Volkanovski Responds To Pico's Challenge – ‘I Mop The Floor With Him'

Aaron Pico is already looking beyond his UFC debut, setting his sights on Alexander Volkanovski and the featherweight belt.

Pico, the former Bellator and PFL fighter, will make his UFC debut at UFC 319 on Saturday against Lerone Murphy. While his immediate focus is on securing a win, Pico said his ultimate goal is to “take out” Volkanovski. Volkanovski, who regained the UFC Featherweight Belt in April by defeating Diego Lopes for the vacant title, has yet to have his next fight confirmed. Reports indicate that it could be a rematch with Yair Rodriguez, with the Australian having already beaten him at UFC 290 in July 2023. If Pico comes out with a win, his goal is to eventually become the champion.

"I feel I match up very well with Volkanovski, and I believe I can beat him. The power that I have in my hands, I can get him, and he’s never fought a wrestler like me, But yeah, he, in my opinion, he is the greatest featherweight of all time. What he’s been able to do, to lose the title, then regain the title, I mean that takes a lot and especially [when] he’s getting up there in age, to be able to compete at a high level, I have a lot of respect for him. But at the end of the day, he has what I want, and it’s that belt. So if I have to take out Alexander Volkanovski, and I get the opportunity to do it, I’m going to take him out," Pico said

Volk Reacts

Volkanovski has shown that he can be hurt. He was knocked out by Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria. However, the Makhachev fight at UFC 294 was taken at short notice. Meanwhile, Topuria is considered one of the most dangerous fighters in the division. Volk has reacted to Pico’s claim, saying he would be too much for him.

“I’ve faced really, really good wrestlers even much heavier than him, and trust me, I do all right. MMA grappling is my world. I love that. He’s got to have that confidence. I’m not really going to take it serious until he goes and shows me something. You’ve done stuff in your other promotions and whatnot. Come over here, do it here, all right? Then I’ll look into it a little bit more. But yeah, he’s only got a puncher’s chance. I’ll leave it at that.

“It excites me because I reckon I’d crumble him in the wrestling department. He might be good for one takedown, two takedowns – if he even gets me down, I’m straight back up. Watch him not want to clinch up anymore after that. His best bet is to obviously try and land a big shot. Other than that, I mop the floor with him,” Volk stated

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