On April 15 at Bellator 277 in San Jose, California, Aaron Pico extended his winning run to six with a stoppage victory against Adli Edwards 55 seconds into the third round.
Most people look forward to the period after when they can relax, take a break, and enjoy the things in life that a fighter in training doesn’t have time for. The problem is that Pico never intended for it to happen.
He raced a half-marathon not long after his victory against Edwards. And he kept up what he calls “a ridiculous strength and conditioning routine,” which has left him in “crazy excellent form.”
MMA fighters are among the world’s most physically fit people because of the demanding nature of the sport, but Pico is among the best of the best.
Last week he shared an Instagram selfie of himself in which he appeared like he was training for a triathlon or a bodybuilding competition. The only thing we know for sure is that he looked fantastic.
Not Everyone Can or Should Lift Large Weights
He knows his regimen of half-marathons, triathlons, and heavy weightlifting isn’t for everyone, but he feels prepared for whatever challenge an MMA match would provide.
This weekend, Pico fights Jeremy Kennedy in the main event of Bellator 286 at Long Beach Arena in Long Beach, California. “The lifestyle outside of [fighting] keeps me extremely disciplined on my nutrition,” he stated. “That, in my opinion, is the most crucial aspect.
Many boxers, I believe, completely lose control of themselves in the aftermath of a bout. The reverse describes me. That’s not to my taste. Not only is it unhealthy, but you also look awful doing it.
I plan to maintain my fitness level and eventually win a global championship. My theory is that when I’m not engaged in combat, it helps me maintain my level of concentration and mental acuity.”
He is committed to his training regimen because he wants to fight for a long time and earn as much money as possible from this hardest of sports.
He was signed to a futures contract by Bellator in 2014 when he was just beyond his 18th birthday, and he is now starting to demonstrate why. With his stellar credentials in boxing and wrestling, he was heralded as the next great thing in mixed martial arts.
Pico has been in the game for almost five years without a crack at the crown. If he wins this weekend against Kennedy, he will likely challenge for the Bellator featherweight championship in his following bout.
Even though he faced immense pressure early in his career, he rose to the challenge. However, his inexperience in the sport ultimately led to his defeat.
Many Assumed That One Must Be a World-Class Boxer
For a boxer, Pico’s 10-3 record is excellent, but for those who had high hopes for him before his debut, it’s a letdown. Some people believed that being a top-tier boxer and wrestler, he would easily defeat his opponents and win the title.
Even though Pico is a highly certain athlete, he has never had that conviction. Even in 2017, he understood how difficult MMA is, and taking on the kind of competition he accomplished so early on was a huge assignment.
He made his debut on June 24, 2017, against Zach Freeman, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. At the time of his match with Pico, Freeman had an 8-2 record and had previously competed for the LFA lightweight championship.
Freeman knocked Pico out in 24 seconds, and almost immediately, everyone who had praised Pico for his many talents began trash-telling him. It may seem overwhelming, but he has trained himself to ignore it.
Although his 4-3 record in his first five MMA bouts may have led some to write him off, he certainly didn’t. When asked about the possibility of being seen as a failure, he answered, “To be honest with you, I’ve never really thought about it.”
I’ve been honing my martial arts skills by accepting whatever bouts have been offered to me. That’s the most significant development. No event has ever made me feel like “Oh, I was a failure.”
I had a constant, positive sense of well-being and persuaded myself I just needed more time to mature and find my footing. My relationship with my coaches is strong and productive at the moment.
MMA Fighters Encounter Brutality from Fans
Everything seems to be coming into place, and I feel like I’m only one fight away from a championship.
In the end, MMA fans can be cruel to competitors. The truth is, they have no idea what they’re doing, despite their confidence.
I don’t give a hoot about what other people think about my professional trajectory. I was coached by some of the greatest in the business even when I was 1-4. Greg Jackson predicted that I would become “one of the best boxers of our time” even back then. Simply put, I put my faith in them.
Yes, I do believe they are correct, but I must now go out and demonstrate this for myself. He claimed that not a single training partner had been able to last three rounds against him.
He’s a young veteran who’s already soaked up a lot of knowledge about the sport and has plenty of space to develop. He’s not content with being second best, so he trains as hard as he can to achieve the highest possible level of success.
But Pico put it, “I always train my f***ing ass off,” thus whatever fight he’s been in has been treated as seriously as a battle for the world title.
Finishing Line
This battle, like every other, will be fought with the same dedication and professionalism that I have always shown. Sometimes I feel great, and sometimes I don’t, but regardless, everything in my life makes perfect sense right now.
Everyone who is struggling to keep up with me is their issue, not mine. Winning is something I have no problem admitting.
I make no apologies for the manner that I eat or the fact that I always make sure to have enough sleep and healthy food. Money and time are needed in large amounts to compete at the highest levels.
People think I’m insane because I value my time so much, and they’re right. I won’t apologize for doing all in my power to achieve my goal of leaving a lasting legacy in mixed martial arts.
