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'Bellator 180' at Madison Square Garden adds Aaron Pico for young prospect's pro debut

Two years after signing with Bellator, wrestling phenom Aaron Pico is set for his professional debut.

Pico (0-0 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) has been added to the Spike-televised “Bellator 180” card on June 24 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, president Scott Coker told ESPN.com on Thursday. A Bellator official confirmed his addition to MMAjunkie.

An opponent for the 20-year-old Pico is expected to be announced soon.

As previously reported, Bellator 180 serves as the lead-in for the pay-per-view “Bellator NYC,” the promotion’s second event on pay TV.

A decorated high school wrestler and former Golden Gloves champ from Whittier, Calif., Pico signed a development deal with Zinkin Entertainment and Sports Management, which has managed the careers of several top UFC stars training out of American Kickboxing Academy.

Although his career was pointed toward MMA, Pico’s initial goal was to make the 2016 Olympic wrestling team. He fell short, failing to make the team with a loss in the finals of a tournament this past April.

“Simply put, Aaron has all the makings of MMA’s next great superstar, and to have him here at Bellator is something special,” Bellator President Scott Coker stated in late 2014 after the promotion signed Pico. “Like many of us in the MMA community, Aaron is someone we’ve been watching closely over the last few years … I’m excited to see what Aaron is going to be able to do in our cage …”

With the addition, the “Bellator: NYC” and “Bellator 180” lineup now includes:

“Bellator: NYC”

  • Wanderlei Silva vs. Chael Sonnen
  • Fedor Emelianenko vs. Matt Mitrione
  • Champ Douglas Lima vs. Lorenz Larkin – for welterweight title
  • Champ Michael Chandler vs. Brent Primus – for lightweight title

“Bellator 180”

  • Aaron Pico vs. TBA

For more on “Bellator NYC” and “Bellator 180”, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.

Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with fans of mixed martial arts.

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