Aaron Pico vs. Shane Kruchten slated for Bellator 192

Aaron Pico’s early MMA career remains void of cupcake gimme fights.

Pico (1-1 MMA, 1-1 BMMA), one of Bellator’s highest-profile blue-chip prospects, is slated to fight featherweight Shane Kruchten (12-3 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) at Bellator 192.

Krutchen today announced the fight (via Twitter), which mymmanews.com reported, though MMAjunkie could not immediately reach Bellator officials for confirmation:

Bellator 192 takes place Jan. 20 at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif., and the main card airs on Paramount (formerly Spike) following prelims on MMAjunkie.

Pico, a 21-year-old standout amateur wrestler, made his heavily promoted MMA debut in June and suffered a loss to underdog Zach Freeman via 24-second submission. However, he rebounded in his next bout and scored a dazzling first-round knockout of RFA vet Justin Linn in September.

Here it is (via Twitter):

He now meets Kruchten, a 33-year-old military vet who made his pro debut in 2007. The former WSOF fighter most recently earned a decision victory over Jeremy Mahon at WSOF 34. It marked his 12th win in 13 fights following a 0-2 start to his career. He has nine stoppages in 12 career victories.

The latest Bellator 192 card includes:

• Champ Douglas Lima vs. Rory MacDonald – for welterweight title
• Quinton Jackson vs. Chael Sonnen – heavyweight grand prix opening round
• Michael Chandler vs. Goiti Yamauchi
• Henry Corrales vs. Georgi Karakhanyan
• Khonry Gracie vs. Devon Brock
• Cooper Gibson vs. Jacob Rosales
• Noah Tillis vs. Jalin Turner
• Shane Kruchten vs. Aaron Pico

For more on Bellator 192, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.