Aaron Pico is just as prepared for what will come after a victory over UFC 319 as he is for the fight itself.
Before Khamzat Chimaev Drus Du Plessis challenges the middleweight title in the main event, Saturday UFC 319 Pay-per-View line-up in the United Center of Chicago has a number of other exciting matchups.
This includes the Late-Notice Co-Headliner, which will welcome Lerone Murphy Pico to the UFC after his rise to familiarize the Bellator MMA banner.
The decorated wrestler wants to make a splash in an octagon debut that he has long desired. And more than just the fight itself, Pico has presented another part of the UFC experience …
UFC 319 Debutant Aaron Pico has practiced his octagonal interview with Joe Rogan
Pico spent his entire MMA career from 2017 to 2023 in Bellator and participated 16 times in the promotion that has now been destroyed. After an outing in the PFL, the 28-year-old joined the lappy mix and Patricio Pitbull in Springschip to the UFC.
While the event on Saturday marks his first fight under his new banner, Pico has prepared himself at the moment his entire life – and that includes his first interview with commentator Joe Rogan.
“I did not have an easy way to get here,” Pico ESPN MMA said with regard to his arrival of UFC 319. “Opening was never an option.
“I don't consider this a matter of course. I really want to set up a good show and become a world champion.
“After I had taken a hard loss, people asked me all the time:” How did you continue? “Pico continued. “A big thing is that I would go to the gas station, get a cup of coffee … just drive, play my favorite songs and practice my interviews after fighting with Joe Rogan.
“I would do it over and over again. I honestly did it a thousand times. Sometimes the interview would continue for 45 minutes after the fight. That really kept me going.”
To use his practice well, Pico Murphy's undefeated run in MMA must first end. From there, an interview with Rogan and a potential immediate shot could wait for UFC title Glory.
Aaron Pico draws fiery reaction from Alexander Volkanovski prior to his UFC debut
He may not have won a fight in the UFC yet, but Pico has not prevented that to proclaim his benefits compared to Volkanovski. The newcomer appeared on the head of Fox Sports and went so far that he predicts that he would hit the current featherweight king.
Those comments rarely gained waste from the Australian, while Volkanovski shot back on Pico by promising “mopping the floor with him” when their matchup flourished.
“You have to think so. That's fine,” said Volkanovski about Pico's comments. “Everyone has the chance of a puncher.
“He is an all-American wrestler, but I will now tell you, what is the bet if we were struggling, I would embarrass him there. Many people want to be from:” I did this, I did that, “as if I didn't confront them with them in the gym. I really kept very much harder than him, and I trust myself.
“He must have that confidence, right?” Volkanovski continued. “I'm not really going to take it seriously until he goes and show me something. You have done things in your other promotions … Come here, do it here, and okay, I'll look at it more.
“He only has the chance of a puncher, I will leave it at that … I think I would be honest – it fascinates me because I think I would crumble him in the wrestling department … I mop the floor with him.”