SerpApi.Org
Damian Pinas continues to generate buzz following his latest knockout victory in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Nova Uniao head coach Andre Pederneiras believes the surging middleweight is unlike anyone he has coached before.
Pinas bagged another UFC victory with a first-round knockout of Cesar Almeida at UFC 329. The Aruba native has now recorded nine knockouts in 10 professional victories, with one submission.
Andre Pederneiras discusses Damian Pinas after UFC 329 knockout
Pederneiras, who has spent more than three decades developing elite mixed martial artists, told Sherdog's Marcelo Alonso that he immediately recognized Pinas' potential when he arrived at Nova Uniao for a tryout in 2024.
"I've held pads for a lot of heavyweights, including elite strikers, and I've never seen anyone hit as hard as he does," Pederneiras said. "Right away I realized he was a special talent, and from that moment on he started training with us ... Besides being incredibly strong, he learns extremely fast. He's already submitting black belts during our no-gi training sessions."
Despite his rapid ascent, Pinas has insisted he is not rushing toward title contention.
"When I joined Shooto, I said it would take me five years to reach the UFC, but I made it in three," Pinas said. "So, let's say five years to win the belt sounds good. I'm only 24 years old -- I have plenty of time."
Pinas also told Sherdog that beyond hopes of a championship, he wants to inspire children throughout Aruba, Suriname and the Caribbean to pursue their dreams.
