“MMA’s Greatest Prospect” Joins Bellator As Eighteen Year Old Aaron Pico Agrees To Long-Term Promotional Contract

Newport Beach, Calif. (November 15, 2014) – At 18 years old, Aaron Pico has become quite familiar with the terms “phenom” and “prodigy”. The California native has already captured a FILA World Championship along with prestigious national titles in boxing and pankration. While Pico’s wrestling career can be simply summed up as “dominate”, the former Junior Golden Gloves Champion considers his standup game to be most refined. As Pico now prepares for a 2016 US Olympic run, MMA’s next superstar has found a home with Bellator MMA, inking a long-term promotional contract that will see Pico compete inside the Bellator cage for years to come.

“When it comes to any big decision I make, I sit down with my family, my management team at Zinkin and the people that are around me that I trust,” Pico said. “We wanted an opportunity to achieve my dreams in the 2016 Olympics and transition into MMA, and when we sat down with Bellator, Viacom and Scott Coker, everything just sort of fell into place and I couldn’t be happier to be here and be a part of the Bellator family.”

“Simply put, Aaron has all the makings of MMA’s next great superstar, and to have him here at Bellator is something special,” Bellator President Scott Coker said. “Like many of us in the MMA community, Aaron is someone we’ve been watching closely over the last few years, and after sitting down with Bob Cook and his team, getting a chance to meet Aaron, and hearing his long-term aspirations, the fit became very obvious. I’m not only excited to see what Aaron is going to be able to do in our cage, but also watching him represent our country in 2016 at the Olympics.”

For more information, visit Bellator.com, follow Bellator on Twitter @BellatorMMA, and check out Bellator on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BellatorMMA      

Sanderson, Dake, Gray, Pico, Maroulis, Christina “Kiki” Kelly - LIVE on Saturday’s Takedown Radio

Takedown broadcasts From the mobile Brute Studios as Fight Now TV Presents Takedown Wrestling Radio. Takedown is proudly presented by Kemin Industries and Blue 04 Water Join Scott Casber, Brad Johnson and our guests this Saturday from 9 to 11 AM CST/ 10 AM to 12 Noon Eastern LIVE . Win our Super Sunday Singlet giveaway where you can win a singlet every Sunday of the year by following us on Facebook atfacebook.com/TakedownWrestling and on Twitter at @Takedownradio This weeks guests: 9:00 A.M.       Cody Sanderson- Associate Head Coach Penn State 9:15 A.M.      Kyle Dake - America’s 1st and only 4x NCAA Champion  at 4 different weight classes, Dake's final season is simply legendary, as he went up to his fourth weight class (165lbs) to challenge the defending champion. Kyle would go undefeated that season, recording the most falls in the country, and being named the Most Outstanding Wrestler at the Nationals, as well as the Dan Hodge Trophy Winner. Kyle solidified himself as a legend by becoming the first and only 4x NCAA Champion, at 4 different weight classes; a feat thought impossible. Kyle, an X-celworldwide Athlete is currently pursuing a World and Olympic Championship assisting at Cornell Assist 9:35 A.M.      Adeline Gray - Asics sponsored Adeline Gray is United States Wrestler, currently ranked number one in   the world at 67 KG and number eight in the world at 72 KG. Adeline is a 3x Junior National Champion,a Junior World Champion, and a 2x National Champion. In 2012, Adeline won the World Championships, as well as the University World Championships. Adeline most recently earned a Bronze medal at the 2013 World Championships in Budapest, Hungry.X-celworldwide Athlete 9:50 A.M.     Joey Boyens - Head Coach, Founder Max Muscle Des Moines 10:00 A.M    Aaron Pico - Nike sponsored Titan Mercury Wrestling Club member, the World champion claimed a FILA Junior National title in Vegas in April.  The full-time freestyle wrestler, was unscored upon racking up 61 points against his six opponents. He had five tech falls leading up to the finals. There he won 7-0 over Zain Retherford in a battle of Cadet World champions. Pico won a Cadet World title last year coached by Valentin Kalika 10:20 A.M.   Helen Maroulis - adidas sponsored Helen is ranked number one in the country and third overall in the world. The Maryland native is a 5x U.S. Open Champion, a 4x World Team Member, a World Cup Champion, and a World Silver Medalist. Helen is also a 2x Junior National Champion, and is the first female in the state of Maryland to place at the high school state tournament (she was a 2x state placer). Helen, an X-celworldwide Athlete is pursuing a World Championship                         10:35 A.M.  Christina “Kiki” Kelly - US Team Leader joined the US team in Tehran. In doing so, she became the first American woman to participate in wrestling competitions in Iran since   1979. She’ll join us to share her experience in Iran.   Kiki has a distinguished record of business successes, and did a great job leading the American team in Iran Join in the conversation LIVE 866-333-5966  515-204-5966 from 9 to 11 AM CST.  Listen to Takedown Wrestling on  Radio, computer, Blackberry or I Phone with the I Heart Radio App. KXNO.com, Takedownradio.com, I Heart Radio App         To Listen, Click Here.