Bellator 252 results: Aaron Pico knocks out John DeJesus with vicious overhand right

It’s safe to say at this point the Aaron Pico train is safely back on the tracks.

The much-hyped prospect, who stumbled with three losses in his first seven fights, dominated in the featured preliminary bout of Bellator 252 before winning by vicious knockout Thursday.

Pico (7-3 MMA, 7-3 Bellator) made it look like a sparring session against John DeJesus before finishing him off with a hard overhand right at Mohegan Sun Arena. The knockout came at the 4:12 mark of the second round.

The win is the third in a row for the Jackson Wink MMA competitor out of Southern California.

.@AaronPicoUSA tied the record for most KOs in @BellatorMMA featherweight history by folding John DeJesus with a savage overhand. #Bellator252 | More: https://t.co/kT7NZHrHcN pic.twitter.com/mu8gAMbT7p

— MMA Junkie (@MMAjunkie) November 12, 2020

Pico began imposing his will at the outset, as he used his superior wrestling to take DeJesus (13-9 MMA, 1-1 BMMA) to the mat. Pico stayed active on the mat as he dished out offense while constantly looking to improve his position.

DeJesus, if nothing else, proved resilient as Pico kept up his attack. In the second, Pico scored another takedown and nearly got a head-and-arm choke. DeJesus got back to his feet, but this time was dropped by a body shot. DeJesus got back to his feet one more time, but Pico dropped him with a huge overhand right and finished things off on the ground.

Pico credited his move to Jackson Wink MMA earlier this year for his win and development.

“When I first started with them I was broken,” Pico said. “I was 4-3, and I had some really tough losses, and they rebuilt me, man.”

All seven of Pico’s career wins have been finishes.

Up-to-the-minute Bellator 252 results:

• Aaron Pico def. John DeJesus via knockout (punch) — Round 2, 4:14
• Keri Melendez def. Emilee King via submission (rear-naked choke) — Round 1, 3:03
• Manny Muro def. Devin Powell via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
• Jornel Lugo def. Schyler Sootho via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
• Lucas Brennan def. Andrew Salas via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
• Roman Faraldo def. Pat Casey via knockout (flying knee) – Round 2, 2:30
• Trevor Gudde def. Khonry Gracie via TKO (knee, strikes) – Round 3, 3:28