Training with Greg Jackson, the coach behind MMA icon Jon Jones, Aaron Pico has prepared for his UFC 319 debut with more than just fighting skills. Slated for the co-main event of the Dricus du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev card in Chicago on August 16, 2025, Pico’s choice to work with Jackson wasn’t solely about elite-level preparation. According to him, there’s a deeper purpose behind the decision that goes beyond sparring.

Just hours ago at the press conference, Aaron Pico was asked about his ongoing back-and-forth with Alexander Volkanovski, a former champion who has faced some of the best in the sport, including Islam Makhachev, Ilia Topuria, and Max Holloway. The question came after Volkanovski responded to Pico’s claim that he could knock him out, saying he would “crumble him in the wrestling department” and that Pico’s only hope would be to land a big shot.

Pico, who could potentially face the 27-4 veteran if he beats Lerone Murphy, didn’t shy away from the challenge. “It would be five rounds, so I think I’m gonna land a left hook and put him out,” he said. At the same time, Pico made it clear his focus is on Murphy, adding, “I’m the new guy in this organisation… but Volkanovski has it coming. He’s never fought a high-level wrestler like me.” When asked if there was any indication from the UFC about a title shot if he wins, Pico kept it simple. “The only thing is to go out there and do your job… and maybe big things are ahead of you,” he said, hinting that a strong performance could open the door to a championship opportunity. But that’s not all.

The reporter then followed up, asking how exciting it would be to not just fight for the UFC belt, but to face someone like Volkanovski, possibly the greatest featherweight in history. Pico admitted the prospect fuels his motivation. “That’s a guy that gets me out of bed in the morning,” he said, revealing that Volkanovski is often “on my mind” during his training.

In the end, Aaron Pico also welcomed Alexander Volkanovski’s dismissive remarks. “Keep underestimating me,” he said. “While you’re doing that, I’m in the gym getting better and better.” And with his team fully locked in, Pico seems confident that if the opportunity comes, he’ll be ready for one of the toughest tests in the division. But why did Aaron Pico join Jon Jones’ Coach to be’ in the first place?

Aaron Pico aims to fight with Ferrari-like speed and precision

When Aaron Pico first walked into Jackson’s gym, veteran coach Greg Jackson didn’t hold back. “You need to be fighting like a Ferrari, but you’re fighting like a minivan,” Jackson told him. The blunt honesty struck a chord. Rather than taking it as an insult, the 28-year-old saw it as a challenge, a sign that he still had another gear to unlock, and Jackson knew how to help him find it.

Pico’s drive to improve goes back to his earliest memories. “I was four years old when I found wrestling,” he shared in the UFC 319 countdown video. “When the practices got hard, it made me more excited. The harder I pushed, the more I enjoyed life.” That mindset has stayed with him through every setback, fueling his belief that he’s destined to be a UFC champion. Studying Jon Jones up close – from his strategy to his composure under pressure, has given Pico a new blueprint for success. Every drill, sparring session, and tactical tweak is part of what he calls “a complete fight education,” shaping him into the fighter he’s working to become.

So now, with his debut against undefeated challenger Lerone Murphy just 2 days away, Aaron Pico believes he’s arriving as the best version of himself. “I’m getting better every single day, and I’m going to be a huge problem for everybody,” he said. “I feel that I am the best fighter in the world in the featherweight division, and that’s why I’m in the UFC.” A fight with Murphy will be a true test, one that fans will witness in real time. So if Aaron Pico really wins, do you think he could take down the far more experienced Alexander Volkanovski if they meet next? What do you think?