Photo: Lucas Noonan/BELLATOR MMA
Aaron Pico Injury Update After Bellator 286
“He’s in good spirits.” -Bellator MMA President Scott Coker
Aaron Pico’s shoulder popped out of place during his fight against Jeremy Kennedy at Bellator 286. The injury seemed to have occurred in the first round after Kennedy went to try and bring Pico to the mat but to the exact moment, only Pico would know that. Although, he probably wouldn’t tell you if it meant calling off the fight.
The fight would be the second TKO due to an injury at Bellator 286 with the first being Richard Palencia’s leg break during the opening bout of the event.
During the broadcast, there was concern from the ringside physician that Pico’s clavicle may have been broken towards the point where it connects to the shoulder. Of course, a thorough examination would need to be done, which Pico had no time for. Between rounds, Pico’s corner did their best to pop it back in so he could enter the second round but the fight was called off to err on the side of caution.
Bellator MMA President, Scott Coker said in his post-event media scrum, “ Aaron was looking really good up until the point where his shoulder popped and then the tide turned. He started taking damage and I think the doctor was correct in stopping the fight.” Coker underlined that safety has to take precedence over the fighters will and heart to compete. He added, “We don’t want Aaron to get hurt, we don’t want anyone to get hurt.”
Towards the end of his time with the media, Coker was handed an update on Pico and read, “Aaron’s shoulder popped back in, it’s not broken. He’s seeing a specialist Tuesday and wants a rematch right away, and he’s in good spirits.”
Coker also said because of how the fight ended a rematch would have to happen as well so depending on what the specialist sees on Tuesday, fans might get to see that one again sooner rather than later.
