Aaron Pico speaks out on reasons for declining a potential bout with Patricio ‘Pitbull’

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Aaron Pico does not want to revisit the past right now, at least not with one former Bellator champion.

The featherweight prospect is set for the UFC 319 co-main event against Lerone Murphy, potentially determining the next title challenger.

Pico, who signed with the promotion earlier this year after a long run in Bellator, is already thinking about a potential path to the title. He never managed to claim gold in his previous organisation but has made it clear that winning a UFC belt is now his top priority.

While preparing for UFC 319, Pico has also kept an eye on familiar faces from Bellator. Patricio ‘Pitbull’ Freire, who joined the UFC earlier this year and has split his first two fights, recently called out Pico to settle their unfinished business.

Why Aaron Pico is not interested in facing Patricio ‘Pitbull’ after UFC 318 callout

Pico has no interest in fighting Pitbull, regardless of the outcome in Chicago this weekend, despite Pitbull’s recent challenges.

In a conversation with CBS Sports‘ Shakiel Mahjouri, Pico addressed Pitbull’s most recent challenge following UFC 318.

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“I saw his first fight live, didn’t watch his last one…I’m not really interested in [fighting him],” Pico said.

“He had many opportunities to fight me in Bellator and I asked to fight him for a whole year straight, and for some reason it never happened. I’m very happy that it didn’t because I beat Patricio ‘Pitbull’, I win the championship, and I’m locked in [in the PFL].

“He had every opportunity to fight me but then now he’s saying ‘Oh I want to fight him, I want to fight him’, but we’re just completely different right now. I’m not focused on him, I’m focused on fighting for the championship.”

Pico was originally scheduled to face Movsar Evloev at UFC Abu Dhabi earlier this year, but Evloev pulled out due to injury. There is still no update on when the undefeated featherweight will next compete.

A win over Murphy could put Pico next in line for a shot at Alexander Volkanovski’s title. Meanwhile, Pitbull recently picked up his first UFC victory over Dan Ige at UFC 318, breaking into the Top 15 rankings.