Aaron Pico Discusses Bouncing Back From His First Loss at Bellator 183

MMA fighter Aaron Pico spoke to reporters in a post-fight media scrum after his win at Bellator 183 (via MMAjunkie). Pico defeated Justin Linn by knockout in the first round, bouncing back from his 24-second loss to Zach Freeman in Pico’s professional MMA debut. Below are some highlights from the scrum.

Pico on getting his first MMA win at Bellator 183: “I felt so good. Training went so good, everything went well (before Bellator 180). But the biggest thing for me is, I was going everywhere. And I didn’t have that team where I was at. So, to be honest with you, I think it was – it might sound kind of funny, but I’m glad that happened to me. Because I wouldn’t be with Antonio McKee at the BodyShop with all those guys. I wouldn’t be there probably”

Pico on losing at Madison Square Garden: “A lot of people like to kick you when you’re down, especially after Madison Square Garden. I got a lot of stuff, people ‘You suck,’ this or that. First one to call me and want to help me was Antonio. So I said, ‘You know what? I’m going to go with Antonio.’ Those guys at the BodyShop: A.J. McKee (Antonio’s son), Joey Davis, Baby Slice. I clicked well with them.”

Pico on having KO power: “I always knew my hands are powerful. I’m not being cocky, but there’s a lot. I spar with the best boxers in the world. I go with the best guys in the world at Team Body Shop with A.J. McKee and all, so I’m confident in my ability. The biggest thing this whole camp was just to relax. And, once I relaxed, my skills were going to show.”

Pico on getting over his loss: “June 24th, Madison Square Garden, was one of the most embarrassing days of my life. It took me a while to just soak it all in. I couldn’t believe it actually happened. But I said, you know what? Excuse my language – I said, ‘(expletive) this, I’m coming back. I’m coming back.’ I woke up every day, and I was just on a mission with Antonio McKee. ‘I will show them, I will come back.’ And I still have that chip on my shoulder. I will be world champion. I would be 0-5 and still trying to be world champion. I will be world champion, or I will die trying. That’s my mindset.”