Controversy sparks as former prospect urges Gable Steveson to “speak up” ahead of UFC debut

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Aaron Pico understands what it’s like to enter the sport with huge expectations.

Even though he has just three MMA fights, the hype around what Gable Steveson could become at heavyweight is already huge.

Steveson is set to make his UFC debut in Las Vegas next month, and there will be plenty of pressure on him to deliver.

Pico, who went through a similar spotlight early in his own career, has shared some advice he’d give the Olympic gold medallist.

Pico stresses the importance of Gable Steveson having his say over career choices

Gable Steveson’s transition into MMA has been heavily influenced by his close ties to Jon Jones, not only training alongside him but also working within the same coaching network that guided Jones throughout his career.

Aaron Pico, who currently competes in the UFC featherweight division, has also spent time with many of those same coaches.

When Pico stepped into the cage for his professional debut in 2017 at Madison Square Garden, he was already signed to Bellator and backed by a multi-year endorsement deal with Nike. This followed an impressive stint in both wrestling and boxing before turning pro.

Pico is set to return to his wrestling roots when he makes his RAF debut later today against Lance Palmer in St. Louis, Missouri.

Speaking to Bloody Elbow, Pico shared some advice for Steveson, having dealt with similar pressure early in his own career.

“The biggest advice I’d give to him is just train hard, listen to your coaches and speak up when something doesn’t feel right,” Pico said. “But, Gable’s a champion and I mean, there’s no doubt I believe he can be a UFC champion. He already won the Olympics, so he has a very good mindset.”

Pico’s path hasn’t been without setbacks either. He lost both his MMA and UFC debuts under the weight of significant expectations placed on him early on.

Similar situations have unfolded elsewhere, too. Last year in the UFC, Bo Nickal’s coach spoke out about concerns over how quickly Nickal was being pushed before suffering his first professional loss.