Career Averages - Damian Pinas
Career Averages - Wes Schultz
Damian Pinas - Fight History
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Pinas (-225), Almeida (+185)
Round 1
Having gotten most of our giggles out of our system with a fighter name, we look to the middleweight division between two men that finish what they start. Pinas (9-1, 1-0 UFC) measures significantly longer than former kickboxer Almeida (7-2, 3-2 UFC) and will be 14 years his junior. Whether the old lion can still roar, or Pinas will pound him, the next 15 minutes or less will show us everything. The Octagon ranger for a bout he may get involved in before too long is referee Chris Tognoni. The fighters opt against touching gloves before letting one another have it.
Pinas starts first with a low kick, and Almeida switches stances and has a body kick brush the top of his cup. This prompts “careful, careful” warnings from Tognoni. Almeida beats Pinas to the kick, firing his leg to three targets low, body and head. Standing firm, the ex-kickboxer kicks away, only to encounter three crushing calf kicks that quickly add up. As Almeida kicks high, Pinas grabs his leg and tosses him to the mat. Almeida climbs back up and forces the clinch to lean on the younger man, pressing Pinas to the wall for a time. Almeida abandons the tie-up to land a low calf kick that makes a thudding sound when connecting. Pinas goes high with a head kick, and his foot skims the top of the dome as the crowd gasps.
Almeida checks a kick and steps in with a right hand, and Pinas stumbles back. “The Baba Yaga” regains his footing and gets back into kickboxing range to trade legs with his foe. Almeida kicks him in the stomach, and both fighters trade fists. Almeida weaves and moves to take the sting out of what comes at him, while chambering and firing kicks off in a hurry. He steps to penetrate Pinas’ guard with a long left hand, feigning a spin after to draw out a reaction.
He does this a few times and pitches a naked low kick, his hands down and wide open for a counter. Pinas sees the hole in Almeida’s defenses and lances the elder statesman with one devastating thrust. Almeida locks up as he collapses to the mat on his back, totally wrecked. Pinas walks off, thinking his work here is done, but Tognoni is not quite ready to intervene for some reason. Pinas looks to Tognoni as if to plead with him that he does not need to keep punishing Almeida, and he sighs and walks forward to smack Almeida with a finalizing right hand while Almeida is turned the other direction all messed up.
Tognoni does wave it off finally, and Pinas gets the walkoff he was seeking. The two embrace and are totally gracious with one another after a fun kicking battle which ended with a fist of fury.
The Official Result
Damian Pinas def. Cesar Almeida R1 4:44 via KO (Punch)
AJ picks Damian Pinas by knockout, citing Pinas's 'touch of death' power and straight right hand. He believes Pinas's speed and reach advantage will allow him to land first on Almeida, who has been dropped before. He expects Pinas to knock out Almeida with a straight shot and ground and pound.
AJ picks Damian Pinas, believing he will knock out Almeida. He cites Pinas's power, heavy hands, and explosiveness, and sees a straight punch landing on Almeida's chin. AJ thinks Almeida is there to be hit.
AJ picks Pinas to knock out Almeida, emphasizing Pinas's youth, power, and reach advantage. He compares Pinas to a Deontay Wilder type, believing his one-shot power will be too much for the 38-year-old Almeida. AJ notes that Almeida has been dropped before and that Pinas's explosiveness will be decisive.
AJ picks Pinas but notes he is fighting a legit Glory kickboxer in the biggest fight of his career, implying risk. He also mentions he likes Gandra more than Pinas.
AJ is confident in Damian Pinas, calling him a one-shot killer. He expects Pinas to knock out César Almeida in the first round, noting Almeida's vulnerability to straight shots and Pinas's power and speed. He sees Pinas as a blue-chip prospect.
AJ is riding with Damian Pinas to get the knockout, believing in his heavy hands and that he will touch Almeida's chin. He picks Pinas KO round one at +275 (previously +300), noting that Almeida is ripe for the picking and has been caught with straight shots before.
Angelo picks Almeida as the better striker, but is hesitant due to age (38) and potential chin issues. He notes Pinas has fight-ending power and speed, but trusts Almeida's high-level kickboxing technique. He expects a striking match and hopes Almeida's chin holds up.
Angelo picks César Almeida because he is a much more accomplished striker with high-level kickboxing experience. He acknowledges concerns about Almeida's age (38) and that he has been dropped, but believes his striking is so good that he forces opponents to wrestle. He thinks if Pinas comes in trying to knock him out, things could get weird, but Almeida is the better striker and the pick.
Big Brady passes on this fight despite joking about liking Pinas. He cannot lay -275 on Pinas in a striking fight against a high-level kickboxer, and neither fighter has ever been finished. He considers an under bet but decides against it.
Big Brady is confident Pinas wins, likely by KO. He thinks Pinas hits harder and is 14 years younger. He expects a stand-and-bang fight similar to Alasan vs Almeida, where both swing dicks until someone falls. He notes Almeida has never been KO'd but has been dropped badly. He might look at Pinas KO1 or under 1.5 rounds, as he doesn't like laying -210 if it leaves the first round.
Big Brady picks Damian Pinas to win by first-round knockout. He loves Pinas's power and believes he will be the first to knock out Almeida. He notes Almeida's kickboxing experience and never being knocked out, but points out he has been dropped in the UFC. He expects a striking battle and thinks Pinas's power will prevail.
Cody picks César Almeida, arguing he is the better striker with a diverse attack. He notes Pinas's power but questions his durability and cardio. He believes Almeida's veteran savvy and chin will carry him.
Daniel Levi confidently picks Damian Pinas, citing his youth, athleticism, and rapid improvement. He believes Pinas can strike with Almeida and may even showcase new wrestling wrinkles. Levi predicts Almeida, at 38, is about to fall off a cliff, while Pinas is a serious prospect with a bright future.
Jacob picks César Almeida but also likes the value on Damian Pinas first round KO. He compares Almeida to a poor man's Alex Pereira, noting his striking defense isn't great but he has power and a good chin. He thinks Pinas has power and could hurt Almeida early, but if the fight extends, Almeida's experience and striking will take over. He placed a bet on Pinas first round KO but picks Almeida.
Lucrative James picks Damian Pinas via KO, citing Pinas's power and Almeida's age (approaching 40) and history of being hurt. He acknowledges Almeida is the better striker but believes Pinas can catch him early. He notes he might also consider betting Almeida if the line moves, as Almeida could win if he survives the early onslaught.
The host favors technically superior fighters, especially when they are big underdogs. He picks Almeida to knock out Pinas with a perfectly timed counter.
The host favors Almeida's technical striking and kickboxing experience over Pinas's raw power, expecting Almeida to counter Pinas's aggression and find a knockout. He notes Pinas's youth and power are threats but believes Almeida's superior technique will prevail at plus money.
Paul picks César Almeida as a dog, citing his superior kickboxing and durability. He questions Pinas's wrestling and believes Almeida can win if it stays standing. He notes Almeida's experience against elite strikers.
The MMA Guru picks Damian Pinas to win by decision, despite being a -210 favorite. He thinks Pinas is explosive and big for the division, but notes that Almeida is a great kickboxer who trained with Alex Pereira. He expects Pinas to drop Almeida but Almeida to survive and the fight to go to a competitive decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Damian Pinas | 2 | 15 of 23 | 65% | 22 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:49 |
| Wes Schultz | 0 | 3 of 13 | 23% | 5 of 16 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:28 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Damian Pinas | 2 | 15 of 23 | 65% | 22 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:49 |
| Wes Schultz | 0 | 3 of 13 | 23% | 5 of 16 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:28 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Damian Pinas | 15 of 23 | 65% | 9 of 16 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 8 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 9 |
| Wes Schultz | 3 of 13 | 23% | 0 of 6 | 2 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 12 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Damian Pinas | 15 of 23 | 65% | 9 of 16 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 8 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 9 |
| Wes Schultz | 3 of 13 | 23% | 0 of 6 | 2 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 12 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Pinas (-270); Schultz (+220)
Round 1
The UFC chose well by matching this Mexico City card the way it did in one regard, in that there are only two bouts on the 13-fight billing taking place above 155 pounds. Bettors and prognosticators may disagree with some matchmaking choices, given that favored fighters today will close with an average line a little beneath -450. This curtain jerker is one of the two larger matches and one of five where the favorite does not eclipse -250, as debuting middleweights from DWCS crash into one another with hopes of separating wheat from chaff. Repping both Aruba and Suriname while likely the butt of jokes much of his life, Pinas (8-1, 0-0 UFC) will be squaring off against brother longhair Schultz (8-2, 0-0 UFC). Referee Horacio Lopez Villanueva takes charge of the fight, and the two 185ers bump fists.
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Pinas moves right to the center of the cage, letting loose a low kick to stop Schultz from jabbing. Schultz tries to fire back with a left hook, but all he can land is a leg kick of his own. Pinas hits him back far harder in the lead leg, turning his hips into those strikes and forcing a level change on the third land. Pinas shuts down the double-leg takedown attempt and rails Schultz with a fierce right hand at the end of a one-two, putting “Party Time” down. Pinas looks to finish the job, but Schultz somehow weathers the storm and powers his way back to his feet, where he looks for a takedown. Wrapping his arms around Pinas’ waist, he drags them both down to the floor, but this is not a good strategy. Pinas is pulled on top of his foe, where he unleashes elbows that punish Schultz for the ground effort. Pinas hunts for an anaconda choke, and when he hits the gator roll, he is too loose and they separate and stand back up.
Pinas drills his man in the chin with an uppercut, and Schultz crumbles and tries for an ankle pick. “Baba Yaga” shuts it down, forces Schultz to stand up and thrusts through the guard with a piston-like one-two. Schultz collapses to the floor, and this time, he is not getting back up.
Villanueva sees that Schultz’ goose is cooked, and he waves the fight off right around the midpoint of the round. There are far worse ways to make your promotional debut, with Pinas calmly walking off after putting in work.
The Official Result
Damian Pinas def. Wesley Schultz R1 2:30 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo picks Wes Schultz because of his credentialed wrestling and ability to take down Damian Pinas, whose takedown defense is just okay. He notes that in Mexico, wrestling is scored more favorably than in Vegas. He acknowledges Pinas's power but believes Schultz can neutralize it with takedowns.
Big Brady picks Damian Pinas, citing his knockout power and youth at 23. He acknowledges Pinas is green and has concerns if the fight hits the mat, as Wes Schultz has good jiu-jitsu and a submission win on the Contender Series. However, Brady believes it will be hard for Schultz to take Pinas down, and if he doesn't, Pinas will put him away. He predicts a first-round knockout.
Cody picks Pinas, believing his power and youth will eventually overcome Schultz's wrestling. He expects Pinas to tire Schultz out and knock him out in later rounds. He sees Pinas as the better prospect.
Connor picks Pinas, agreeing with Zane. He notes that Schultz's loss to Dylan Budka is a huge red flag, as Budka caught him with a body lock and slammed him. Pinas hits hard and is instinctive, and Schultz puts himself in position to take hard punches.
Daniel does not discuss this fight in the transcript.
The host finds this fight difficult to predict due to limited footage of both fighters going past the first round. He notes that Damian is explosive and powerful but has never been to a decision, while Schultz has cardio concerns but may have improved. The high altitude in Mexico City adds uncertainty. He concludes it's a great fight for live betting but not for pre-fight bets.
James believes Pinas is the better striker and has superior cardio, while Schultz tends to fade. He expects Pinas to win, likely by knockout, as Schultz's grappling may not be enough.
The host picks Damian Pinas to win by first-round knockout, citing Pinas's athleticism and power. He notes that Pinas is a raw but powerful striker who can put Schultz away early. However, he warns that if the fight goes past the first round, Schultz's wrestling and cardio could take over. He prefers the round 1 KO prop at +250 over the moneyline at -260.
Paul took a small shot on Schultz at +215, citing his superior wrestling and Pinas's potential cardio issues at altitude. He notes Schultz's tendency to gas but believes his grappling can win early rounds. He acknowledges Pinas's power and upside.
The MMA Guru picks Damian Pinas based on his explosiveness and power, noting that Wes Schultz tends to shy away from punches and has shown fear against athletic opponents. He predicts a first-round TKO, citing Pinas's sharp striking and Schultz's vulnerability. He also mentions that Pinas might get cut if he loses, but that doesn't affect his pick.
Zane picks Pinas because he needs this man to have a long career for entertainment value. He notes that Schultz has a loss to Dylan Budka, which is a red flag, and that Pinas hits hard and is instinctive. However, Pinas is raw and his wrestling is questionable.
Wes Schultz - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Johnston | 0 | 12 of 16 | 75% | 38 of 44 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 9:16 |
| Wes Schultz | 1 | 12 of 17 | 70% | 22 of 32 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 5 | 1 | 1:37 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ben Johnston | 0 | 7 of 8 | 87% | 16 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 4:26 |
| Wes Schultz | 0 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 8 of 10 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:23 | |
| 2 | Ben Johnston | 0 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 20 of 21 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 3:36 |
| Wes Schultz | 1 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 3 | 1 | 1:14 | |
| 3 | Ben Johnston | 0 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 2 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:14 |
| Wes Schultz | 0 | 7 of 11 | 63% | 8 of 12 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Johnston | 12 of 16 | 75% | 11 of 15 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 10 of 11 |
| Wes Schultz | 12 of 17 | 70% | 6 of 11 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 11 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ben Johnston | 7 of 8 | 87% | 6 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 7 |
| Wes Schultz | 3 of 3 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Ben Johnston | 3 of 3 | 100% | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 |
| Wes Schultz | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Ben Johnston | 2 of 5 | 40% | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
| Wes Schultz | 7 of 11 | 63% | 5 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Late bloomer Johnston (5-1) makes his Octagon debut against two-time Contender Series competitor Schultz (8-3; 0-1 UFC) in a middleweight clash. Referee Rich Mitchell will be tasked with keeping this one clean. Johnston is southpaw, Schultz orthodox, but Schultz shoots for a takedown before a single strike is thrown. He gets his man down, but Johnston rolls right through and takes top position. Schultz tries to keep the scramble going, but Johnston keeps the position and lands a couple of hard punches. Schultz scoots backward, elevating his hips for some possible offense from the bottom, but Johnston drives him all the way to the fence. Johnston drops some more solid ground strikes. Schultz sits up and grabs a front headlock, but Johnston extricates his head from danger, pushes Schultz back down and lands a couple more punches. Schultz gets back to his feet and drives Johnston into the fence. They exchange knees in the clinch, then Schultz does a half guard pull, half failed sacrifice throw and ends up on his back at the base of the fence. Under a minute left to go and Johnston is again in top position, in Schultz’s half guard, chipping away with short punches and elbow strikes. The round ends. 10-9 Johnston.
Round 2
They touch gloves to begin Round 2. Johnston clinches right away, possibly looking for a judo throw, but Schultz blasts him with a knee to the head. Schultz hustles his hurt foe to the ground with a guillotine choke, then adjusts his grip. Johnston is in real danger for a moment, but pops his head out and squirts to top position. Schultz explodes out of the position and lands on top in the ensuing scramble. Johnston gets up and Schultz takes his back. Schultz looks for a choke, but Johnston slips away and takes top position again. Johnston is in Schultz’s wide-open half guard against the fence and drops a few strikes. Schultz sits up and grabs another guillotine. It’s locked up, but Johnston calmly works through the hold, pulling his head out of danger a few seconds later, then punishes Schultz with several elbows and punches. A minute to go in the round and Johnston is on top, mashing Schultz into the corner of the cage with shoulder pressure. Johnston is close to passing his foe’s guard, grinding elbows into Schultz’s head. The horn sounds. 10-9 Johnston.
Round 3
Schultz surges forward with a series of big haymakers, backing Johnston up to the fence, and snatches a standing guillotine choke. He falls to guard and the choke is tight. Johnston spits out his mouthguard, trying to survive the hold, which Schultz adjusts into something closer to a neck crank. After a few more tense moments, Johnston pops his head out and they spring back to their feet. Mitchell stops the action to return Johnston’s gumshield, then motions them back to work.
Schultz goes for the guillotine yet again, jumping to guard, and cinches up his arms. Third time—or is it the fourth?—is the charm, as the debuting Aussie taps out.
Impressive commitment to the game plan from Wes Schultz, and it pays off with his first UFC win!
The Official Result
Wesley Schultz def. Ben Johnston R3 1:53 via Submission (Guillotine Choke)
Angelo picks Ben Johnston because he is more well-rounded with good striking, wrestling, and jiu-jitsu. He is concerned about Wes Schultz's potential if he uses his wrestling, but Schultz's last fight showed poor game planning and flopping on the ground. Angelo is hesitant because if Schultz wrestles effectively, he could win, but he trusts Johnston's overall MMA skills.
Big Brady picks Ben Johnston to win by second-round knockout, but expresses hesitation due to Johnston's long layoff and limited experience. He notes that Johnston has a black belt in BJJ and better cardio, while Wes Schultz has poor cardio and wrestling that hasn't translated. Brady calls the fight a 'mess' and says he would pass on betting it.
Cody picks Schultz, citing Johnston's long layoff, recent shoulder surgery, and lack of striking training. He believes Schultz's wrestling and grappling will be too much for the rusty Johnston.
Connor agrees with Zane, picking Schultz because Johnston is incredibly undercooked and Schultz will aggressively go for takedowns. He notes that Schultz has been proven to lack athleticism but his wrestling and aggression should overwhelm Johnston. He calls it a good rule of thumb to go with the wrestler in this matchup.
Daniel Vreeland had no clear pick and flipped a coin to decide. He noted that both fighters have significant unknowns: Johnston's layoff and takedown defense, Schultz's spastic style and loss to Dylan Budka. The coin landed on heads, so he picks Ben Johnston.
Lucrative James picks Wes Schultz to win via submission. He cites Ben Johnston's two-year retirement and shoulder surgery as major red flags, and believes Schultz's unorthodox style and UFC experience will be decisive. He acknowledges Johnston may have better skills but favors the intangibles.
The host picks the upset, believing Schultz is the better wrestler and BJJ specialist, and that his activity and wrestling advantage will allow him to grind down Johnston. He expects a round two or three finish. The host is not impressed with Johnston's strength of schedule or grappling, and thinks Schultz is fringe UFC level but capable.
Paul picks Schultz, agreeing with Cody about Johnston's red flags. He notes Schultz's wrestling advantage and Johnston's inactivity, making Schultz the logical choice.
The MMA Guru picks Ben Johnston, citing his power, submission skills, and athleticism. He notes that Wes Schultz has been finished in recent fights and may not have the chin for the sport. He predicts a TKO win for Johnston, especially given Schultz's quick turnaround from a KO loss.
Zane picks Schultz because he thinks Schultz's funky wrestling will be too much for Johnston, who is undercooked and has never seen that style. He notes that Schultz is a bad athlete and his striking is risky, but Johnston's lack of experience against wrestlers gives Schultz the edge. He acknowledges Schultz has failed UFC tests before.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Damian Pinas | 2 | 15 of 23 | 65% | 22 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:49 |
| Wes Schultz | 0 | 3 of 13 | 23% | 5 of 16 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:28 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Damian Pinas | 2 | 15 of 23 | 65% | 22 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:49 |
| Wes Schultz | 0 | 3 of 13 | 23% | 5 of 16 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:28 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Damian Pinas | 15 of 23 | 65% | 9 of 16 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 8 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 9 |
| Wes Schultz | 3 of 13 | 23% | 0 of 6 | 2 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 12 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Damian Pinas | 15 of 23 | 65% | 9 of 16 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 8 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 9 |
| Wes Schultz | 3 of 13 | 23% | 0 of 6 | 2 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 12 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Pinas (-270); Schultz (+220)
Round 1
The UFC chose well by matching this Mexico City card the way it did in one regard, in that there are only two bouts on the 13-fight billing taking place above 155 pounds. Bettors and prognosticators may disagree with some matchmaking choices, given that favored fighters today will close with an average line a little beneath -450. This curtain jerker is one of the two larger matches and one of five where the favorite does not eclipse -250, as debuting middleweights from DWCS crash into one another with hopes of separating wheat from chaff. Repping both Aruba and Suriname while likely the butt of jokes much of his life, Pinas (8-1, 0-0 UFC) will be squaring off against brother longhair Schultz (8-2, 0-0 UFC). Referee Horacio Lopez Villanueva takes charge of the fight, and the two 185ers bump fists.
Advertisement
Pinas moves right to the center of the cage, letting loose a low kick to stop Schultz from jabbing. Schultz tries to fire back with a left hook, but all he can land is a leg kick of his own. Pinas hits him back far harder in the lead leg, turning his hips into those strikes and forcing a level change on the third land. Pinas shuts down the double-leg takedown attempt and rails Schultz with a fierce right hand at the end of a one-two, putting “Party Time” down. Pinas looks to finish the job, but Schultz somehow weathers the storm and powers his way back to his feet, where he looks for a takedown. Wrapping his arms around Pinas’ waist, he drags them both down to the floor, but this is not a good strategy. Pinas is pulled on top of his foe, where he unleashes elbows that punish Schultz for the ground effort. Pinas hunts for an anaconda choke, and when he hits the gator roll, he is too loose and they separate and stand back up.
Pinas drills his man in the chin with an uppercut, and Schultz crumbles and tries for an ankle pick. “Baba Yaga” shuts it down, forces Schultz to stand up and thrusts through the guard with a piston-like one-two. Schultz collapses to the floor, and this time, he is not getting back up.
Villanueva sees that Schultz’ goose is cooked, and he waves the fight off right around the midpoint of the round. There are far worse ways to make your promotional debut, with Pinas calmly walking off after putting in work.
The Official Result
Damian Pinas def. Wesley Schultz R1 2:30 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo picks Wes Schultz because of his credentialed wrestling and ability to take down Damian Pinas, whose takedown defense is just okay. He notes that in Mexico, wrestling is scored more favorably than in Vegas. He acknowledges Pinas's power but believes Schultz can neutralize it with takedowns.
Big Brady picks Damian Pinas, citing his knockout power and youth at 23. He acknowledges Pinas is green and has concerns if the fight hits the mat, as Wes Schultz has good jiu-jitsu and a submission win on the Contender Series. However, Brady believes it will be hard for Schultz to take Pinas down, and if he doesn't, Pinas will put him away. He predicts a first-round knockout.
Cody picks Pinas, believing his power and youth will eventually overcome Schultz's wrestling. He expects Pinas to tire Schultz out and knock him out in later rounds. He sees Pinas as the better prospect.
Connor picks Pinas, agreeing with Zane. He notes that Schultz's loss to Dylan Budka is a huge red flag, as Budka caught him with a body lock and slammed him. Pinas hits hard and is instinctive, and Schultz puts himself in position to take hard punches.
Daniel does not discuss this fight in the transcript.
The host finds this fight difficult to predict due to limited footage of both fighters going past the first round. He notes that Damian is explosive and powerful but has never been to a decision, while Schultz has cardio concerns but may have improved. The high altitude in Mexico City adds uncertainty. He concludes it's a great fight for live betting but not for pre-fight bets.
James believes Pinas is the better striker and has superior cardio, while Schultz tends to fade. He expects Pinas to win, likely by knockout, as Schultz's grappling may not be enough.
The host picks Damian Pinas to win by first-round knockout, citing Pinas's athleticism and power. He notes that Pinas is a raw but powerful striker who can put Schultz away early. However, he warns that if the fight goes past the first round, Schultz's wrestling and cardio could take over. He prefers the round 1 KO prop at +250 over the moneyline at -260.
Paul took a small shot on Schultz at +215, citing his superior wrestling and Pinas's potential cardio issues at altitude. He notes Schultz's tendency to gas but believes his grappling can win early rounds. He acknowledges Pinas's power and upside.
The MMA Guru picks Damian Pinas based on his explosiveness and power, noting that Wes Schultz tends to shy away from punches and has shown fear against athletic opponents. He predicts a first-round TKO, citing Pinas's sharp striking and Schultz's vulnerability. He also mentions that Pinas might get cut if he loses, but that doesn't affect his pick.
Zane picks Pinas because he needs this man to have a long career for entertainment value. He notes that Schultz has a loss to Dylan Budka, which is a red flag, and that Pinas hits hard and is instinctive. However, Pinas is raw and his wrestling is questionable.
Expert Picks (11)
Angelo picks Wes Schultz because of his credentialed wrestling and ability to take down Damian Pinas, whose takedown defense is just okay. He notes that in Mexico, wrestling is scored more favorably than in Vegas. He acknowledges Pinas's power but believes Schultz can neutralize it with takedowns.
Big Brady picks Damian Pinas, citing his knockout power and youth at 23. He acknowledges Pinas is green and has concerns if the fight hits the mat, as Wes Schultz has good jiu-jitsu and a submission win on the Contender Series. However, Brady believes it will be hard for Schultz to take Pinas down, and if he doesn't, Pinas will put him away. He predicts a first-round knockout.
Cody picks Pinas, believing his power and youth will eventually overcome Schultz's wrestling. He expects Pinas to tire Schultz out and knock him out in later rounds. He sees Pinas as the better prospect.
Connor picks Pinas, agreeing with Zane. He notes that Schultz's loss to Dylan Budka is a huge red flag, as Budka caught him with a body lock and slammed him. Pinas hits hard and is instinctive, and Schultz puts himself in position to take hard punches.
Daniel does not discuss this fight in the transcript.
The host finds this fight difficult to predict due to limited footage of both fighters going past the first round. He notes that Damian is explosive and powerful but has never been to a decision, while Schultz has cardio concerns but may have improved. The high altitude in Mexico City adds uncertainty. He concludes it's a great fight for live betting but not for pre-fight bets.
James believes Pinas is the better striker and has superior cardio, while Schultz tends to fade. He expects Pinas to win, likely by knockout, as Schultz's grappling may not be enough.
The host picks Damian Pinas to win by first-round knockout, citing Pinas's athleticism and power. He notes that Pinas is a raw but powerful striker who can put Schultz away early. However, he warns that if the fight goes past the first round, Schultz's wrestling and cardio could take over. He prefers the round 1 KO prop at +250 over the moneyline at -260.
Paul took a small shot on Schultz at +215, citing his superior wrestling and Pinas's potential cardio issues at altitude. He notes Schultz's tendency to gas but believes his grappling can win early rounds. He acknowledges Pinas's power and upside.
The MMA Guru picks Damian Pinas based on his explosiveness and power, noting that Wes Schultz tends to shy away from punches and has shown fear against athletic opponents. He predicts a first-round TKO, citing Pinas's sharp striking and Schultz's vulnerability. He also mentions that Pinas might get cut if he loses, but that doesn't affect his pick.
Zane picks Pinas because he needs this man to have a long career for entertainment value. He notes that Schultz has a loss to Dylan Budka, which is a red flag, and that Pinas hits hard and is instinctive. However, Pinas is raw and his wrestling is questionable.
Comments (1)
ab believe pinas wont be good after rd1 due to fatigue.. bb thinks alan is a sore loser.. .ab thinks bb is a little bitch
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