Former Bellator -Superster Aaron Pico received a new booking for his Hyped UFC debut against one of the best featherweights.
UFC 319 has only been removed for a few weeks, since UFC Middleweight Champion Dric Du Plessis is preparing for Khamzat Chimaev in the main event. This will demonstrably be the most difficult test of the middleweight title of Du Plessis against the unbeaten Chimaev.
Before du plessis vs. Chimaev contains UFC 319 many intriguing battles, including the return of Welterweight Ster Carlos Prates to the Octagon and Michael 'Venom' Page's Middle Efficiency Comeback against Jared Cannonier. Last weekend during the UFC 318 broadcast, the UFC 319 head card was shown with a curious' TBA vs. TBA 'caption in the Co-Main Event Slot.
Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC
AARON PICO STARS in New UFC 319 Co-Main Event Against Streaking Federweight candidate
Enter Aaron Pico in the conversation, after Pico should be confronted with undefeated featherweight Movsar EVLOEV in a long-awaited Co-Main event fight on UFC Abu Dhabi. But weeks before the event, Evloev withdrew due to an injury and a timeline for the talented Russian return remains uncertain.
Pico, one of the biggest signing sessions of the 2025 signing, was not again planned for UFC Abu Dhabi and did not -booked for his first performance in the Octagon. But Pico received good news during the UFC Abu Dhabi broadcast.
As announced by Play-by-Play broadcaster John Goooden during the UFC Abu Dhabi head map, Pico will be confronted with the British star Lerone Murphy in the new UFC 319 Co-Main event. The competition will be a three-rounder in the Feather Waard Division of the UFC.
Murphy serves as a minimal step in the competition for Pico in his UFC debut. Unbeaten in his professional MMA career, Murphy has not fought anymore since he defeated Josh Emmett through a unanimous decision in April.
Murphy has won victories on Dan Ige and Edson Barboza during his UFC office period. He is demonstrably one victory removed from a potentially featherweight title shot in the midst of his current Win -Streak.
In the meantime, Pico is given the opportunity to not only give Murphy his defeat of the first career, but also to make a strong case for a title shot of featherweight. Pico has not fought anymore since his Bellator/PFL final against Henry Corrales last year at PFL: Battle of the Giants.
Pico vs. Murphy was announced, just a few weeks after Du Plessis claimed that the UFC was planning Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett can be booked for the UFC 319 Co-Main. Pimblett quickly concluded the claims of Du Plessis and Gaethje is not interested in a Pimblett matchup.
Aaron Pico vs. Lerone Murphy -winner can argue for the title shot in the midst of Movsar Evloev's Absence
As far as the next one is for EVLOEV, a timeline for his UFC recovery is uncertain because the undefeated competition continues to plead his plea for a title shot of featherweight. UFC Vederweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski is expected to make the first title defense of his second reign later this year.
Evloev has not participated since the beating of the former UFC title holder Aljamain Sterling on UFC 310 in December. He has won recent victories over Arnold Allen and Diego Lopes.
UFC 319 marks the long -awaited return of the promotion to Chicago, Illinois on August 16.