New times await Pico.
A former Bellator who was ranked #14 in the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) Featherweight Aaron Pico returns against a fiery candidate Losene Keita in the year UFC 333 main card opening this weekend (Saturday, October 24, 2026) at Fight Island at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
For as long as Pico has competed in mixed martial arts (MMA), he has fought like a wild man.
The 30-year-old has essentially operated kill or be killed mentalityrelentlessly chasing an early finish – sometimes at the expense of his own defence. UFC fans got the full Aaron Pico experience in his promotional debut as he found plenty of success Lerone Murphy before the rotating elbow becomes flat (watch the highlights).
Pico noticeably toned down that all-out aggression in his second Octagon appearance against the Bellator veteran. Patrick Pitbull. This more patient approach was no accident.
“After my debut, I came in with the mindset that I wanted to be a rookie mentality,” Pico told reporters at UFC 333 media day. “I wanted to learn and gain experience.”
“When I say I needed humility, it’s not about how I walked or carried myself — not that kind of humility,” Pico continued. “I had to humble myself the way I fought. I fought too out of control. When I went into a fight, the mindset was, ‘I just want to get this thing over with.'” I wanted to do what I had to do to win and go home.
The adjustment paid off against Pitbull, with Pico picking up his first UFC victory while showing far more patience and control than he did in his chaotic debut.
Now Pico wants to build on that performance, instead of turning every fight into an instant firefight.
“I’ve changed my mindset and now I want to enjoy the fight and cook,” Pico said. “I want to add a little salt and a little pepper. I don’t have to just blow the heat and let it go.”
“Make the fight, enjoy it, use all your skills and enjoy,” Pico continued. “My mindset has gotten me in trouble before, especially against high-level competition, as you saw in my first fight.”
Keita is another dangerous test of this newfound patience.
The explosive Belgian he has the speed and power to punish Pico if he reverts to his old ways, but Pico has one of the most comprehensive skills in the featherweight division when it comes to staying disciplined.
There’s never been much doubt about Pico’s physical tools. His decision-making inside the cage has always been a bigger concern.
If he really learns how to make a fight, the rest of the 145-pound division could be in serious trouble.
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