UFC Fight Night: Damian Pinas vs Wesley Schultz Preview & Prediction
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Opening the card with a classic striker vs. grappler matchup, Wes Schultz looks to make the most of his second chance at a UFC run against fearsome KO artist, Damian Pinas.
Damian Pinas vs Wesley Schultz facts
What time are Damian Pinas and Wesley Schultz expected to walk out?
Where is UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs Kavanagh? Arena CDMX, Mexico City, Mexico
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs Kavanagh? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs Kavanagh on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Not televised
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs Kavanagh? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs Kavanagh main card
Brandon Moreno vs Lone'er Kavanagh (Flyweight)
Marlon Vera vs David Martinez (Bantamweight)
Daniel Zellhuber vs King Green (Lightweight)
Edgar Chairez vs Felipe Bunes (Flyweight)
Imanol Rodriguez vs Kevin Borjas (Flyweight)
Santiago Luna vs Angel Pacheco (Bantamweight)
UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs Kavanagh prelims
Ryan Gandra vs Jose Daniel Medina (Middleweight)
Ailin Perez vs Macy Chiasson (Women’s Bantamweight)
Cristian Quinonez vs Kris Moutinho (Bantamweight)
Douglas Silva de Andrade vs Javier Reyes (Featherweight)
Sofia Montenegro vs Ernesta Kareckaite (Women’s Flyweight)
Erik Silva vs Francis Marshall (Featherweight)
Damian Pinas vs Wesley Schultz (Middleweight)
Damian Pinas: "The Baba Yaga" touches down in the Octagon after a devastating KO victory on the Contender Series
One of the most exciting additions from the latest season of the Contender Series, Damian Pinas (8-1) makes his UFC debut after starching fellow prospect, Vitor Costa, with a vicious first round knockout in September to earn a contract. A fighter who has yet to see a third round in his career, “The Baba Yaga’s” finish over the well rounded Brazilian was his sixth first round stoppage since turning pro back in 2022, a ruthless run of form that includes seven KOs and a submission. The 23 year old Surinamese knockout artist has never been to the scorecards in nine fights and his only defeat came after landing an illegal kick that resulted in a loss due to disqualification.
Wesley Schultz: "Party Time" makes his UFC debut after earning redemption in his sophomore appearance on the Contender Series
Despite losing by TKO to hyped middleweight prospect, Mansur Abdul-Malik in his first appearance on the Contender Series, Wes Schultz (8-2) would make the most of his second chance at a UFC contract in emphatic fashion. “Party Time” snatched the “0” of the undefeated Mario Mingaj with a first round Suloev stretch to punch his ticket to the promotion, with the unorthodox, flashy submission highlighting the danger he poses on the mat. While he’s not the most dynamic or explosive athlete, Schultz’s grappling chops are underlined by five wins by first round tap out; his other two finishes have also come via ground and pound after securing a dominant position on the mat.
Damian Pinas vs Wesley Schultz prediction
This is an absolute banger to kick off the undercard. Pitting two signings from arguably the best Contender Series to date against each other, this looks to be a thrilling example of the classic “striker vs grappler” matchup.
A heavy-handed KO artist who has yet to legitimately lose a fight, Pinas is a terrifying prospect on paper. With that being said, Vitor Costa is the best fighter he has ever fought by a considerable distance and he has yet to face a grappler who poses the same danger that Schultz will on the mat.
As such, it’s not inconceivable that there are as yet unexposed holes in his grappling defense that a finisher like “Party Time” will ruthlessly exploit. Even in defeat, Schultz acquitted himself well against the aforementioned Abdul-Malik, overcoming a significant edge in overall athleticism to cause some legitimate problems for the undefeated American.
However, while he’s undoubtedly a live dog in this one, Schultz’s goofy striking and porous defense looks tailor made for someone like Pinas to bomb him with something murderous in the early goings. Abdul-Malik’s base is grappling and he still managed to wobble “Party Time” on the feet on multiple occasions prior to a ground and pound stoppage.
In short, that bodes ill against a striker of Pinas’ ferocity. The pick is “The Baba Yaga” by TKO.
Prediction: Damian Pinas to win by TKO
