UFC 329: Damian Pinas vs Cesar Almeida Preview & Prediction
A middleweight striker’s duel sits on the prelims, unbeaten (excluding a DQ) Surinamese finisher Damian Pinas takes a step up against former kickboxing champion Cesar Almeida.
Damian Pinas vs Cesar Almeida facts
What time are Damian Pinas and Cesar Almeida expected to walk out?
Where is UFC 329: McGregor vs Holloway 2? T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC 329: McGregor vs Holloway 2? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC 329
What TV channel is UFC 329: McGregor vs Holloway 2 on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Paramount
Where can I stream UFC 329: McGregor vs Holloway 2? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and HBO Max / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC 329: McGregor vs Holloway 2 main card
Conor McGregor vs Max Holloway 2 (Welterweight)
Benoit Saint-Denis vs Paddy Pimblett (Lightweight)
Cory Sandhagen vs Mario Bautista (Bantamweight)
Brandon Royval vs Lone'er Kavanagh (Flyweight)
King Green vs Terrance McKinney (Lightweight)
UFC 329: McGregor vs Holloway 2 prelims
Robert Whittaker vs Nikita Krylov (Light Heavyweight)
Gable Steveson vs Elisha Ellison (Heavyweight)
Cody Garbrandt vs Adrian Yanez (Bantamweight)
Luke Riley vs Kai Kamaka III (Featherweight)
Tracy Cortez vs Wang Cong (Women's Flyweight)
Damian Pinas vs Cesar Almeida (Middleweight)
Farid Basharat vs John Garza (Bantamweight)
Ryan Gandra vs Zachary Reese (Middleweight)
Alessandro Costa vs Cody Durden (Flyweight)
Damian Pinas: 24-year-old wrecking ball
Damian Pinas (9-1) is one of the scariest young prospects in the division, a 24-year-old finisher who has stopped every opponent he’s beaten – seven in the first round, two in the second, his lone blemish an unfortunate DQ. “The Baba Yaga” is a long, patient power puncher who picks his shots and detonates when he lands clean, particularly with a fearsome orthodox right hand. He mixes leg kicks with the occasional head kick and defends behind a high guard, and whilst his head movement is limited, he’s rarely needed it.
Cesar Almeida: “Cesinha” leans on a world-class kickboxing pedigree
Cesar Almeida (7-2) arrived in the UFC late, a former kickboxing world champion who once beat Alex Pereira under kickboxing rules and carries a nearly-50-win kickboxing resume. The 38-year-old Brazilian is a patient range striker who paws out his lead hand and hunts a heavy right hand on his own, mixing in body kicks to set up the power shot. Both of his MMA losses have come against decent opposition, a split decision to Roman Kopylov and a takedown-heavy decision to Cezary Oleksiejczuk that exposed his wrestling, but crucially he’s never been finished. His durability, deep cardio, and championship experience are his biggest assets here.
Damian Pinas vs Cesar Almeida prediction
This is a striker VS striker matchup that should stay almost entirely on the feet, and in that phase Pinas holds two advantages – the power and range. His five inch reach advantage is significant when both men want to operate in boxing range, and it lets him land his right hand without having to step into danger himself.
The right hand will be the main focal point of this matchup. We saw Almeida get dropped by Abdul Razak Alhassan’s right hand before he rallied to score a stunning comeback KO, and while Alhassan threw his from much lower and closer, it proves the chin can be found. Pinas can find that same shot around Almeida’s guard from range, and Almeida doesn’t offer much head movement to avoid it. At 24 VS 38, the age matters here, Almeida’s chin has taken a lot of hard miles.
Almeida has never been finished, he showed good composure recovering against Alhassan, and if he can weather the opening two rounds, his experience and cardio give him a genuine path to steal it late or on the cards. Pinas isn’t a wild brawler, he’s patient and keeps it at range, he doesn’t need to dive into the pocket when his reach advantage does the work. Expect him to find the shot early.
Prediction: Damian Pinas to win by KO/TKO in round one
