Aaron Pico’s Contract Quandary
Aaron Pico, the 28-year-old featherweight contender, finds himself in a challenging situation. Despite fulfilling his contractual obligations with the Professional Fighters League (PFL), he remains in a state of limbo due to a matching period clause. This provision allows the PFL to match any offer Pico receives from another promotion, such as the UFC, thus potentially forcing him to stay with the PFL. Pico has expressed his desire to join the UFC, a sentiment that has gained public traction and support from UFC legends like Matt Brown.
The PFL’s Perspective
PFL co-founder Donn Davis has staunchly defended the organization’s adherence to the contract. According to Davis, the PFL is simply honoring the terms that Pico agreed to when he signed. However, this stance has not been well-received in the MMA community. Matt Brown, a respected figure and former welterweight contender, believes that the PFL’s refusal to let Pico go is causing more harm than good. Brown argues that if the PFL continues to hold onto fighters who want to leave, it will deter new talent from signing with them. "Everybody wants to get to the f*cking UFC and that’s all there is to it," Brown said, emphasizing the UFC’s dominant position in the sport.
Dana White’s Interest
The situation took a turn for the better when Dana White, the UFC CEO, publicly expressed interest in signing Pico. At UFC Seattle, White pointed to one of his matchmakers and stated, "that guy loves Aaron Pico … when these guys love you as much as they do, I think good things are probably going to happen." This statement has given Pico a renewed sense of hope, but the matching period remains a significant obstacle. Brown, a staunch advocate for Pico, expressed his frustration, saying, "I don’t want to see Aaron Pico sit out a year. I want to see him in the UFC. He should have been in the UFC a long time ago, as a matter of fact."
The Impact on Pico’s Career
For Pico, the potential year-long inactivity looms large. His last fight was in February 2024, and another year without action could significantly impact his career. Brown highlighted the urgency, noting that Pico has a limited window to reach his full potential. "He’s got a pretty short window, maybe the next five or six years is going to be his window and let’s see it. I want to see what his f*cking potential is," Brown said. The prime of a fighter’s career is a crucial period, and any extended downtime can have lasting effects, both physically and mentally.
The Broader Picture: Industry Competition
While Brown acknowledges that the PFL’s long-term success would be beneficial for the sport, he is skeptical about the organization’s current trajectory. "I’d like to see them do well. That’s what sucks," he admitted. "We need another organization to have some sort of competition. I think it would be a good thing. Competition’s always healthy." However, Brown believes that the PFL is making mistakes that could hinder its growth and sustainability. "PFL needs to do all the right things to have a chance. You have to make all the right moves. You can’t be making stupid mistakes like this and take these [public relation] hits," he added.
A Critical Juncture for the PFL
Davis’s claim that the PFL is the "co-leader" in the MMA world has been met with skepticism and criticism. Brown is particularly dismissive of this notion, calling it "the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard." He points out that the UFC’s dominance is firmly established and that no other organization has come close to challenging it. "We’ll see if they even stick around for another couple of years," Brown said, highlighting the PFL’s uncertain future. For Pico and many other fighters, the decision to join the UFC is not just a career move but a matter of personal growth and legacy. The PFL’s refusal to release Pico is seen as a significant setback for both the fighter and the organization’s reputation. "Let Pico go and let’s move on … let him go. Pretty simple," Brown concluded, emphasizing the need for the PFL to reassess its policies and focus on retaining and attracting top talent.
