Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: MMA, UFC, Dana White, Bellator
Ben McCrum
A top MMA fighter that UFC boss Dana White once admitted he was definitely interested in is now a free agent.
Having established itself as the top MMA organisation in the world, the UFC has hosted the very best fighters ever to step inside the octagon.
The likes of Jon Jones, Georges St-Pierre and Khabib Nurmagomedov all enjoyed highly successful careers in the UFC, having impressed White and other UFC officials early in their careers, earning a shot in the organisation.
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And now, another highly-rated young fighter might be offered the same opportunity, as White has admitted he is interested in signing a fighter once tipped as the best prospect in the sport.
Not so long ago, American mixed martial artist Aaron Pico was seen as the best up and coming fighter on the planet, with many likening his achievements in both boxing and wrestling, where he won a silver Olympic medal, to UFC great Jones.
However, much of the hype surrounding the young talent disappeared after he lost his MMA debut against Zach Freeman in the stacked Bellator 180 card the featured names like Michael Chandler and Chael Sonnen.
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Pico went on to enjoy a relatively successful career in the organisation and now holds a professional record of 13-4, with only one loss in his last 10 fights.
After Bellator was acquired, and later dissolved, by the PFL, a rival organisation, popular MMA journalist John Morgan has revealed that the 28-year-old is now officially a free agent.
This leaves the door open for Pico to finally make the move over to the UFC and, after Mike Bohn confirmed that White had shown an interest in signing the American last month, it feels like a matter of time until we see Pico make his UFC debut.
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Posting on X, Bohn confirmed: "Aaron Pico can now field all fight offers after news of his looming free agent status from PFL arose in December, his manager Ali Abdelaziz tells me.
"UFC CEO Dana White said in January that his team was 'definitely' interested in Pico when I asked about a potential signing."
Furthermore, White himself has revealed that the UFC are looking at the possibility of signing the young talent, confirming the news ahead of UFC 311 last month.
When asked if Pico could join the UFC, White confidently said: "I definitely know the boys are interested in him."