Movsar Evloev vs. Aaron Pico is a no go for UFC on ACB 9.
(This story was updated to correct a mischaracterization.)
Movsar Evloev will not be fighting Aaron Pico after all, at least for now.
The top UFC featherweight contender has been forced to withdraw from the scheduled bout. Evloev (19-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) was scheduled to take on Pico (13-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) at UFC on ABC 9 on July 27 at Etihad Arena. MMA Junkie confirmed the news with people close to the situation Tuesday following a report from Red Corner MMA.
Those sources told MMA Junkie the UFC plans to keep the matchup and schedule Evloev vs. Pico for a later event. The UFC has yet to make the change official.
Pico, who’s been a standout fighter for quite sometime outside the UFC, was granted his release form PFL earlier this year, thus prompting his addition to the UFC roster. The fight with Evloev was supposed to be his promotional debut. Pico is on a three-fight winning streak. He last competed n February 2024, when he stopped veteran Henry Corrales in a lightweight bout.
Evloev remains unbeaten in his pro career, including his first nine in the UFC – all of which have been decisions. Those wins have come against increasingly stiff competition, including Arnold Allen in early 2024 and former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling late this past year.
