Pico names Murphy rematch and Sterling fight as targets after UFC 333 knockout

Aaron Pico has named Lerone Murphy and the winner of the Kevin Vallejos–Aljamain Sterling fight as his preferred next opponents after stopping Losene Keita in the first round at UFC 333, but the featherweight contender says he has no intention of being selective about who he faces next.

Pico was originally scheduled to meet ranked veteran Arnold Allen at the event before the matchup changed to Keita, a prospect with just two UFC appearances. The switch did not bother Pico, who delivered a vicious knockout to move to 2-1 inside the octagon and now has his sights set on climbing the featherweight rankings.

“I think anybody ahead of me in the ranking,” Pico told MMA Fighting. “I’m definitely going to be watching the Aljamain [Sterling] fight very closely. That’s always a possibility. But Lerone Murphy, I’d love to fight him as well. I have no hard feelings against him other than he beat me, and I’d love to avenge that loss.”

Murphy knocked Pico out in his octagon debut, making a potential rematch a compelling storyline in the division. Pico acknowledged he fought poorly that night but said the defeat ultimately brought positive changes to his career.

“We’ll see how the Kevin Vallejos and Aljamain Sterling fight goes and if everything goes smooth and no injuries with those guys, maybe that’s a possibility of fighting the winner of that,” Pico added. “Can’t have that, I’d love to run it back with Lerone Murphy. We’ll have to see.”

Despite naming specific targets, Pico was emphatic that he will not turn down a fight simply because an opponent lacks a ranking or does not represent the most logical step up the ladder. He described accepting the Keita bout — a high-risk, low-reward assignment by most assessments — as consistent with a broader philosophy he has held throughout his career.

“I don’t really look at the rankings or anything like that,” he said. “I’m truly in the mindset I’m after one thing and that’s to be the best fighter in the world and fight the best in the world. When I’m 60 years old in my rocking chair at my ranch, I want to be able to say I fought whoever they threw at me. I really don’t give a shit.”

Pico, a former Bellator fighter who made his name as a teenage prodigy with a background in Olympic-level wrestling, has spoken openly about his long-term goal of winning a UFC title. His willingness to accept any opponent, he argues, is the fastest route to proving he belongs among the division’s elite rather than maneuvering for a favourable record.