Arnold Allen vs. Aaron Pico Off UFC 333: Rehab Timeline Forces Allen Out

Featherweight action at UFC 333 took a major hit after top contender Arnold Allen was forced to pull out of his high-stakes matchup against Aaron Pico. The 145-pound standouts were scheduled to clash on Oct. 24 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, but physical recovery constraints have sidelined the English striker.

According to a report from MMA Fighting, Allen’s withdrawal stems directly from an extended rehabilitation schedule following past medical treatments. With little over a month remaining before the fight, Allen and his team determined there was simply not enough time between now and fight night in Abu Dhabi to properly complete rehab, undergo a full training camp, and safely cut weight.

Search On for Pico's New UFC 333 Opponent

The delay is a tough pill to swallow for Allen, who holds a strong 21-4 professional MMA record. The 32-year-old Ipswich native, nicknamed "Almighty," was looking to build momentum in the 145-pound division after rebounding with a unanimous decision victory over Melquizael Costa. Allen has long been one of the most reliable and technical boxers in the weight class, but properly healing up from nagging wear-and-tear took precedence over rushing back into the Octagon.

For Pico, the sudden cancellation leaves his Abu Dhabi appearance hanging in the balance. The 29-year-old knockout artist and former wrestling prodigy sports a 14-5 career record. Pico was eager to make a massive splash in the UFC's featherweight rankings following a key decision win over veteran Patricio Pitbull at UFC 327.

UFC matchmakers are actively searching for a short-notice replacement to keep Pico on the UFC 333 fight card. Whether the promotion secures a fresh opponent or rebooks the clash for a later date, featherweight fans will have to wait just a bit longer to see Allen step back inside the cage.