On Saturday night, No. 3 ranked Bellator MMA featherweight Aaron Pico stepped back into the cage to face the No. 7 ranked Jeremy Kennedy at Bellator 286. Pico entered the bout riding a six-fight win streak with five finishes in those six outings. As for Kennedy, the former UFC and PFL competitor is 2-1 in Bellator since joining the promotion in 2020. His only loss came against Adam Borics, the man in the evening’s main event.
Round 1
Pico immediately came out putting on pressure and backing Kennedy to the cage. Kennedy breaks away but eats an elbow on the way out. Pico moves in once again and Kennedy switches levels briefly taking down Pico. Back to his feet, Pico leans against the fence as Kennedy controls him from the back. Kennedy is able to get Pico to the ground briefly, but he pops back up quickly. Kennedy lands a solid knee. Kennedy once again drives Pico to the ground, this time taking his back in the process, and spends the remainder of the opening round threatening a rear-naked choke.
In between rounds, Pico indicated that he had possibly dislocated his shoulder. His corner frantically attempted to pop the shoulder in place. Moments before the second round was to begin, the referee called in the cageside physician who suggest Pico may have suffered a broken clavicle. As a result, the referee called for the stoppage.
Official Result: Jeremy Kennedy defeats Aaron Pico via TKO due to a shoulder injury at 5:00 of Round 1.
Check Out Highlights From Aaron Pico vs. Jeremy Kennedy:
👀 @AaronPicoUSA trying to pop his arm back in before being taken down.#Bellator286 is LIVE on @SHOsports. pic.twitter.com/frUtTeHmT1
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) October 2, 2022
Cageside view of Aaron Pico's dislocated shoulder that ended with the fight being called. Jeremy Kennedy gets the win #Bellator286 pic.twitter.com/kjAkOke28w
— AIR Media & Productions (@AIRMediaProdx) October 2, 2022
The referee waves off the fight with @AaronPicoUSA unable to continue.#Bellator286 is LIVE on @SHOsports. pic.twitter.com/yJrroYhTYf
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) October 2, 2022
