Rumored Evloev vs Pico in Abu Dhabi, July 26

[JKS]

I don't know much about Pico but I'd prefer if he were matched up against an easier opponent to start his UFC run. Odds are Movsar is going to beat him pretty easily and that's just not a great start to a UFC career - better to start against like #10-15 ranked fighters

This is among the worse fights they can give Evloev. Pico is no push over and a very good fighter. Very strong wrestling background, he was one win away from making the US olympic team, he beat out like 3 NCAA national champions. And he's solid BB in BJJ, his grappling is not notch. And he's even more dangerous standing, he's got dam good boxing, big power.

Evloev is gonna have his hands full here

 

[volcom5]

Have been hearing rumors about this fight for a long time, but it seems to be legit.
Amazing fight, but what the hell is this matchmaking

Evloev should be getting a title shot in honesty, Pico vs Lerone, Sterling or Allen would’ve been good(I didn’t look up if these are booked by the way), Pico should be fighting someone in the top 10, not top 5, imo.

 

[svmr_db]

He’s also gotten absolutely washed against other minor leaguers… building up his confidence with a steady string of cans is good for Bellator but does nothing for the actual MMA fanbase.

Who has Pico actually beat? I don’t think he’s beaten a single top 50 guy in his career.

Who was he supposed to beat? He would've beaten Pitbull if he got the opportunity.

As others have mentioned the Kennedy "loss" doesn't mean shit, and those two bad knockout losses happened when he was 22. He's an outstanding talent and I'm sure he'll do great during his time in the UFC.

 

[Last Falconry]

Pico is 1-1 against Henry Corrales. people might be overthinking this a bit

 

[Chayanne]

UFC is doing everything to prevent Evloev from fighting for the title, unbelievable.

 

[Meathead Jock]

Pico is 1-1 against Henry Corrales. people might be overthinking this a bit

He was 22 and less than a year and a half after his first ever fight. He clearly worked him over more recently.

 

[Khaosan]

If they’re not going to give Evloev the shot they should have done the Lopes rematch.

Pico via liver hook just to shake the division up.

 

[scytheavatar]

This is among the worse fights they can give Evloev. Pico is no push over and a very good fighter. Very strong wrestling background, he was one win away from making the US olympic team, he beat out like 3 NCAA national champions. And he's solid BB in BJJ, his grappling is not notch. And he's even more dangerous standing, he's got dam good boxing, big power.

Evloev is gonna have his hands full here

Evloev already beat Aljo.............. I think it will be an uphill task to suggest Pico is a better wrestler than Aljo.

 

[JKS]

Evloev already beat Aljo.............. I think it will be an uphill task to suggest Pico is a better wrestler than Aljo.

It's a very different match up, he beat a one dimensional Aljo who offered nothing more than grappling, it was a very close fight. The difference here is that Pico, who is on the level of Aljo wrestling, has a big advantage striking. Pico actually has very good boxing and big power. So besides the wrestling, Elvoev needs to worry about a bigger threat and that is Pico's hands.

Aljo fought fire with fire and attempted to grapple against Evloev. Pico will likely use his wrestling defensively to keep the fight standing and use his hands as offense. He's got a big edge there.

 

[burningspear]

imagine he murks pico but still gets passed over ?

 

[PlayTheGame]

Evloev already beat Aljo.............. I think it will be an uphill task to suggest Pico is a better wrestler than Aljo.

In terms of wrestling accomplishments, he's leagues above Aljo.

He was one win away from making the Olympic team in a very competitive weight class. Aljo was a Div III All-American.

We'll see how it translates though; I don't think he's gonna ragdoll Evloev, but the plan is probably to defend takedowns and keep it standing.

 

[kingmob6]

Evloev is on the khabib, islam, belal, ankalaev ladder climbing to a title shot. He is getting that " dagestani" privilege from ufc. He will win and force their hand. They wont be able to stop him after this fight.

 

[humdizzle]

ufc fighting for diversity

merab, evloev, topuria, makhachev, khamzat, ankalaev

there is the potential for the UFC main weight classes to all be dominated by caucus region fighters.

 

[DudeBroMMA]

imagine he murks pico but still gets passed over ?

They can claim his last win was against an unranked opponent lol

 

[DudeBroMMA]

I think Pico takes it. He fought like a dumbass (very Chandler like) and chose to swang and bang. But you cant deny that he's incredibly skilled and athletically gifted. Very likely Pico can neutralize the wresting of Evloev and he should have a big advantage in the boxing. Tough match up for both.

This match makes 0 sense but its a super fun fight.

 

[svmr_db]

 

[sdpdude9]

Obvious #1 contender gets a debuting mostly unproven guy and we get a pointless rematch of a one sided fight nobody wants. Absolute nonsense. Absolute shit matchmaking.

 

[jeskola]

Pico has never fought a 5-rounder. Evloev will grind him out over 5 rounds no problem.

 

[NicholasJBasile]

5 round co-main per sources.

Honestly Yair getting the title shot is one of the dummest title shots ever.

Intriguing matchup thought. Very intriguing.

I'm not saying I won't watch the fight, but the match up makes no sense. Pico hasn't earned that fight imo.

 

[Rektkid]

I have to disagree. I think Pico is bad matchup for Evloev, he has real power on the feet and should be able to atleast counter wrestle Evloev.

Or not, Evloev could just steamroll him.

Agree, this is stylistically a very touch matchup for Evloev. I think Evloev has a much better chance of beating Volk and would beat Yair handedly BUT Pico is closer to a 50/50.