Alexander Volkanovski, the reigning two-time UFC Featherweight Champion, has addressed comments made by rising UFC 319 contender Aaron Pico. Pico, a former standout from Bellator and PFL, recently expressed confidence that he will eventually face and defeat Volkanovski inside the Octagon. Volkanovski responded firmly, dismissing Pico’s challenge with a mix of confidence and readiness to counter his wrestling skills.
Volkanovski Confident in His Wrestling Superiority Over Pico
During an interview with FOX Sports Australia, Volkanovski acknowledged Pico’s strong wrestling background but asserted that he would outperform him in that area. Volkanovski stated,
“That’s perfectly fine. Everyone has a puncher’s chance, so he does have big hands. He is an All-American wrestler. But I’ll tell you right now, what’s the bet if we were to wrestle, I’d embarrass him there anyway? That’s the thing. A lot of people want to be like, ‘Oh, I did this, I did that.’ Like I haven’t faced them guys in the gym.”
This remark underlined Volkanovski’s belief that his mixed martial arts experience surpasses Pico’s wrestling credentials.
Volkanovski Predicts a One-Sided Battle Unless Pico Lands a Big Shot
Volkanovski further elaborated that Pico’s best chance of success would be catching him with a significant strike. Otherwise, he expects a dominant performance in their potential matchup. In his words,
“It excites me because I reckon I’d crumble him in the wrestling department.”
He continued,
“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.”
Upcoming UFC 319 Fight Puts Pico to the Test Against Lerone Murphy
Before any showdown with Volkanovski, Aaron Pico is scheduled to compete against the unbeaten Lerone Murphy at the UFC 319 event. This match represents a significant challenge for both fighters, with Pico entering as a slight favorite according to betting odds. Experts, however, remain undecided on the likely outcome, highlighting the competitive nature of the matchup.
The Wider Context of UFC Featherweight Competition
Volkanovski’s confident dismissal of Pico’s challenge reflects the depth of competition in the featherweight division as he prepares for future defenses of his title. The ongoing influx of talented fighters like Pico promises an exciting period for the division. Observers will be watching closely to see if Pico’s potential in wrestling and striking translates into success against the division’s elite.