Lerone Murphy views Aaron Pico UFC 319 co-main event at No. 1 contender fight
The bout serves as the co-feature of UFC 319 (ESPN+ pay-per-view) at United Center, and Murphy (16-0-1 MMA, 8-0-1 UFC) is taking it as if he's fighting a top 5 opponent, even though Pico (13-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) has never fought in the promotion.
"I don't think rankings have anything to do with it," Murphy told reporters at media day. "Most of the time, they don't mean anything. So, everybody knows his level in the world, and he's got a big name, so for me, he's ranked No. 3, or wherever. That's how I'm looking at it. He's a solid opponent and a great matchup."
Pico is the latest big name to come from the Bellator-PFL banner. Others who recently made the same move such as Patricio Freire and Patchy Mix, did not have success in their debuts. The infamous "octagon jitters" may have been a factor in their UFC debut setbacks, but Murphy isn't counting on that being the case with Pico.
"Everybody is different, everybody handles pressure differently as well," Murphy said. "So, I'm not banking on that to happen, but it's a possibility. This is the biggest show in the world, and what an arena to make your debut. So yeah, that could play a factor. It could be a factor. This is the place to be, the UFC.
"... You go back to the likes of Patchy Mix and stuff like that, I just think that comes down to matchup. Also, these other guys that have come over that have not performed may not have been in their prime. I think Aaron Pico's in his prime. So, I expect to see the best version of him."
With a win, Murphy will have secured his second win in 2025, and his ninth overall under the UFC banner. Currently ranked No. 6 by the promotion in the featherweight division, Murphy believes a win here will elevate him to a shot against Alexander Volkanovski, because Pico was set to fight No. 1 contender Movsar Evloev before his withdrawal.
"Beating Aaron Pico is going to put me in that No. 1 contender spot," Murphy said. "He was supposed to fight Movsar, like you know, and Movsar got hurt or sick or whatever happened. So, I'm the replacement now. This is a No. 1 contender fight."
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