Aaron Pico explains why he had no problem facing unranked opponent on crucial UFC 333 card

Aaron Pico wants to become a UFC champion, and though the fastest route to get there is facing higher-ranked opposition to climb into title contention, it’s not the only route.

The 30-year-old featherweight was set up for that at UFC 333 when he was matched up with perennial top-10 fighter Arnold Allen, but the fight barely got put together before a change was made. Allen was out, and he was being replaced by rising prospect Losene Keita, who just recently scored his first UFC win.

Rather than complain or turn down the offer, Pico didn’t blink and accepted immediately.

“I just roll with the punches,” Pico told MMA Fighting. “What am I ranked in the UFC? No. 12 or something like that? I’m not even sure. All I’m focused on is being a champion. That’s what I’m focused on. So whoever I have to fight.

“A lot of guys are like, ‘I need to protect this, I need to fight a guy that’s above me.’ I have a different approach. If I’m not champion, then I just need to fight whoever. Even when you are champion, you’re fighting the best guys in the world. It doesn’t really matter to me. I’m focused on getting to the top. I’m taking this as a new challenge.”

Pico believes that his “anyone, any time, anywhere” style of philosophy is exactly the kind of mentality he’ll need as champion one day.

Once he captures a UFC belt, Pico knows he’ll be facing the best of the best in every title defense, so why should he start handpicking fights now?

“One day when I am champion, and they’re like, ‘you’re fighting a guy with a lot of power in his hands.’ OK, no problem,” Pico said. “We know what our playbook is. We know what we need to do and we just need the reps. I need to make the walk as much as I possibly can to get to the top.”

While Arnold’s resume is far more established, Pico doesn’t take anything away from Keita and his abilities inside the cage.

Pico carries that same demeanor into every fight.

“Every fight is dangerous,” Pico said. “I don’t care if you’re fighting a guy off the street that has no experience. There’s always a puncher’s chance. I take every fight serious. I’ve lost before, so I know how crucial any one bad decision in the cage can cost you.

“We just have to be ready for everybody, and this is just another challenge.”

Regardless of opponent, Pico was also determined to share a card with UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, who headlines the event in his title defense against Movsar Evloev.

Pico aspires to win gold in the UFC, and if Volkanovski retains the belt and continues on with his career, it’s a potential matchup for the explosive former Bellator fighter. But Pico also admires Volkanovski, and he’s excited to share the same space with him on Saturday.

“Honestly, it’s just going to be awesome to fight a Volkanovski card,” Pico said. “He’s the best featherweight of all time. I don’t know how many more fights he has left, but to be on a card with him is an honor. I’m ready to take on this challenge. Of course, if anything happens in the main event, I’ll be there. I would love to fight for the title, but I’m just solely focused on this guy.

“My dad and I talk about Volkanovski a lot because when we go into practice and things like that, we want to get to that level. He’s a big fan of Volkanovski.”