This coming Saturday at Bellator 299 featherweight standout Aaron Pico will fight on international soil for the first time in his six year career.
Just two fights ago, Pico (11-4) suffered a fight ending injury to his shoulder which further required surgery, and since then has came back with a win against James Gonzalez. His opponent this time out though is the experienced vet Pedro Carvalho.
The Portuguese fighter trains out of SBG Ireland and is somewhat being looked at as the hometown fighter as he has become quite the fan favourites on the Emerald Isles. This will mark Carvalho’s fourth fight in Dublin during his Bellator tenure.
Despite Carvalho being the fan favourite and the adopted hometown fighter, Pico said during the Bellator 299 media day that the fans nor his coaches can fight for him and he isn’t fazed by being the international fighter. “I haven’t ever done this in my career [fought internationally] as far as in MMA of course in wrestling I’ve been all over the world but I think as an MMA fighter it’s good for my development because I’m sure in the future I’m going to be in peoples backyards fighting and they always say the Irish are some of the best fans in the world and I want the opportunity to put on a show in front of them.
“The fans can’t fight for him, his coaches can’t fight for him so it doesn’t make a difference, It’s only me and him locked in there.”
Despite having suffered a bad dislocation to his shoulder at the end of last year, Pico believes that with his bounce back win over Gonzalez, he’s in a ‘perfect’ position in his career.
“I think where I’m at in my career is perfect. I’ve accepted all challenges in my fighting career and I’m one fight away from fighting for a title. I’m not going to put emotional value on that I just have to get through Pedro and you guys will see a new Bellator champion very soon.”
Check out the full Bellator 299 media day involving Aaron Pico above.
