Aaron Pico has stated he wants to fight either Movsar Evloev or Lerone Murphy in his next bout. Pico mentioned that a previously scheduled fight with Evloev did not materialize because the Russian fighter became ill, but he wishes Evloev well and would still like to compete against him. Pico also expressed interest in a rematch with Lerone Murphy, claiming he believes he was winning their previous encounter. The post commentary suggests it may be premature for Pico to target these opponents, but indicates that a rematch with Murphy could be feasible.
Aaron Pico has publicly called out two of the featherweight division's top contenders, stating he wants his next fight to be against either Movsar Evloev or Lerone Murphy.
Pico, 29, competes out of Jackson-Wink MMA and carries a 14-5 record. Standing five-foot-eight with a 70-inch reach, the American is a relentless grappler who averages an extraordinary 8.96 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him one of the more wrestling-heavy fighters in the division. He lands 3.88 significant strikes per minute at a 44 percent accuracy rate.
Evloev sits at number one in the featherweight rankings and remains the division's last unbeaten fighter, holding a flawless 20-0 record. The 32-year-old Russian, who trains out of American Top Team, stands five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach and averages 4.78 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 3.91 significant strikes per minute. Pico noted that a previously scheduled contest between the two fell apart after Evloev fell ill, but said he still wants to make that fight happen and wished the Russian well.
Murphy, ranked second at featherweight, brings a 17-1-1 record into the picture. The 34-year-old from England, known as The Miracle, trains with Manchester Top Team and is one of the division's most active strikers, landing 4.34 significant strikes per minute at an impressive 51 percent accuracy rate. Pico expressed a belief that he was ahead on the scorecards in their first meeting and wants a second crack at Murphy.
Why it matters
- Evloev is the top-ranked featherweight contender and a win over him would vault Pico directly into title contention
- A rematch with Murphy, the number-two ranked contender, carries similarly massive divisional stakes for both men
- Pico's elite takedown volume against the striking-heavy styles of both Evloev and Murphy sets up a classic wrestler-versus-striker dynamic on either path
- Commentary around the callout suggests a Pico-Murphy rematch is the more realistic of the two matchups to materialize in the near term
