Aaron Pico vs. Pedro Carvalho added to Bellator 299 card for Dublin

The fight card for Bellator’s return to Dublin in September has been boosted by the addition of a top-quality featherweight matchup.

The division’s third- and fourth-ranked 145-pound contenders will face off on the main card at the 3Arena on September 23, as America’s Aaron Pico takes on Dublin-based Portuguese contender Pedro Carvalho in a pivotal matchup for both men.

Pico has been steadily building his momentum as he has worked his way up the featherweight division, and looks potentially one or two big wins away from a shot at the Bellator title.

Hailed as a super-prospect on his arrival in Bellator in 2017, Pico had to learn on the job as he has spent the entirety of his professional career under the bright lights of the Bellator cage. After suffering back-to-back losses to Henry Corrales and Adam Borics in 2019, Pico has found top form and has won eight of his last nine appearances since, with the only defeat coming due to a freak injury when he dislocated his shoulder against Jeremy Kennedy at Bellator 286 last October.

Pico bounced back in style in April this year, however, as he dominated James Gonzalez over three rounds to get back in the win column and put him right back in the title conversation once again. Now he faces Carvalho in a bout that could potentially propel him towards a title shot later this year.

Carvalho, meanwhile, has already had a shot at the 145-pound strap in the Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix, and is now looking to force himself back into championship contention once again.

“The Game” already has key wins over fellow contenders Mads Burnell and Daniel Weichel on his record, but lost out to Jeremy Kennedy in February. Set for his third consecutive appearance in Dublin, Carvalho is looking to bounce back. Adding Pico’s name to his resume will only strengthen his claim for a second shot at the gold.