Aaron Pico proud of measured UFC 327 performance: 'I get emotional'

TL;DR

Aaron Pico secured a unanimous decision victory over Patricio Freire at UFC 327, opting for a measured fighting style instead of seeking a knockout. Pico expressed pride in his performance, emphasizing the importance of staying calm and using strategy in the octagon.

MIAMI – Aaron Pico didn't get a highlight-reel finish in his return to the octagon, and he's glad he didn't.

Pico (14-5 MMA, 1-1 UFC) picked up a unanimous decision win over former Bellator two-division champion Patricio Freire (37-9 MMA, 1-2 UFC) at UFC 327 on Saturday. It was somewhat of a new approach for Pico, who fought measuredly and didn't press on getting a knockout despite having "Pitbull" hurt several times during the fight. This was a calculated approach, and one that's here to stay for Pico.

"The game plan for this fight was to be long and use my footwork," Pico said at the UFC 327 post-fight press conference. "He's a big counter guy. And don't get emotional. You look at all my fights when I get emotional and I take some heavy shots. That's why I laugh when people say I don't have a chin. It's unfortunate and just sometimes sh*t luck that the big shots that I've taken have been in really, really bad positions because I get emotional and put myself in bad positions. I think anybody would go out from the shots that I've taken. I just have to be smart and use my skills."

Pico, who entered MMA as one of the biggest prospects of his generation, has suffered several knockout losses throughout his career. Pico believes those have been a form of self-sabotage, as he couldn't help himself, but fight irresponsibly. He will always be down for a brawl, but now only if needed.

"I still have that dog in me, but I want to keep him locked up unless one day, maybe in the fifth round, I have to go, I have to throw," Pico said. "But if I'm winning a fight, I took him down, and I'm landing my shots, why do I have to get a knockout? The knockout will come. That's been the whole approach this fight camp: Just let it come. In sparring, if I got two takedowns, coach Roberto would say, 'Be smart. Use your jab. Stick and move.' How I spar is exactly how I fought tonight, and I'm happy, honestly."

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Aaron Pico proud of measured UFC 327 performance: 'I get emotional'

Q&A

What was Aaron Pico's fight strategy at UFC 327?

Aaron Pico's strategy at UFC 327 was to fight measuredly, utilizing his footwork and avoiding emotional responses that could lead to risky situations.

Who did Aaron Pico defeat at UFC 327 and what was the outcome?

Aaron Pico defeated former Bellator champion Patricio Freire by unanimous decision at UFC 327.

How has Aaron Pico's fighting style evolved over his career?

Aaron Pico's fighting style has evolved to focus on calculated approaches rather than seeking knockouts, as he aims to avoid emotional decisions that have led to past knockout losses.