Bellator 222 features a mix of the promotion’s legends, stars, and top prospects. Aaron Pico will now join that list of prospects on the MSG card against Adam Borics.
ESPN’s Marc Raimondi first reported the addition to Bellator 222.
Aaron Pico is looking to bounce back from the second loss in his career when he takes on undefeated Hungarian Adam Borics.
Aaron Pico was highly-touted before even starting his MMA career. The Californian won US junior titles in three wrestling disciplines and pursued the Olympics in 2016 as a 19-year-old in lieu of college wrestling. Pico reached the finals of the US Olympics Trials that year, but was defeated by Frank Molinaro, a former Division I champion who is eight years older than Pico. In addition to his wrestling prowess, the featherweight was both a Junior Golden Gloves champion and a European Pankration Champion.
Pico’s MMA debut went the wrong way, as he was submitted in just 24 seconds by Zach Freeman at Bellator 180. He then rattled off four straight knockouts before getting a step up in competition against Henry Corrales. Corrales knocked out Pico after getting knocked down himself, slowing the rise of the top prospect.
Adam Borics started his career off at 9-0 with four submissions and a knockout before signing with Bellator. He’s been nothing but impressive since then. The Hungarian won by first-round rear-naked choke in his promotional debut, followed by a flying knee KO. His last fight took place in September, where he won by third-round rear-naked choke.
Bellator 222 takes place on June 14 from the World’s Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden in New York City. The main event is between legends Chael Sonnen and Lyoto Machida. Two titles are on the line, with Rory MacDonald taking on Neiman Gracie for the welterweight belt in the Grand Prix, and Darrion Caldwell defending his bantamweight title against RIZIN’s Kyoji Horiguchi.
