Wrestling phenom Aaron Pico set to make pro MMA debut Saturday at Madison Square Garden

Photo: Aaron Pico at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Iowa City, Iowa. Photo by Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com
Aaron Pico’s dream is finally coming true.

This Saturday, Pico will make his professional mixed martial arts debut at Bellator 180 at the world famous Madison Square Garden in New York City and in front of a world-wide Pay-Per-View audience.

“I’m really excited. It’s always been on my mind, when and where I’ll be making my professional debut. To have it set in stone in Madison Square Garden on Pay-Per-View, it what I’ve always wanted, what I’ve always envisioned. Finally, it’s here. It’s just right around the corner,” Pico said.

The 20-year-old will face Zach Freeman, who is 8-2 in MMA, as the 10th bout of the night and first fight on the main card.

“This guy is a veteran, and he’s a tough guy,” Pico said. “He’s a little bit taller than me and he has the length, but what a lot of people don’t know is that my striking and boxing is just as good as my wrestling, if not better. I feel like I’ll be able to take him down because I think I’m a far better wrestler than he is, but I take no opponent lightly. He’s a veteran, for sure, with an 8-2 record, so he’s no joke.”

Although it may not be the main event, it is one of the most anticipated.

In 2014, when he was only 18 years old, Pico signed a long-term contract with Bellator that allowed him to chase after a spot on the 2016 U.S. Olympic wrestling team before completely transitioning into MMA.

Since then, MMA and wrestling fans, alike, have been awaiting the debut of the young phenom.

Former wrestler and MMA veteran Chael Sonnen, who will headline the event on Saturday, calls Pico the “No. 1 prospect in the history of MMA.”

A product of Whittier, Calif., Pico has been a familiar face to the wrestling world with success starting at an even younger age.

As a Cadet-level wrestler in 2013, Pico was a World Champion at 63 kg/139 lbs. He followed up that performance with two Junior World medals, a silver in 2014 and a bronze in 2015. Additionally, he owns seven other international medals, with six coming at the Senior level.

His most recent wrestling showing was at the 2016 Olympic Team Trials, where he fell short of his Olympic dream, taking second to Frank Molinaro at 65 kg/143 lbs.

Shortly after suffering a torn ACL while training for the Freestyle World Cup, Pico decided to put his efforts into another life-long goal of fighting professionally.

Although some would see ACL surgery as a setback, Pico saw it as an opportunity and made an even stronger comeback.

“I believe that it was the best thing that has ever happened to me. It was a blessing in disguise,” he said. “Before surgery, I was actually in really good shape and I was still training, doing weights. After the surgery, I felt like my body was really healing. My numbers went up as far as strength and everything. When I came back, people told me I felt stronger than ever. I was immersed in rehab like crazy and was able to come back 10 times better.”

His life as an MMA fighter has been drastically different than as a wrestler. It’s been all about balancing everything out.

A typical day for Pico would involve driving 45 minutes to Los Angeles for a boxing session before going the opposite direction to Orange County for conditioning. After that, he heads back to LA to work on his MMA and jiu-jitsu. On top of all that, he has to find time to take care of his media obligations as well as make recovery a priority.

“It’s crazy. There are a lot of things that go into it. My life has been super, super busy,” he said. “There are so many disciplines. It’s not just going to wrestling practice anymore. I got with my team, and we just sat at the table and laid everything out like what days I’m doing everything that’s required. So far, so good. I’m having the time of my life.”

Finally, all the hard work has come down to this—his professional debut in New York City. Sure, there are nerves, but that’s nothing new to Pico.

“There’s always pressure and I’ll get a little nervous, but I’ve dealt with it before in wrestling and I rose to the occasion many, many times. I don’t think it’ll be any different in MMA. It’s just another sport. I can use my wrestling and boxing, so it’s just more weapons to use,” Pico said.

While he’s excited to fight on one of the biggest stages in the world this weekend, the California native has his sights on a fight in the Staples Center one day.

“[Madison Square Garden] is huge, but for me in the back of my mind, I thinking, ‘I can’t wait to fight in the Staples Center one day,’’’ he said. “That’s something I’ve always wanted. I pass by the Staples Center almost every day on my way to train, so I’m looking forward to having my fights there one day. But for right now, I’m really excited to get the chance to start my pro career in Madison Square Garden.”

Cheering him on at MSG will be star-studded crowd of some of wrestling’s finest, including Olympic champions Cael Sanderson and Helen Maroulis, respected wrestling coach Valentin Kalika and one of today’s freestyle stars David Taylor.

“I’m very thankful for the wrestling community,” he said. “Everyone really stood behind me through my wrestling career and has helped me out. I take pride in saying I’m a wrestler.”

Should he decide to return to wrestling one day, Pico said he will be the guy to beat.

“Some people think that because I’m not focused only on wrestling that I’m not getting better, but I am,” he said. “I’m getting better as a wrestler and a fighter overall. If I decide to come back, I feel I definitely will make a World Team and get to represent the United States.”

Until then, we’ll watch as he looks to become MMA’s next superstar. But rest assured, Pico still holds onto his love of wrestling.

“I love wrestling. It’s always going to be a part of me and who I am,” he said. “I’m always going to be known as a wrestler. We are the toughest athletes out there, I believe. Anytime we get to roll around and do some wrestling with my training, there’s a big smile on my face.”

Bellator 180 is set for Saturday, June 24, live from Madison Square Garden. The undercard will be broadcast on Spike TV, while the main card portion, referred to as Bellator NYC, will be on Pay-Per-View, starting at 10 p.m. ET with Pico vs. Freeman.