A UFC newcomer claims that he has better hands than Ilia Topuria.
Of course we are not just talking about debutant from the regional scene – this is Aaron Pico.
The 28-year-old Bellator-star is the latest signing of the UFC and has the CV-CV outside the Octagon. Pico is a former golden gloves amateur boxing champion and medal winner in Freestyle struggles with a 13-4 Pro MMA record.
Pico started to struggle at the age of 4 and hit his first boxing glove at 10.
In 2017, Pico was considered 'the biggest prospect in the MMA history' before he lost his pro -debut in 24 seconds to Zach Freeman. Down but not out, Pico bounced back with four first round knockouts in a row and built his star in Bellator.
Eight years later, Pico is part of the UFC -Fedweight Division after a split with the PFL. The UFC matchmakers already tried to give the #4-ranged competitor Movsar Evloev, but it didn't help.
Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty images
Aaron Pico thinks he could be a UFC champion next year
With the UFC that Pico wanted to throw in the deep end of the swimming pool, the Blue-Chip front view was asked how quickly we could see him fight for the world title.
The vacant belt of featherweight is for the taking in the UFC 314 Main Event between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes this weekend.
“I think I could be the champion within a year,” Pico said on Friday on a UFC Q&A.
“I know that is a daring prediction, but I really feel it,” Pico continued.
All fights from Pico have come under the Bellator and PFL banners. The Knock outpartist has slept opponents with 7x or 8x more MMA experience than he did. After two, Pico's victories have come in the distance.
Aaron Pico thinks his boxing levels are above Ilia Topuria
His Bellator height Reel One to watch, Pico believes that he owns better boxing skills than UFC Vederweight champion Ilia Topuria, who is struggling of a similar background from a young age before he turns into boxing.
“Ask the Freddie Roach,” Pico referred to the legendary boxing coach.
'Ask Miguel Cotto. Ask Jose Ramirez, Ryan Garcia …
“They all know that I can box,” said Pico.
“Topuria really has, really good hands, but I don't think it's at my level if I'm just completely honest …”
“I think I can become champions in a year … Topuria has good hands, but I don't think it's at my level.”
Aaron Pico feels very confident for his UFC debut! pic.twitter.com/tlwdlzlmgy
– UFC (@UFC) April 11, 2025
View tweet
Ilia Topuria was soon recognized as one of the best boxers in the UFC, if not the best, for his brutal knockouts of former champions Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway.
Holloway played for a long time, he was the best boxer of the promotion, that is, before the Hawaiian tasted his first KO defeat to Topuria on UFC 308.
Topuria and Pico are now in separate weight classes Topuria has moved to the lightweight division, but who knows? Perhaps a fight between the two is not so far from reality, especially when Aaron Pico is who he says he is.
In contrast to Diego Lopes on the Mexican scene, Pico did not beat UFC veterans during his time in Bellator. The last loss of Pico is for former UFC hunter Jeremy Kennedy, by shoulder injury, who defeated Patricio Pitbull in his last Bellator fight.
Pico suffered a few annoying Ko -losing his professional career early, but he bounced back from them as if they were nothing.