The highlight-reel finish was one of the most violent UFC knockouts of the year, and it was made all the more remarkable by the fact that fans had been treated to a stunningly similar finish<\/a> in the night\u2019s previous fight when Carlos Prates stopped Geoff Neal with one second remaining in the first round. <\/p>\n READ MORE: Former UFC champion books surprise comeback fight at 43 years old<\/a><\/p>\n After coming up short in one of the more highly-anticipated Octagon debuts in recent memory, Pico took to Instagram <\/a>to reassure fans that the story of his UFC career is far from over.<\/p>\n Billed as perhaps the most-hyped prospect in MMA history ahead of his pro debut in 2017, Pico went 4-3 across his first seven fights with Bellator before going on a 9-1 run that was only broken up by an injury loss to Jeremy Kennedy in 2022. <\/p>\n Aaron Pico (red gloves) and Henry Corrales (blue gloves) during Bellator 214 at The Forum. \/ Dave Mandel-Imagn Images<\/p>\n The 28-year-old\u2019s last pre-UFC bout at PFL vs. Bellator saw Pico avenge a 2019 loss to Henry Corrales when he finished the longtime Bellator veteran with strikes in the first round. <\/p>\n While Pico\u2019s hopes of challenging for a UFC title have been temporarily halted after UFC 319, Murphy looked to be the new frontrunner<\/a> to face current UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski. <\/p>\n READ MORE: UFC CEO Dana White shares long-shot update regarding Jon Jones White House plans<\/a><\/p>\n Volkanovski put together a dominant initial run with the UFC\u2019s 145 lbs. title that included five title defenses before being stopped by Ilia Topuria at UFC 298, but \u201cThe Great\u201d reclaimed the belt when he took a unanimous decision over Diego Lopes in a fight for the division\u2019s vacant title at UFC 314. <\/p>\n Lerone Murphy (red gloves) fights Aaron Pico (blue gloves) during UFC 319 at United Center. \/ Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images<\/p>\n The Australian has already signed off on the idea<\/a> of facing \u201cThe Miracle\u201d after UFC 319, and Murphy\u2019s stunning knockout of Pico brought his unbeaten record to 17-0-1 with a total of nine-straight wins since he and Zubaira Tukhugov fought to a draw at UFC 242 in 2019. <\/p>\n \u2022 Khamzat Chimaev manhandles Dricus du Plessis to claim middleweight belt at UFC 319<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 UFC 319 fighter wins debut fight days after earning UFC contract from Dana White<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 Joe Rogan breaks silence on UFC\u2019s future after major change<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 Conor McGregor\u2019s next UFC fight in jeopardy after latest report<\/a><\/p>\n Stick with MMAKnockout<\/a> for more FREE coverage of the UFC and MMA.<\/p>\n Follow MMAKnockout on Facebook<\/a>, Twitter<\/a>, and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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