The featherweight bout was discussed as being a potential title eliminator to face Alexander Volkanovski. Murphy may have solidified that shot by knocking out Pico at 3:21 of the opening round.

It took just seconds for the pair to each land big right hands, with Aaron Pico stumbling Lerone Murphy and making him take a knee in the early exchange. The ex-Bellator star flew out of the traps looking for the knockout shot but was caught in a choke that forced him to reconsider.

In a 3-round featherweight bout on the main card, Lerone Murphy and Aaron Pico meet Saturday at UFC 319 at United Center in Chicago.

Name a better mixed martial arts fight this year than Dricus du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev. The UFC middleweight title fight headlines UFC 319 in Chicago on Saturday as 'DDP' looks to defend his crown once again.

On the fifth episode of UFC 319 "Embedded," several of the key fighters hit the town for haircuts, suit fittings and sightseeing.

Aaron Pico claims he’s been practicing his first UFC interview with Joe Rogan for many years as a way to keep himself on the right path after suffering career setbacks. There have been huge expectations surrounding the former Bellator star ever since he made his MMA debut, and that’s going to be the same for his first outing inside the Octagon.