppy and old, they gas pretty fast and go to a boring decision.

I sure am hoping for the dream night variant.

P.S. The fact that Pico is upgraded to the main event, tells me the negotiations with Mousasi might not be going that well.
 
ECC170

ECC170

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Damn they are building ruth and fortune slowly.. this kid must be hurting ppl @aka
 
Wild

Wild

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FYI everyone, he's still all-in on his Q&A with us. Just focusing so much of time on training and traveling that it's been tough to sit down & give it the attention he wants to. He and I are in touch, and it will get done.
 
Wild

Wild

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He was an OT point away from making the Olympic team at like 18-19 years old right?
 
Priziesthorse

Priziesthorse

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TheOutsiders said:
i dont know shit about wrestling (unless we are talking shawn michaels) but ive gained some interest in this pico hype....so naturally im curious as to why you feel this way?
Click to expand...
Don't get me wrong. He's obviously a great wrestler. But the way people talk about him you'd think he'd be one of the best wrestlers in the world, or best wrestler in the country, or best wrestler at his weight in the country. He's none of those things. He skipped college and has been competing on the international scene the past 3 years. His best accomplishments have been on the junior level. When it comes to the senior level, he's never placed in a major tournament like the worlds or pan american championships. I'm pretty sure he's never actually qualified to ever compete in those tournies. He did have 1 good tournament last year and made it to the finals of the US Olympic trials, but that's it.

There have been plenty of more talented wrestlers compete in mma. Bellator's Darrion Caldwell and Ed Ruth are better wrestlers than Pico.
 
Clappin'Daddys

Clappin'Daddys

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Sep 9, 2015
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stielar said:
Bellator's dream night:

Pico looks like an extra terrestial and demolishes his opponent, showcasing both his stand-up and wrestling skills.
Fedor brettrogers Mitrione's head outside msg and past the statue of liberty.
Larkin and Lima have a stand-up battle for the ages.
Chael and Wand have a war, and either a bloody Chael submits Wanderlei in the last round or a bloody Wanderlei knocks out Chael.

Bellator's nightmare:

Pico gets obliterated in the first round.
Mitrione Bigfoots Fedor and stops him in the first round.
Larkin and Lima have some weird stoppage due to a ref mistake, a la Mousasi - Weidman.
Chael and Wanderlei look sloppy and old, they gas pretty fast and go to a boring decision.

I sure am hoping for the dream night variant.

P.S. The fact that Pico is upgraded to the main event, tells me the negotiations with Mousasi might not be going that well.
Click to expand...
Why do u say that? Mousasi is still restricted. Unless I mean negotiations with the UFC?
 
Clappin'Daddys

Clappin'Daddys

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This is seriously a tough fight for someone making their debut. Very curious in this event.

Unlike the other wrestlers, pico has been training mma since youth, he doesn't need as much time to develop as these other fighters. A former title challenger is a tough task though.

Will probably buy this card


Anyone lnownif face and busters will have the spike and ppv portions? They are an official sponsor, so having the ppv should be something they should be getting for free
 
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