MMA Match Preview: Aaron Pico (13-4) vs. Lerone Murphy (16-0-1)

Fight Details

Attribute	Info
Event	UFC 319: Du Plessis vs. Chimaev
Matchup	Aaron Pico vs. Lerone Murphy
Division	Featherweight (145 lbs)
Date	Saturday, August 16, 2025
Venue	United Center, Chicago, IL
Broadcast	ESPN+, Pay-Per-View
Bout Placement	Co-Main Event

Fighter Breakdown

Aaron Pico

Record: 13–4 (UFC debut)

Age: 28

Height/Reach: 5’8″ / 70″

Recent Form: 3-fight win streak, all first-round TKOs in Bellator

Style: Elite wrestler with explosive boxing

Key Traits:

Olympic-level wrestling pedigree

Brutal body shots and finishing instincts

Mental toughness and willingness to “go deep” in violent exchanges

Lerone “The Miracle” Murphy

Record: 16–0–1 (8–0–1 UFC)

Age: 33

Height/Reach: 5’9″ / 73″

Recent Form: Wins over Josh Emmett, Dan Ige, Edson Barboza

Style: Well-rounded striker with sharp counters

Key Traits:

Undefeated with high fight IQ

Excellent footwork and timing

Resilient under pressure and durable chin

Tactical Preview

Pico’s Path to Victory:

Mix takedowns with aggressive boxing combinations

Pressure Murphy early and test his defensive grappling

Make it a gritty, high-paced fight

Murphy’s Path to Victory:

Use reach and movement to frustrate Pico

Counter Pico’s entries with straight shots and knees

Stay composed and drag the fight into deeper rounds

“I want him to step out of the Octagon and say, ‘I never want to fight Aaron Pico ever again,’” Pico said.
Murphy responded: “It’s a big test, big risk, and big reward”.

Rankings & Implications

Fighter	Featherweight Rank (Global)
Lerone Murphy	#6
Aaron Pico	Unranked (UFC debut)

This bout is widely considered a title eliminator

A win for Murphy could earn him a shot at the winner of Volkanovski vs. Topuria

A win for Pico would be a seismic debut and instantly launch him into the top 10