Aaron Pico Releases Statement on Loss in UFC Debut

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For Aaron Pico, everything was going well — until suddenly it wasn’t.

The former Bellator MMA standout had a strong start in the UFC 319 co-main event, but his night ended abruptly when Lerone Murphy rendered him unconscious with a spinning back elbow 3:21 into the opening round of their featherweight bout at the United Center in Chicago on Saturday night.

While a victory might have propelled Pico into immediate title contention, the 28-year-old Jackson-Wink MMA representative is taking his defeat in stride.

Pico: ‘My Story is Not Over’

“Last night wasn’t my night, that’s the fight game,” Pico wrote on his Instagram account. “I’m grateful for my team, my family, and everyone who continues to support me. The supporters that have been there from day one and my new supporters, I see you! Thank you. Wins and losses both teach lessons, and I’ll come back sharper, stronger, and better prepared. Thank you all who have sent messages and checked in, my health is well.

“Thanks for riding with me. My story is not over.”

Pico fell to 13-5 in defeat, and all five of those losses have come inside the distance — though one was a result of an unfortunate shoulder injury. The California native has won nine of his last 11 professional outings overall.

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