#pressconference #interview #ufcpressconference #aaronpico #aaronpicoufc #joeroganexperience #conor
Category
😹
FunTranscript
00:00An unforgettable experience for two in Las Vegas, including round-trip airfare, four-star hotel accommodations, and a pair of tickets to UFC 317, plus exclusive access to additional fan experiences and special prizes for second place and runner-up winners.
00:17Enter now at UFC.com slash DreamWeek for your chance to win.
00:23Sugar Sean O'Malley.
00:25He is a sniper, a master at knocking people unconscious.
00:30He's an absolute killer.
00:33And this is the toughest opponent he's ever fought.
00:36The Rob D'Wallishwili is a mauler.
00:39Incredible.
00:39When you watch him melt, guys, he's a machine.
00:42He literally is.
00:43D'Wallishwili is going to rest the title away.
00:46And now!
00:47We will see that rematch.
00:50He's shooting me, laddie, you're the man.
00:51Shut up, laddie.
00:52Bring him here right now.
00:54The Rob D'Wallishwili.
00:56He's one of the best power-for-pound fighters on the planet.
00:58Sugar Sean O'Malley.
01:00Legit knockout power.
01:02The Queen is home, and she's coming for that goal.
01:09Kayla Harrison.
01:10She's such a beast.
01:12Juliana Peña.
01:13She's the best band of weight in the world.
01:15This is my belt.
01:16Come and get it.
01:17Two championship showdowns.
01:18Let's go!
01:19Welcome to the UFC 316 press conference.
01:28UFC 316 goes down on Saturday, June 7th at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
01:34Tickets are on sale Friday, April 18th at Ticketmaster.com.
01:38We start with our co-main event with the UFC Bantamweight Championship on the line.
01:45Up first, a destructive force who's been dominant since her UFC debut.
01:50There was little doubt that she was destined for this golden opportunity from the minute she stepped inside the octagon.
01:56Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the two-time Olympic judoka gold medalist, Kayla Harrison.
02:03And for the champion, a woman who has gone through the fires of the 135-pound class.
02:13She holds wins over some of the biggest names to ever compete in the UFC.
02:18She is the two-time women's Bantamweight Champion of the World, Juliana, the Venezuelan vixen, Pena.
02:26And now for our main event, a rematch for the men's UFC Bantamweight Championship.
02:37Making the walk first, one of the biggest superstars in the sport who has revenge on his mind.
02:44He won't just shut your lights out, he'll do it in style.
02:48This is the former UFC Bantamweight Champion of the World, Sugar, Sean O'Malley.
02:56And his opponent, a no-quit, non-stop action fighter who is putting together an all-time resume.
03:06His pace has yet to be matched, and he holds the record for the most takedowns in UFC history.
03:12He's on a 12-fight win streak and has shown no signs of slowing down.
03:17Coming off his signature winning title performance in January, here is the UFC Bantamweight Champion of the World, Marav, the Machine, Dwalishwili.
03:28What's up, guys? Thanks for coming out today.
03:39Who's got the first question?
03:41I'll start with the champion, Marav, straight ahead.
03:49Before we get into the actual fight, I have to ask, you know, you're wearing the jacket, it seems like you have a Sean doll with you.
03:54So I guess, what prompted this attire to bring that out?
04:00Say it one more time, please.
04:01Just asking about the jacket and this doll that you brought up.
04:04This is a little joke, of course, but I'm that serious for this fight, you know.
04:10We all know Sean, he's a good fighter.
04:13He hits hard, I felt that, and now he will make some adjustments, and he's going to look for finish, and it's going to be a good fight.
04:24And after you beat Umar, it seems like you could have had your pick with any contender in the Bantamweight division.
04:31I think a lot of people were surprised that it was the rematch.
04:34So why was this the fight that you wanted against Sean O'Malley?
04:38Like Sean said, he was injured.
04:41So let's see.
04:43Now he's saying he's going to be 70% better.
04:47Actually, I want to see that.
04:49And, you know, it's not, I'm not looking at this fight, easy fight.
04:57You know, he hits hard.
04:58Only me and him, we felt inside the cage how fight, I was game, I have a good game plan.
05:04My game plan was working good.
05:06Now he's going to make some adjustments, and he will have a different game plan.
05:10We all know he hits hard.
05:12He finished people.
05:13And I've got to keep up hard work.
05:16It's actually hard, you know, fight, same guy.
05:19It's my first rematch in professional career.
05:21So I've got to make sure I've got to keep up hard work, and we all see.
05:25It's going to be a good fight for sure.
05:26He's going to be looking for finish.
05:27I'm going to be looking for finish, and we will see.
05:29Thank you, everyone.
05:34A question for Sean.
05:35Straight ahead.
05:36You know, you made it known that you were dealing with some injuries in that first fight,
05:39even especially after the fight.
05:41I think fans expect you maybe in the fourth quarter this year to take some time off, like you said.
05:46So I guess physically, how are you feeling with all of these life changes that you've made?
05:51Feel good.
05:52You know, your other rematch that you've had against Gito Vera after the first fight,
06:04you had to wait several years to kind of prove that that was a fluke.
06:07And then you put on one of your best performances here in Miami.
06:09So I guess, how are you approaching this rematch with Merab,
06:12and what adjustments have you made that, you know, Merab has been alluding to?
06:16Yeah, I'm very grateful to the UFC to give me a rematch so quick.
06:19You know, it's an excuse, call it what you want.
06:23You know, I fought Merab with one leg.
06:25I tore my hip ten weeks before the fight.
06:28And, you know, that's just what happened.
06:34Then my final question for Dana.
06:36Dana, straight ahead.
06:38You know, like I said, Merab could have had his pick against any of these bandway contenders.
06:41So for you, why was this the fight that you felt should have been made?
06:44This is the fight that people wanted to see.
06:55Except for these six guys over here.
07:00Go ahead.
07:01Question for Juliana.
07:03Juliana, since Kayla came into the UFC,
07:05it's almost been spoken about as fact that she was going to fight for the title.
07:09Do you think that was a fair assessment of her skills,
07:12or do you think maybe there is a little bit too much hype around her?
07:14You know, I think that at the end of the day,
07:16it's very apparent that she was ducking Chris Cyborg in the PFL.
07:20I don't know anyone that would pour in that much money
07:23to one specific person like Don Davis
07:26to have her as the face of his brand
07:28and then only for her to not forego her contract at the PFL.
07:31She was running from Chris Cyborg.
07:33Everybody knows that.
07:34And of course, because she had such a big name there,
07:36she was able to jump the line in front of all these other women
07:39that had put in so much time and effort
07:40into making this bantamweight division great.
07:43So, do I understand it?
07:44Of course.
07:45The machine is a moneymaker.
07:46You know, if it don't make money, it don't make sense.
07:48And at the end of the day, this fight makes sense
07:50and that's why it's being done.
07:52But, no.
07:54Kayla, just curious about your response
07:55to those accusations and comments.
07:57Listen, I'm not ducking anybody.
08:06I'm not running from anybody.
08:07I came to the UFC because it's the best organization in the world.
08:12And according to that,
08:14you should be the best fighter in the world.
08:18And on June 7th, we're going to find out.
08:24That's what they all say.
08:25That's what they all say.
08:28Kayla, obviously the goal is to win the belt,
08:30but would it be a little bit sweeter
08:31to be able to win it off Juliana
08:33considering the little bit of the needle between you two?
08:36Oh, yeah.
08:36I'm getting paid to have fun right now.
08:38I'm getting paid to put an elbow right through her skull.
08:42That's what she thinks.
08:43But at the end of the day,
08:45how are you going to beat me, Kayla?
08:47How are you going to beat me?
08:48You literally are going to be first off.
08:50Actually, I wanted to know, are you okay, honestly?
08:52Because I know that you have to, like, piss blood, spit blood
08:56in order to weight drain yourself.
08:57You weight bully to make this division in the first place.
09:00This is going to be your first fight at 135 pounds.
09:03You don't get God making that extra pound from 137 to 136.
09:07You have to make 135.0,
09:09and it's the first time that you're in a five-round,
09:1125-minute fight in my world.
09:12It's not the first time in a five-round fight, sweetie.
09:15Do your homework.
09:16Okay, do your homework.
09:17You're fighting a bunch of grandmas
09:19that are ready for the freaking wheelchair.
09:20First I was ducking cyborg.
09:21Now I was fighting grandmas.
09:23Which is it?
09:24That is how you made your freaking first throw to five fights.
09:25Girls that have never, ever fought again after they fought you.
09:28What?
09:30Listen, listen.
09:32You better thank God for that extra pound.
09:34You're going to need every little thing you can to help you.
09:37And on June 7th, on June 7th, you're going to be going to lay on top of me for 25 minutes.
09:43Good luck.
09:44You're going to knock me out.
09:45You're going to knock me out.
09:46Good luck.
09:47I think we saw right there how you doing, Amanda.
09:49She wasn't able to knock me out.
09:51I have never seen you knock anybody out.
09:52You're going to knock me out.
09:54You're going to submit me.
09:56You're going to win in a dogfight.
09:57Good fucking luck.
10:00Actually, that brings me on to my next question.
10:02I did notice Amanda Nunes was sitting down here.
10:04You know, there's a trilogy been discussed.
10:06Kayla, you and Amanda's always been discussed.
10:08Could the winner be the person to draw Amanda Nunes out of retirement for a massive fight later this year?
10:15Is that from me?
10:17No, it's to Kayla and Juliana, but if you want to answer.
10:18I'll answer that.
10:19I'll answer that.
10:20At the end of the day, Amanda hates Kayla more than she hates me.
10:23That's a fact.
10:24She wants nothing to do with me, and she wants to fight Kayla.
10:27That's why she's sitting in the back.
10:29And as Dana said, she retired a little bit too early.
10:32She's waiting to see what happens, but she wants to fight Kayla more than she wants to fight
10:36me because she knows that that's a big freaking fight, and it's going to be a long night in
10:40the office, just like Kayla knows.
10:41That's why she's being a lot nicer than you guys have ever seen her before.
10:46Another one for you, Juliana.
10:48In your first reign, you were not able to get a title defense.
10:51If you're able to defend the belt this time around against someone of Kayla's stature,
10:55would this make it a more satisfying title reign this time around?
10:58At the end of the day, I'm just out here to do my job.
11:00It's not the first time I fought a gold medalist.
11:02The last time I fought an Olympic medalist, I put him to sleep.
11:05So it's nothing but another day in the office for me.
11:08At the end of the day, I'm going in there to have fun.
11:10I'm a dog.
11:11I'm uncomfortable up here right now.
11:12I want to get locked inside the octagon.
11:14I want to get locked inside the octagon.
11:15You fought a 40-year-old Olympic silver medalist.
11:17You got your ass kicked for two rounds.
11:1840-year-old?
11:19You are like a 40-year-old.
11:21Aren't you like 41 years old?
11:23I'm pretty sure you lie about your age.
11:24Pretty sure you lie about your age.
11:26And for you, Kayla, obviously, we've been wanting to see you fight for the UFC title
11:32since day one.
11:32But having these two UFC fights to get the experience, kind of get more comfortable with
11:37the environment, how much is that going to enhance your performance this time?
11:40None of it.
11:41It doesn't matter.
11:42I'm coming for my belt.
11:43Gianna's going to be the world of fucking hurt.
11:46It's not your belt.
11:46It doesn't matter.
11:47I'm comfortable.
11:47Your belt is at PFL.
11:48I've been competing on the biggest games in the world since I was 20 years old.
11:52Uh-huh.
11:52Last time I checked, it was an MMA fight, not a judo match.
11:55Get your facts right, sweetie.
11:58I'm gonna.
12:00Me too.
12:01One more for Sean O'Malley.
12:03Sean, I know you talked on your podcast, a lot of life changes.
12:06And off the back of that, Marab said he took your fans, he took your belt, and he made
12:10you humble.
12:11Did he humble you, or do you think these changes to your life would have come regardless
12:15of the outcome of your first fight?
12:17Uh, I don't know.
12:21I don't got much to say.
12:22I'm excited for the rematch.
12:24You know, I truly, truly believe in my skills.
12:27I know I'm going to beat Marab.
12:30Question for Sean O'Malley.
12:32You represent the state of Montana.
12:34Your people love you so much.
12:36How special is it to represent Montana on the East Coast again?
12:42Yeah, I mean, this fight reminds me of the Aljo fight to where everyone was counting me
12:45out.
12:46You know, I went out there and put his lights out.
12:47So, you know, I'm feeling, feeling similar to that fight.
12:51And question for Marab.
12:54Last press conference, we had a little laugh about jacuzzis.
12:57You got to share a jacuzzi with Sean O'Malley.
13:00Tell me what that was like.
13:01I have a good time in jacuzzi with Sean O'Malley.
13:09Hopefully, I'm going to win again and we're going to spend more good time in jacuzzi.
13:14It's going to be even more sweet.
13:16All right, this question's for Kayla.
13:19But humor not welcome in my jacuzzi.
13:25This question's for Kayla.
13:26Kayla, a lot of people don't think you will stay at bantamweight for long due to the aggressive
13:31weight cut.
13:31What are your thoughts on this?
13:35I signed a contract.
13:36You know, the weight class is 135 pounds.
13:39I plan on going in there and becoming UFC champion and reigning for a long, long time.
13:45Thought in the mind.
13:45Not if I can help it.
13:46Not if I can help it.
13:47She knows that she's scared.
13:48She's pissing blood already just thinking about it.
13:50You look hungry, Kayla.
13:51You look hungry.
13:52You look like you need a walking taco.
13:54Yeah, I'm hungry to whoop your ass.
13:55Eight weeks from now, you're going to find out.
13:58Yeah, we'll see.
13:59Nothing tastes as good as gold feels.
14:01I'll tell you that.
14:02Yeah, you look like you're leaning out into the division real nice there.
14:05You're looking a little skinny.
14:05I like it.
14:06You need a walking taco, I think.
14:09Who's got the next question?
14:10All right, my second question is for Sean.
14:12Sean, some people say you're getting something called Dana White privilege, that you're getting
14:17a quick rematch without really proving yourself as a champ.
14:20What do you think about that?
14:22Thanks, Dana.
14:29Go ahead.
14:30Who's next?
14:32Sean, a year ago, you were in the same arena in a war against Vera that you won.
14:36Amazing fight.
14:37Everyone in Miami loves you.
14:38Do you think you came back a little too fast for the next fight?
14:41I wouldn't call that a war, but no, I don't think I came back too fast.
14:46You know?
14:47No.
14:49Do you think you're going to be in Newark with all those New Jerseyites out there?
14:53Are they going to support you like the Miamians did here?
14:58Yeah, I don't know.
14:59It's full circle.
15:00Newark is where I watched Henry and Aljo fight, and I got the winner of that fight.
15:04That's where I handed him Rob my jacket, and, you know, it's full circle.
15:11Dana over here.
15:13Go ahead.
15:14Amanda Nunes is sitting right there.
15:16You've said that you believe she retired a bit early.
15:18Do you think she fights again?
15:21Do I think Amanda Nunes fights again?
15:25She just said yes.
15:28And a question for Kayla.
15:30There we go.
15:31There we go.
15:34Which means that me booing her in Canada was right, because I knew that she was retiring
15:40too early, just like Dana said, and just like you guys are all seeing.
15:44She's not done.
15:45She's just sitting there in the sidelines to see what happens, because she didn't want
15:48to fight that trilogy fight like I was asking for.
15:50Kayla, you didn't get to answer the previous question when they asked you about Amanda.
15:59Where are you?
16:00Should you beat Juliana Pena?
16:02Do you think that's the next fight, you versus Amanda?
16:04Absolutely.
16:05I think Amanda and I both know that that's what's going to happen.
16:08And real quick one for Murab.
16:13For the belt.
16:15Murab, this time around, the buildup with Sean Amali is a little bit more tamed, right?
16:20Do you enjoy that, or do you prefer to have a little bit more fire going into a fight?
16:23It's definitely a different feeling, because last time we fought, he was disrespecting
16:29me, he was talking trash, and I was saying, like, I'm going to show you, and I did show.
16:34This time he's very humble and very respectful, and it's hard for me to take it serious, but
16:42I'm going to do my best to keep it professional, and I know he's going to make adjustments, and
16:51it's going to be a different fight.
16:53I know he's going to stop my takedowns, and it's going to be an interesting fight, and
16:56I'm excited to see it too, and I'm going to make sure I'm going to keep up hard work.
17:07Go ahead.
17:07Yeah, go ahead.
17:08Question for Murab.
17:11Murab, you recently said that you would like to go up to featherweight, but you don't want
17:16to face Volkanovski because you love him too much, and he's a very good fighter.
17:20If Diego Lopez wins this weekend, would you think about going up to featherweight?
17:26Oh, you put me in bad spot, my friend.
17:31Yeah, let's see.
17:33Let's see.
17:33First, I have to win against top opponents like Sean O'Malley.
17:37You know, like I said, he will have a different game plan.
17:39I have to win this, and I like Diego Lopez too, but I would like to fight him.
17:44But, but, but, but he has a, he, he's fighting Volkanovski.
17:50I think Volkanovski going to win tomorrow, even.
17:58Another one, Murab.
17:59In your last fight, you gave him some kisses.
18:02It was playful, but are you also prepared for Tim Welch to be in his corner calling out
18:07your name again, and some other dirty tactics?
18:10Yeah, this time I'll be, I'll be, I will ignore, you know.
18:17Now, no, I don't, let's see, let's see.
18:20Maybe more kisses, maybe, maybe, maybe a little bit slap to the ass.
18:25We'll see, but no, no.
18:27I'm talking like a khaki now.
18:29No, no, it's going to be good fight, guys.
18:31And I got to make sure I'm, I got to, I got to win.
18:35I got to win this fight.
18:36Sean O'Malley, he, like he said, he's going to be 70% better.
18:40And he, he quit lots of things, and let's see how it's going to help.
18:44We'll see.
18:45Question for Sean.
18:47Sean, Murab has the best cardio in the UFC.
18:50Are you going to do anything in particular to improve your cardio
18:53and keep up with Murab over five rounds?
18:55I mean, he does have great cardio.
18:59I did win two of the last three rounds that fight.
19:02I mean, according to the judges, sorry.
19:05Yeah, he's got great cardio.
19:08I'm working really hard.
19:09I'm excited to go out there and perform.
19:12I did.
19:14We got one more.
19:15We got one more up here.
19:18We got no more.
19:20What?
19:21Go ahead.
19:21All right, this is a question for Dana.
19:26Dana, I'm a 17-year-old kid, and I've flown all the way over from Australia
19:29because I wanted to prove myself worthy of being a new UFC interviewer.
19:35And I've interviewed all your biggest fighters, Israel Adesanya,
19:38Daniel Cormier, even Nina Drama, and everyone is sick of the media.
19:43Everyone is sick of being asked the same old questions.
19:46You're doing great, kid.
19:51Keep going.
19:51What do you got?
19:54I know the last time someone asked for opportunity at the press conference,
19:58it was a fighter.
19:59I think it's now time to give the opportunity to someone outside the octagon.
20:06He wants an opportunity.
20:08He gave an opportunity.
20:10Fighter last time?
20:11No, no, no, now he wants you to give it to me.
20:13U.S. U.S. U.S. U.S. U.S. U.S. U.S. U.S. U.S.
20:19But what is it?
20:21Who?
20:22Sorry?
20:23Did you say give somebody from the media?
20:26No, can I be a UFC interviewer?
20:27I've interviewed everyone.
20:28I think I'll be the best.
20:30I got it.
20:31I fucked up.
20:32I should have ended this thing five minutes ago.
20:35Yeah, come down here.
20:36We'll talk.
20:37Yes.
20:37We're going to rip this stuff out of here and do face-offs.
20:41We're going to rip this stuff out of here and do face-offs.
21:07We're going to rip this stuff out of here and do face-offs.
21:11We're going to rip this stuff out of here and do face-offs.
21:12We're going to rip this stuff out of here and do face-offs.
21:13We're going to rip this stuff out of here and do face-offs.
21:14We're going to rip this stuff out of here and do face-offs.
21:15We're going to rip this stuff out of here and do face-offs.
21:16We're going to rip this stuff out of here and do face-offs.
21:17We're going to rip this stuff out of here and do face-offs.
21:18We're going to rip this stuff out of here and do face-offs.
21:19We're going to rip this stuff out of here and do face-offs.
21:20We're going to rip this stuff out of here and do face-offs.
21:21We're going to rip this stuff out of here.
23:52He is a sniper, a master at knocking people unconscious.
23:57He's an absolute killer.
23:58And this is the toughest opponent he's ever fought.
24:03The Rob D'Wallishwili is a mauler.
24:06Incredible.
24:06When you watch him melt, guys, he's a machine.
24:09He literally is.
24:10D'Wallishwili is going to wrest the title away.
24:13And now!
24:15We will see that rematch.
24:16He's one of the best powerful power fighters on the planet.
24:26Sugar shot O'Malley!
24:27Legit knockout power.
24:29The queen is home, and she's coming for that goal!
24:36Kayla Harrison!
24:38She's such a beast.
24:39Juliana Peña!
24:41She's the best band of weight in the world.
24:42This is my belt.
24:43Come and get it.
24:44Two championship showdowns.
24:46Hang on!
24:54Hey!
24:55Three or five!
25:26What's going on, Manny?
25:36Pretty fiery and testy with the ladies out here a few minutes ago, huh?
25:40You guys enjoy that press conference, yeah?
25:43All right, so as you guys know, coming up top of the hour, we have our ceremonial weigh-in for UFC 314.
25:49I would like to hear some noise.
25:50How many of you believe Alexander Volkanovsky is going to regain the featherweight throne?
25:57All right, if you just made noise, you cannot now make noise for Diego Lopez, but who likes Diego Lopez?
26:07We think Patty Pimblitt takes Michael Chandler's ranking or what?
26:11All right, well, we are very excited for all of that, but right now it is my absolute privilege to bring out a very special guest.
26:21One of the hottest free agents in mixed martial arts is bringing his act to the big show in the UFC.
26:26Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome decorated wrestler, former Bellator fighter, now in the UFC where he belongs, Aaron Pico.
26:34I mean, how good does Aaron Pico look head to toe right now?
26:45It's great to see you, man.
26:46So this is very exciting for all of us in the UFC family to have you in the fold.
26:50I think a lot of us remember all the fanfare that accompanied your pro debut.
26:54So how excited are you to finally be here in the fold and to test your skills against the best fighters in the world?
26:59No, I'm super, super excited to be here.
27:02It's been a dream come true, but I've been saying it for a while.
27:07You know, I'm not here for a participation medal.
27:10I'm here to be the best in the world and become a UFC champion.
27:13So I know I got my work cut out for me, and I'm just so excited to be here in front of the fans.
27:19I'm new here, so take it easy on me, but we're going to have some fun.
27:22So in terms of your free agency, when you hear Dana White be asked about Aaron Pico and he says,
27:28I'm definitely interested, what is that moment like to hear him publicly say that for you and your family and your supporters?
27:35Yeah, it feels really good.
27:36I mean, Dana White is the best promoter in the world.
27:38The UFC is the biggest organization, and it just feels good to be here.
27:44You know, I can promise the fans one thing is I will put on the most exciting fights.
27:52If you go back and watch my knockouts, if you watch my past, I'm an exciting fighter, so.
27:58So Movsar Ievloyev was a name that it looked like might show up in your bracket.
28:03It does not appear that that fight is going to be May 17th, perhaps, because he was not ready nor willing.
28:08But what can you tell us about how soon we might see you in the octagon and why that maybe won't be the matchup?
28:12Yeah, both Movsar and I agreed to fight, and he's a very good fighter.
28:18And I was really excited for that because a lot of people don't realize that I grew up wrestling.
28:23I spent a lot of time in Dagestan, Chechnya, all over the world wrestling.
28:28So I was ready to fight Movsar, and it didn't happen for whatever reason.
28:32But hopefully in the near future, I could fight.
28:35I'd imagine you'll be with us tomorrow night, octagon side, watching one of the biggest nights in featherweight history, yes?
28:40Absolutely.
28:40All right.
28:41Well, we're happy to have you there.
28:42I believe we might have some microphones.
28:44Yeah, go ahead, Jose.
28:45So obviously, Aaron, people that have been covering this sport for a long time remember when you were signed to Bellator when you were 0-0.
28:51So I guess was this always the end goal?
28:53Because I even remember back then you would talk about how you looked up to George St. Pierre.
28:57You were training with John Jones and everything.
28:58So I guess was this always the end goal even back when you were in Bellator?
29:03Yeah, absolutely.
29:04The end goal was always to be in the UFC.
29:06And I think for any fighter just starting out, this is where they want to end up.
29:12I mean, they got the best fans in the world.
29:14I mean, just look around.
29:15Everybody's here.
29:15And I'm just, like I said, I'm just so excited to have the platform to show that I'm the best fighter in the world.
29:23And you guys are in for a treat.
29:25So let's get something booked soon.
29:28And obviously, you know, you said you and Movistar both agreed.
29:30A lot of people view him as the number one contender who could be fighting for the belt next.
29:34We don't always get a Q&A with newly signed free agents.
29:37So are you feeling the machine of the UFC behind you this early?
29:41Of course.
29:42I mean, to get Movistar right out the bat or just have that name, just I think the UFC knows I'm exciting.
29:50And I'm capable of becoming a UFC champion.
29:52So I got to be ready.
29:56You know, with all these free agents signings the last several years with Kayla, MVP, Michael Chandler,
30:01you know, they said the same thing where they know their fans that only watch the UFC.
30:05And maybe they didn't know Michael Chandler or Kayla Harris.
30:07So I'm curious, what has been the fan reaction and reception to the signing?
30:12I'm sorry, say that louder.
30:14What have you made of the fan reception and reaction to your signing?
30:17Because I'm sure there are people that have never watched Bellator and have only watched the UFC.
30:22Yeah, this is just, it's been crazy.
30:24When I, the news broke that I signed with the UFC, it's been a lot of media, a lot of attention.
30:30Good people, you know, some people say good things.
30:33Some people say bad things.
30:35But at the end of the day, just wait till I fight.
30:40Aaron, I know we had spoke earlier this week about you coming out here potentially.
30:44And here you are, I guess, going to the fights tomorrow night.
30:47What are you looking to take away from seeing the most elite featherweights in the UFC from up close and personal?
30:53I think it just gives me an opportunity to study.
30:55I mean, I'm a big student of the sport.
30:58To see them live is, I can learn a lot.
31:02And I think the biggest thing for me is just getting used to the atmosphere.
31:05I mean, coming from another organization, yeah, I fought in big crowds, but I never fought in front of UFC fans.
31:12They've been telling me that the UFC fans are a different breed, and they are.
31:17And since the signing, I mean, is there been anyone in your life that has come to you that's given you, like, a strong piece of advice about this next chapter?
31:25John Jones, anyone else on your team, coaches, anything like that?
31:27It does stay out of trouble.
31:37Question for Aaron.
31:39At Media Day, a lot of the featherweights had some really nice things to say about you as a human being and your skills as a fighter.
31:46Out of the UFC featherweight division, who do you see as your toughest matchups?
31:49That's a very good question.
31:53They all are tough, and the feeling is neutral from what they said.
31:59I have a lot of respect for them, but everybody's tough.
32:05Honestly, I don't have a clear answer for that one, to be honest with you.
32:09Fair enough.
32:10And one question for John Anik.
32:12If you could match up Aaron with anyone in the division, who would it be?
32:16Well, I want to let the dust settle this weekend, right?
32:19Because I have said that this fight card, Saturday night, not since Conor McGregor and Jose Otto,
32:24if we had a bigger night in the UFC's featherweight division with all these fighters competing.
32:28I like the Movsar Yavloya fight.
32:30I think that makes a lot of sense.
32:31But there are a lot of guys near the top of that division that I think would pique the interest of Mr. Pico.
32:36I'm just excited to see him knock a man out so I can drop a Pico at the top of my fucking lungs, if I'm being honest.
32:43All right.
32:44We got any more questions?
32:45Yes.
32:46Go ahead.
32:47Yes.
32:47Hey, Aaron.
32:48Welcome to the UFC.
32:50Given the fact that you have a wrestling background, but you've also trained with the likes of Freddie Roach,
32:56and you have a very boxing-heavy approach,
32:59seeing the success that Ilya Topuria had at the 145-pound division,
33:04how far do you think you can go, and how soon can you achieve that?
33:10I think I can be championed within a year.
33:12I know that's a bold prediction, but I truly feel it.
33:16Ask Freddie Roach.
33:18Ask Miguel Cotto.
33:20Ask Jose Ramirez, Ryan Garcia.
33:22They all know that I can box.
33:24And Topuria has really, really good hands, but I don't think it's at my level, if I'm just being completely honest.
33:32Your left hook to the body is one of your signature moves.
33:34How do you think that's going to help you in this division?
33:39Well, I think it will help in any division.
33:41Anytime you hit somebody in the liver and they go down, it will help you out.
33:46So, yeah, I'm really known for my hands, and that's what people like to see.
33:50They like to see people get basically demolished by punches, so that's what I'm here to do.
33:58The fact that Moffstar Evloev was mentioned, and it was a fight that was pretty much close to happening,
34:03it tells you the expectations the UFC had out of you.
34:07Does that bring extra pressure on you, given the fact that this is all so new,
34:11but you've been thrown into the Sharks so quickly?
34:17Yeah, that's a good question.
34:20It is what it is.
34:20Pressure is always there, so unless you don't like pressure, you're in the wrong sport, so.
34:31All right, I think that's going to do it.
34:33We are very excited to have this man in the UFC.
34:35They say pressure is a privilege.
34:37It's been on this man since his pro MMA debut.
34:39How about a hand for the newly-minted UFC featherweight, Aaron Pico?
34:48Okay, this is our podcast.
34:50One more sleeve, let's go!
34:54One more sleeve!
34:56Alexander Volkanovski, without a doubt, the most accomplished featherweight champion of all time.
35:00He really is a legend in the game.
35:03Diego Lopez!
35:04He has the chance to chase greatness.
35:06About to become a legend, you have to take one out.
35:09Iron Michael Chandler!
35:11I'll see you at the top!
35:12Paddy the Batty Pimlet!
35:14Outblown the roof off.
35:15The anticipation for UFC debuts does not get much bigger than this.
35:19Yair Rodriguez!
35:20This guy is so dangerous!
35:22Big fight field in Miami!
35:23Noobody!
35:40Weå¿… bleeding in Miami!
35:42We could force her to take one out.
35:45I can't believe I'd do this.