Aaron Pico has stated he wants to face either Movsar Evloev or Lerone Murphy in his next bout. Pico mentioned that a previously scheduled fight with Evloev did not materialize because Evloev fell ill, and he wishes Evloev well. Pico also expressed interest in a rematch with Lerone Murphy, stating he believes he won their previous encounter. The post suggests it may be too early for the Evloev matchup, but a Murphy rematch could be viable.
Aaron Pico is publicly lobbying for a high-profile featherweight showdown, naming either Movsar Evloev or Lerone Murphy as his preferred next opponent following a stretch of scheduling frustration.
Pico, 29, carries a 14-5 record and trains out of Jackson-Wink MMA in Albuquerque. The American stands five-foot-eight with a 70-inch reach and has built a reputation as one of the division's most dangerous wrestlers, averaging a remarkable 8.96 takedowns per 15 minutes. He lands 3.88 significant strikes per minute at 44 percent accuracy, blending grappling dominance with respectable stand-up output.
One of his two targets, Evloev, is the top-ranked featherweight contender and remains the division's last unbeaten fighter at 20-0. The 32-year-old Russian, who trains at American Top Team, stands five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach and averages 4.78 takedowns per 15 minutes of his own, making him a natural stylistic puzzle for Pico. Pico revealed that a previously booked matchup between the two fell apart after Evloev fell ill, and he wished his would-be opponent well in his comments.
Murphy, ranked second in the featherweight division at 17-1-1, represents the other option — and the more personal one. The 34-year-old Englishman from Manchester Top Team stands five-foot-nine with a 73-inch reach and lands 4.34 significant strikes per minute at 51 percent accuracy, making him one of the cleaner volume strikers in the weight class. Pico stated he believes he won their first meeting and wants the chance to settle the matter.
Why it matters
- Evloev is the featherweight's top-ranked contender and undefeated; a win over him would immediately thrust Pico into title conversation
- Murphy sits at number two in the division, and a rematch carries the narrative weight of a disputed prior result
- Both potential bouts pit Pico's elite wrestling against opponents who each average significant takedown activity of their own, promising competitive grappling exchanges
