by Ryan Tavera

Bellator 238 saw Cris Cyborg, one of the most feared fighters, with another historic finish and former Brave Aaron Pico with a full head of steam and an intense finish to end the night.

The main event featured Cris Cyborg defeating her opponent Julia Budd in the fourth round by TKO to win Bellator women’s featherweight title. 

The title was not easily won though as Julia Budd put up a very impressive fight against Cyborg. She was able to outmuscle Cyborg at times in the early rounds. By the third, though it was all Cyborg’s fight. She finished the round on top of Budd raining down blow after blow. And in the fourth, the Brazilian buzz saw kicked it into full gear and let loose with a brutal combo that left Budd toppled on the mat. It was a familiar finish for most fans of Cyborg who once loved to watch her in the octagon of UFC with similar excitable finishes. 

Post-fight Cyborg (22-2, 1 NC)  said she felt “really happy to have the opportunity to make history,” and has now finished 18 of her 22 victories by KO/TKO. Her only loss since 2005 was a knockout via Nunes in the UFC. Julia Budd who lost her title is anything but discouraged stating “I’ll be back stronger,” so it is clear that Cyborg has her work cut out for her if she wants to hold the featherweight title. 

The evolution of Aaron Pico continued on Saturday night as well with the 23-year-old prospect getting back in the win column with a vicious one-punch knockout over Daniel Carey.

Former Bosco student Aaron Pico left it all in the cage at Bellator 238 in what was an incredible display of power against his opponent Daniel Carey. Aaron Pico returned to The Forum, back home in the Los Angeles area, looking to shake off back-to-back knockout losses. 

Aaron Pico was a former wrestler at St. John Bosco, where he beat his opponent Paul Fox in 2013 to win the CIF State Championship for 132lbs. Pico continued his love for martial arts by joining the US National freestyle wrestling team when he qualified for the Olympic trials in 2016 at 19 years of age. No teenager had made the freestyle National team for 40 years. 

Pico is currently 5-3 coming of his last fight with a win. Pico headed into the fight with a full head of steam, he seemed more patient this time around and displayed all that he had to offer. 

Pico’s grade-A wrestling made an appearance in the first round followed by accurate striking and powerful blows that ended the night in the second. Only 15 seconds into the second round Aaron Pico saw his opportunity and struck quick and powerful in a single left-hand that took Daniel Carey off his feet and on the mat.  

In Picos post-fight interview he seemed ecstatic about his victory and noted he felt “very very humbled I’m very happy, I’m happy that’s all I can say.” This victory does not come without sacrifice though as Pico wanted to let his opponents know just how hard he works.

“I just want to let my opponents know when they’re feeling lazy and I don’t want to do this just know that I’m in Albuquerque and I’m training every day that I wake up so just know that,” says Pico.

Pico is definitely one of the hardest workers in MMA and we will look forward to seeing his career continue to play out.

The full results of the Bellator 238 card went down like this thanks to Sherdog.