Overview

• Pico is set to make his UFC debut against undefeated Lerone Murphy in the co-main event of UFC 319 on August 16 at Chicago’s United Center.
• He has intensified his preparation under Greg Jackson, Mike Winkeljohn and Hall of Fame boxing coach Freddie Roach, with supplemental wrestling sessions led by Henry Cejudo.
• At UFC 319 media day, Pico and featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski traded barbs, as Volkanovski claimed he would “mop the floor” with Pico and Pico warned, “Your time is coming.”
• Murphy enters at 16-0-1, a record Pico respects as evidence of Murphy’s toughness and a benchmark for proving his own UFC readiness.
• While UFC officials have made no formal title promise, Pico says a win over Murphy would position him for immediate featherweight title contention.