Aaron Pico vs. Shane Krutchen Set For Bellator 192
Aaron Pico vs. Shane Krutchen Set For Bellator 192
Aaron Pico's third scrap inside the Bellator MMA cage is set. Here's who he'll face -- and when.
Aaron Pico looks to bump his professional fight record above .500 on Jan. 20, when he faces Shane Krutchen at Bellator 192 inside The Forum in Inglewood, California.
Krutchen and his camp confirmed the matchup to FloCombat early Thursday morning, while MyMMANews also reported the matchup.
ATTENTION, ALL HANDS ON DECK??
— Shane Kruchten (@SKRUCHTENMMA) December 21, 2017
Here is the news you all have been waiting for!!!!!!!
Contract is signed, I’m on the Main Card at The Forum at my new home in @bellatormma! January 20th !!!!!!!!! #Bellator192 @UpgradeMG @FloCombat @MMAjunkieJohn @MMARoasted @BloodyElbow
What was @SKRUCHTENMMA signing while he was Guest of Honor for the #USMC Ball, you ask?
— Amanda Earley (@aMMAndaPR) December 21, 2017
His contract with @BellatorMMA...
To fight @AaronPicoUSA...
January 20 at @theforum!! #WarRhino is BACK!! #AMEPublicity pic.twitter.com/5rP8pBO8P0
Pico (1-1) has had a Jekyll and Hyde career thus far inside the cage. In his hotly anticipated debut against Zach Freeman at Bellator NYC in June, Pico was submitted just 24 seconds into round one, slowing his hype train considerably.
In his second fight, Pico more than made up for that disappointment. Taking on Justin Linn at Bellator 183 in September, Pico notched one of the most ferocious knockouts of the year, showcasing exactly why everyone was so excited to see him compete in the first place.
With a perfect left, Pico shut out Linn's lights and set the internet on fire.
Ladies and gentlemen...@AaronPicoUSA #Bellator183 pic.twitter.com/kp5mHl7pfS
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) September 24, 2017
Now, the boxing and wrestling stud faces Krutchen, a Bellator newcomer, at Bellator 192. At 12-3, the Marine veteran Krutchen boasts significantly more cage time than Pico, and he'll look to put that experience to good use.
Krutchen last competed in December 2016, defeating Jeremy Mahon via unanimous decision at World Series of Fighting 34. Of Krutchen's 12 career victories, nine have come via knockout or submission.
Bellator 192 is headlined by a welterweight title fight between champion Douglas Lima and challenger Rory MacDonald. The card also features a Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix matchup between Chael Sonnen and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, a high-profile tilt between Michael Chandler and Goti Yamauchi, and much more, making it a can't-miss show to kick off Bellator's 2018 slate.