Aaron Pico’s UFC debut was memorable for all the wrong reasons.
Long considered one of the best featherweights in the world, the former Bellator and PFL star stepped inside the UFC 319 octagon and intervened in a clash with undefeated division standout Lerown Murphy. Pico entered the match as a modest favorite, but it was Murphy who turned the script over.
KO caused total chaos among the crowd, but in the evening, UFC Hall of Fame commentator Daniel Cormier responded clearly differently to the viral finish.
“It was a bad knockout,” Cormier said following Saturday’s event. “His teeth were clenched together. They couldn’t put out their mouth guards. That’s a very concern for Aaron Pico. He’s been knocked out many times now and when he was knocked out, he was knocked out really badly.
“So, I’m a bit worried about the Pico side, but the hat headed towards Lerown Murphy and came to the biggest place ever.”
Is the UFC title the next shot from Lerown Murphy?
The victory helped Murphy improve his overall record to 17-0-1, possibly facing pole position for a shot at title holder for the featherweight governance division, Alexander Volkanovsky.
Of course, top-ranked competitor Movsar Evloev may have something to say about it, but the UFC is known for hitting while the iron is hot.