A UFC newcomer has suggested that Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev aren’t even among the top 50 best wrestlers. The fighter put forth a detailed assessment to support his claim.
UFC Rookie Feels Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev Aren’t Even Among the Top 50 Best Wrestlers
Aaron Pico, a former Bellator fighter, recently signed with the UFC. The decorated amateur wrestler, who also boasts a background in amateur boxing, is expected to compete in the UFC featherweight division. He was linked to a potential fight against 145-pound elite Movsar Evloev for his maiden octagon appearance.
During a recent appearance on the “Pound 4 Pound” podcast, hosted by ex-UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman and former two-division UFC titleholder Henry Cejudo, Pico discussed various topics. He notably expressed his confidence about beating Evloev, a grappling savant who hails from Russia’s Caucasus region, akin to fighters like Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev.
Recalling his familiarity with Dagestan, Pico stated, “Dagestan has incredible wrestlers, I mean, the highest level. But what a lot of fans and people don’t know about me, ’cause they just don’t know, is I spent a lot of time in Dagestan, wrestling from like 16 to like 19 … I was in Makhachkala, Khasavyurt, Ossetia … And then, Chechnya, I just go there to — there was a couple of wrestling tournaments there.”
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Moreover, Pico then turned his attention to Dagestan’s retired MMA legend and ex-UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, as well as Nurmagomedov’s friend and current UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev. He implied that the two fighters had adapted their wrestling well to the sport of MMA, but they weren’t even in the top 50 in the sport of wrestling in Dagestan.
Pico explained, “But yeah, I wrestled a lot there, so I got to see the highest level. I mean, Islam and Khabib are like great wrestlers. They really are, like, you know, MMA wrestling. But where they come from, what people don’t realize, where they come from, they’re not at the highest level at all. Like, I’m talking about the Abdulrashids, the Gadisovs, the best wrestlers. Like, they’re not even in the top, maybe top 30, and top 50.”
He subsequently added, “So basically, what I’m saying is that I’ve seen Dagestan and wrestling — and I know MMA is different — but I’m a really good wrestler too. So let’s fight.”
The UFC is yet to announce the potential fight between Aaron Pico and Movsar Evloev. As such, Pico’s UFC debut opponent and date remain shrouded in mystery. He hasn’t competed since a TKO victory against Henry Corrales in February 2024. The American is expected to make his UFC promotional debut sometime this year.
On the other hand, Islam Makhachev’s most recent fight witnessed him successfully defend his UFC lightweight championship by submitting Renato Moicano in a short-notice matchup in Jan. 2025. Makhachev has lately been linked to a long-awaited grudge match against former UFC Featherweight Champion Ilia Topuria, who’s been on a quest to dethrone Makhachev and capture the lightweight belt. Their fight hasn’t been officially announced.