Monster Energy congratulates Aaron Pico on defeating James Gonzalez in the featherweight division fight at Bellator 295 in Honolulu, Hawaii, on Saturday night.
HONOLULU, Hawaii, April 25, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Welcome back! Monster Energy congratulates Aaron Pico on defeating James Gonzalez in the featherweight division fight at Bellator 295 in Honolulu, Hawaii, on Saturday night. In the main card fight, the 26-year-old from Whittier, California, went the distance for a unanimous decision win (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
BELLATOR 295: Stots vs. Mix was showcased in front of a high-energy crowd inside Neal S. Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu, Hawaii. The main card was broadcast live on Showtime, and the Monster Energy Prelims streamed live on YouTube. The event also aired live worldwide to U.S. service members on the American Forces Network (AFN).
Monster Energy's Pico (11-4) came to Honolulu after suffering a shoulder injury and loss due to a doctor stoppage against Jeremy Kennedy at Bellator 286 in October. Previously, the California native was on a six-fight victory streak. After undergoing shoulder surgery and rehabilitation, Pico was ready to return to the winner's column.
Pico's opponent on Saturday night, Gonzalez (10-6) came to Hawaii fresh off a first-round knockout victory over Vikas Singh Ruhil at the Professional Fighters League (PFL) Challenger Series 2023 event in March 2023. Gonzalez took Saturday night's fight as a late replacement for Otto Rodrigues.
As the fight got underway, it soon became apparent that Pico was back from injury, fully focused and teeming with raw power. Walking down his opponent across the Octagon, Pico delivered big shots to the head and body that did damage. Demonstrating his toughness, Gonzalez fired back with strategic kicks and breakthrough elbows in the clinch.
The second round saw Pico shift the focus to wrestling, pressuring Gonzalez and controlling the fight from the top while landing punishing body shots. Pico almost secured a finish after connecting a violent hook and raining punches from above, but Gonzalez returned to standing. Following a brutal knee, Pico ended the round with another takedown right before the bell.
Pico opened Round 3 by clutching an early takedown, but a relentless Gonzalez used upkicks to return to the feet. More punishment from Pico included a heavy uppercut and body shot, before slamming Gonzalez to the mat once again. After a clinch against the fence, Pico demonstrated his strategy and patience by evading kick attempts from Gonzalez. When all was said and done, the judges announced Pico the winner by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) for controlling the fight in every round.
"I was not underestimating him. He is a tough guy. He isn't no scrub. Thank you for taking the fight on a week's notice!" said Monster Energy's Pico upon winning at Bellator 295 in Hawaii.
Following Saturday's win, Pico is ranked third in Bellator MMA's 145-pound division. His record stands at eleven victories in 14 fights, including nine wins earned by stoppage: two submissions and seven knockouts. He ties Patricio "Pitbull" Freire's record for most knockouts in the featherweight division and is ready to take a shot at the Bellator Featherweight World Championship title.
"I think it's time for me to fight for a world championship. Come on, Scott Coker, give me a shot. I'm not going to be a good champion. I'm going to be a great champion," said Pico in Hawaii.
Pico previously competed as a wrestler and earned the title of Cadet World Champion and was also a two–time Junior World Championship medalist. He made his Bellator debut in 2017 and trains at Jackson Wink MMA Academy in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Aaron Pico counts amongst Monster Energy's elite MMA athletes along with Sergio Pettis, Johnny Eblen, Gaston Bolanos, Phil Davis, Valerie Loureda, Kamaru Usman, A.J. McKee, Juan Archuleta, Leah McCourt, Joey Davis,, Douglas Lima, Erik Perez, James Gallagher, ], Austin Vanderford, Jon "Bones" Jones, Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone, Jorge "Gamebred" Masvidal, Chris "The All American" Weidman, Rose Namajunas, Tony Ferguson, Marlon Vera, Joanna Jędrzejczyk, Maycee "The Future" Barber, Paulo "The Eraser" Costa, Stipe "Stone Cold" Miocic, Michael Chandler, Justin Gaethje, Jessica-Rose Clark, Valentina Shevchenko, Sean "Suga" O'Malley, Brandon Moreno, Daniel Rodriguez, Alex Pereira, Punahele Soriano, Gilbert Burns, Giga "Ninja" Chikadze, and Islam Makhachev.
For more on Monster Energy's MMA athletes, visit http://www.monsterenergy.com. Follow Monster Energy on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.
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About Monster Energy
Based in Corona, California, Monster Energy is the leading marketer of energy drinks and alternative beverages. Refusing to acknowledge the traditional, Monster Energy supports the scene and sport. Whether motocross, off-road, NASCAR, MMA, BMX, surf, snowboard, ski, skateboard, or the rock and roll lifestyle, Monster Energy is a brand that believes in authenticity and the core of what its sports, athletes and musicians represent. More than a drink, it's the way of life lived by athletes, sports, bands, believers, and fans. See more about Monster Energy including all of its drinks at http://www.monsterenergy.com.
Media Contact
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