Patricio Freire Expects Pico's Chin to Be Vulnerable at UFC 327

Former Bellator standouts Freire and Pico set to square off in featured prelim bout.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 3:20pm

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A cubist, fragmented painting depicting the dynamic movements and clashing of two UFC fighters in the midst of an intense match, with their forms broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and geometric shapes.The upcoming clash between former Bellator champions Freire and Pico promises to be an explosive, geometrically-fractured battle in the Octagon.Today in Miami

Patricio Freire, a former Bellator champion, believes that Aaron Pico's chin will be a weakness when the two fighters meet in the featured prelim bout at UFC 327 in Miami. Pico has been knocked out several times in his career, and Freire is preparing for whatever version of Pico shows up, whether it's a more cautious grappler or a brawler.

Why it matters

This matchup between two former Bellator standouts is an intriguing one, as both fighters are looking to make a statement in the UFC. Pico's tendency to get knocked out has been a concern, and Freire believes he can exploit that vulnerability to secure a victory.

The details

Freire (37-8 MMA, 1-1 UFC) and Pico (13-5 MMA, 0-1 UFC) will square off in the featured prelim bout at UFC 327, which takes place at the Kaseya Center in Miami. Pico was knocked out cold in his UFC debut against Lerone Murphy at UFC 319 in August, and has since been working on making some changes. However, Freire believes that Pico's chin is a 'fatal flaw' and that he will be prepared for whatever version of Pico shows up, whether it's a more cautious grappler or a brawler.

  • Pico was knocked out in his UFC debut at UFC 319 in August 2026.
  • UFC 327 will take place on April 12, 2026 in Miami, Florida.

The players

Patricio Freire

A former Bellator champion who is now competing in the UFC, with a professional record of 37-8.

Aaron Pico

A former Bellator standout who is now competing in the UFC, with a professional record of 13-5. Pico has been knocked out several times in his career.

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What they’re saying

“I'm ready for whatever kind of Aaron Pico shows up in there. Maybe he'll be more cautious because he got knocked out. Maybe he's going to go in there and just want to brawl. I'm prepared for whatever version.”

— Patricio Freire, UFC Fighter

“I hope he trained a lot of defense because he usually doesn't defend shit.”

— Patricio Freire, UFC Fighter

What’s next

The fight between Patricio Freire and Aaron Pico is scheduled to take place on April 12, 2026 at UFC 327 in Miami, Florida.

The takeaway

This matchup between two former Bellator standouts promises to be an exciting one, as both fighters look to make a statement in the UFC. Freire's belief that Pico's chin is a weakness could prove to be a key factor in the outcome of the fight, and fans will be eager to see if Pico has made the necessary improvements to his defense to avoid another knockout loss.