Aaron Pico needs his freedom, and if that requires him to sit down out for an additional 12 months within the prime of his profession, then that’s precisely what he’s going to do.
The extremely touted featherweight contender only recently reached the top of his contract with the PFL to grow to be a free agent, however the promotion maintains matching rights. Which means if Pico in the end indicators with the UFC, which is the place he needs to do, the PFL might match that provide, and he could be required to return there as a substitute.
On Tuesday, PFL co-founder Donn Davis responded to Pico’s pleas for his full launch by confirming that the group is holding onto these matching rights with no plans to waive that a part of his contract.
“Love Aaron Pico, rising star fighter and nice particular person,” Davis wrote on Twitter. “To be clear, PFL just isn’t holding him again. Pico as [a] free agent can signal at present with UFC after which PFL can determine whether or not to match [the] provide. That’s [the] normal MMA contract Pico signed and the way [the] MMA business works.”
After listening to Davis’ message, Pico made it clear that he’s resolved in his choice to maneuver on from the PFL, and nothing goes to vary that now.
“I’ll say this — I’m not preventing for the PFL,” Pico informed MMA Preventing. “If I’ve to attend out a 12 months to be free and clear, then I’ll do it. Actually. I’m effective. Cash’s good, however that is what I like to do. Thank God I’ve good investments, and all the things goes effectively. I simply wish to battle.
“That is what I used to be born [to do], once I was wrestling at 4 years outdated, I used to be just about a child and I wrestled after which I boxed and that is what I’ve at all times wished to do. I simply wish to present people who I’m the most effective fighter on the planet. I do know [my manager] Ali [Abdelaziz] and all of them will handle it, however like I stated, if I’ve bought to sit down out for a 12 months, then hey, I’ll maintain coaching, driving my horses and being a dad.”
Pico revealed lengthy earlier than he got here to this deadlock with PFL that he did all the things in his energy to compete this previous 12 months, together with his final look coming in February 2024.
It was after his win over Henry Corrales on the PFL Champions Sequence card in Saudi Arabia that Pico bought the possibility to talk to Davis earlier than an extended flight residence, and he was promised a title shot towards then Bellator champion Patricio Pitbull.
“I used to be alleged to battle [Patricio] Pitbull in September in California,” Pico defined. “That’s what Donn had informed me in Saudi Arabia. He stated, ‘That’s yours, and also you’ve earned that.’ So, I bought prepared for the battle. Because it bought nearer, I didn’t hear something, after which they stated the battle was off. They wished me to battle in Saudi Arabia on the Francis Ngannou card towards Jesus Pinedo. In fact, I stated sure. We began planning for Jesus, after which a pair weeks after that, they known as and stated that I used to be going to battle Jeremy Kennedy. In fact, it’s sure. Then they stated that was off, they wished me to battle Patricio Pitbull on the Japan card on New 12 months’s. A pair weeks earlier than that, they stated the battle was off.
“It’s simply been three cancelled fights, and it’s very, very unlucky since you don’t receives a commission for coaching camps. You place in lengthy weeks and hours, and also you don’t get a paycheck. In fact, there’s loads that goes into it, however yeah, my contract is at an finish.”
Pico revealed the small print behind his contract, which was signed with Bellator previous to the PFL shopping for out the promotion after which folding the fighters into one mixed expertise pool.
“I wish to let individuals know that I signed a seven-fight deal, 30 months, and it’s expired, and so they solely gave me 5 fights,” Pico stated. “In my eyes, and I consider it’s a breach of contract, however I simply don’t wish to go down that street and go to court docket and get held up in that. I believe the most straightforward manner is to only give me my full launch with out the matching clause and let me go.”
After information of Pico’s free company was made public, UFC CEO Dana White was requested about probably signing him, and he stated, “I undoubtedly know the boys are keen on him.”
At 28, Pico is arguably at his peak proper now, off three wins in a row with a 9-1 resume in his previous 10 fights, together with his solely loss coming after he suffered a shoulder harm in a matchup towards Jeremy Kennedy again in 2022.
Pico needs nothing greater than to lastly get the possibility to check himself towards the most effective featherweights on the planet, however he believes that requires a transfer to the UFC. Now, after listening to Davis’s proclaim that the PFL isn’t going to waive matching rights, Pico is digging in his heels to battle for what he is aware of is true.
“I’m not preventing for them once more,” Pico stated about PFL. “However what’s the plan, actually? What’s the plan? I do know they’ve a event, they launched the names, so what am I going to do? Simply wait till the event is over?
“Like I stated, I’m not right here to badmouth the PFL or Donn Davis. That’s not what I’m right here to do. I need PFL to succeed. I’ve buddies which can be within the PFL, I need them to do good and earn a living. I simply don’t wish to be a part of the group. It’s so simple as that. I’m certain Donn Davis is a good man, however that is enterprise. Seven fights [on my contract], and I solely had 5. Come on now.”
Pico admitted that he’s not prepared to have interaction in a authorized battle with PFL over his contract as a result of he actually hopes the 2 sides can come to an settlement to half methods with none additional battle.
Sadly, judging by Davis’ feedback, the PFL isn’t planning to launch Pico from his deal with out holding onto these matching rights.
“Hear, I did my time,” Pico stated. “I did all the things that was requested of me, and it’s not like I simply signed a contract, and now I’m asking OK, I need out. I did what a person does, I honored it and I nonetheless had two fights left on my contract and I informed them hey hear, I informed Ali, let me get my fights in and we’ll do what we have now to do however they have been booked 3 times and so they cancelled on me 3 times. That’s past my management. Like I stated, I don’t wish to go to court docket. I don’t wish to have to try this as a result of I really feel that it’s a breach of contract, and let’s simply do it the straightforward manner and let me be a real free agent.
“Mainly, what I’m saying is true; I’m not mendacity about something. I simply wish to be free and go. Go battle for the UFC. It seems like he’s ready to match it. I don’t know what to essentially say. Do you perceive the place that I’m in? Would you be just a little bit annoyed?”
For now, Pico is ready to proceed enjoying the ready recreation in hopes that the PFL finally relents and simply permits him out of his contract so he can begin negotiations with the UFC.
“Simply sounds just like the ex-girlfriend that doesn’t wish to allow you to go,” Pico stated concerning the PFL. “That’s what it looks as if. Similar to nope, you’re going to remain.”
