UFC 327: Patricio Pitbull vs Aaron Pico Preview & Prediction
Bellator legend Patricio "Pitbull" Freire takes on fellow ex-organisation talent Aaron Pico
Patricio Pitbull vs Aaron Pico facts
What time are Patricio Pitbull and Aaron Pico expected to walk out?
Where is UFC 327: Prochazka vs Ulberg? Kaseya Center, Miami, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC 327: Prochazka vs Ulberg? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 270
What TV channel is UFC 327: Prochazka vs Ulberg on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Paramount
Where can I stream UFC 327: Prochazka vs Ulberg? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and HBO Max / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC 327: Prochazka vs Ulberg main card
Jiri Prochazka vs Carlos Ulberg (Light Heavyweight)
Azamat Murzakanov vs Paulo Costa (Light Heavyweight)
Curtis Blaydes vs Josh Hokit (Heavyweight)
Dominick Reyes vs Johnny Walker (Light Heavyweight)
Cub Swanson vs Nate Landwehr (Featherweight)
UFC 327: Prochazka vs Ulberg prelims
Patricio Pitbull vs Aaron Pico (Featherweight)
Mateusz Gamrot vs Esteban Ribovics (Lightweight)
Kevin Holland vs Randy Brown (Welterweight)
Tatiana Suarez vs Loopy Godinez (Womens Strawweight)
MarQuel Mederos vs Chris Padilla (Lightweight)
Kelvin Gastelum vs Vicente Luque (Middleweight)
Charles Radtke vs. Francisco Prado (Welterweight)
Patricio Pitbull: Bellator legend looking to prove he still belongs at the highest level
Patricio Pitbull (37-8) is one of the most decorated fighters in Bellator history, a former two-division champion who has made his way to the UFC in the twilight of his career. His UFC record is modest but telling - a decision win over Dan Ige, a solid test at the border of the rankings, before dropping a decision to Yair Rodriguez, a genuine top contender who only loses to the best. Pitbull is compact and experienced, operating behind a patient guard, good boxing counters on the inside, and excellent takedown timing once he's had time to read his opponent. His gas tank and volume can drop off in the later rounds, but his ring craft compensates for it.
Aaron Pico: Hyped up American prospect yet to truly justify the billing
Aaron Pico (13-5) arrived in combat sports with enormous expectations and the talent to match, but his time in the UFC has been unfortunate. The only memory of Pico remains a stunning knockout of the year, first-round spinning elbow KO loss to Lerone Murphy, a fighter not known for his finishing ability. He was caught coming forward recklessly with poor defensive awareness and his feet crossed. His wins have come against regional-level opposition, with nothing on his UFC resume as of yet. Pico is undeniably powerful and aggressive early, throws with bad intentions and cuts the ring off well, but his frantic movement and persistent foot-crossing give a patient, well-timed fighter like Pitbull plenty to work with.
Patricio Pitbull vs Aaron Pico prediction
Pitbull's patient, read-heavy style is almost tailor-made for an opponent like Pico. Pico's crossing feet and frantic movement are exactly the kind of habits a veteran with Pitbull's takedown timing will punish, the Murphy loss showed how exposed Pico becomes when he charges in without defensive awareness. Pitbull won't go looking for a brawl, he'll absorb early, make his reads, and wait for his moments, both on the feet with sharp inside counters and on the mat where his takedown timing has troubled far more proven fighters than Pico. Pico may be reluctant to shoot for takedowns of his own here too, given Pitbull's experience and composure on the ground.
The negative to Pitbull's game is that if he doesn't see any counters available, he will sit comfortably behind a high guard in exchanges, taking unnecessary damage and making a bad impression to the judges even if the shots are blocked. His volume in the first round has been really low since he's joined the UFC. Pico has the chance of overwhelming Pitbull in the first round before he can start making his reads. That being said, I think Pitbull is durable enough to withstand an early onslaught. Give me the underdog.
Prediction: Patricio Pitbull to win
