Patricio Pitbull and Aaron Pico closed out the UFC 327 preliminary card in one of the most anticipated Bellator MMA match-ups in years.
Of course, with Bellator acquired by the PFL and mothballed, it was coming inside the UFC octagon rather than the Bellator cage, but what once would have been a featherweight title fight was finally arriving nonetheless.
Pico was lighter and more mobile early, flashing a punch and high kick that both fell short. A jab may have grazed Pitbull; he fired one back to the body moments later, taking a more reserved approach.
After eating a Pitbull punch or two on the way in, Pico finally shot for his first takedown, which the former Bellator champ fought off. A Pitbull leg kick clearly hurt Pico after that, while Pico nearly pounced on a slip by Patricio Freire. Another low kick from Pitbull landed, again tripping him up for a moment. The next takedown for Pico, however, was perfectly timed as he ducked down into a double-leg and landed it. Plenty of time on the clock but Pitbull found room to scramble out and get to the fence, with Pico still on him with a bodylock.
Back at range, Pico landed a combo. Pico was finding success with his hooks, and Pitbull chose to switch to southpaw, leading to a wild exchange where the pair spun around. Pico came out of that with a small cut on the nose, but was otherwise no worse for the wear.
More looping hbooks landed for Pico early in round two. The shorter Pitbull, meanwhile, hit air in response. Pick then doubled up, and landed a third punch, an uppercut, in a smart little combo. Then came a level change, with Pico landing a takedown only for Pitbull to pop straight back up to his feet. Pico landed a left hand off the break. A low kick from Pitbull landed, those being his best weapon through the first half of the fight. Pico answered with a combo. Moments later, he rocked Pitbull, who stumbled backwards. Several Pico jabs split the guard.
Pico went high with a kick that missed, then touched the outside of the leg in the final minute. Pitbull’s face was showing damage. Another Pico right hand stunned Pitbull; a takedown landed moments later, allowing Pico to land a handful of elbows.
Round one had been close, round two had been all Pico. In the third, he teed off with a combo and ripped the body hard to cap it off. Vintage Pico, shades of his early Bellator run. After looking for a takedown, Pico was tied up by Patricio Pitbull, leading to little more than a rest spot. Back at center, Pico doubled up on his jab. Another clinch, with Pitbull and Pick exchanging knees, and elbow smashing home with an elbow. A level change saw Pico turn the corner, take the back, and lock up Pitbull along the fence. The takedown would eventually come, and the clock was quickly running out for Patricio Pitbull.
#13-ranked featherweight Pitbull was bloodied up, and at the end, wanted to brawl. Pico was having none of it, tapping his head with his finger: brains over brawn. A clear win on the scorecards for Aaron Pico, who will likely be ranked following the victory.
Official Result: Aaron Pico def. Patricio Pitbull by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
