Ultimate Fighting Championship has changed the way opponents and fans view him.
Pinas returns to action on October 3 at UFC 332 against in Salt Lake City Andrei Pulyaev. Middleweight prospect says he’ll be treated differently after earning back-to-back records
Dana White Candidate Series.
Damian Pinas says ending up with the UFC changed people’s perception of him
Pinas (10-1) has achieved all 10 of his professional victories, including nine by knockout and one by submission. However, Pinas believes that his recent success in the UFC has brought him more recognition. Ahead of his fight at UFC 332, “The Baba Yaga” discussed how expectations have changed since his recent performances.
“Yeah, since my last fight, everyone has given me more respect and recognition; they didn’t count me out because they counted me out before, now they’re putting it on my name because I’ve worked so hard to get to the UFC this year… It’s amazing,” Pinas said in a pre-fight interview.
Pinas also claims there’s more to his game than what he’s shown in the UFC, though he plans to keep that part of his arsenal under wraps for now.
“Now, my wrestling area… No one saw my wrestling,” Pinas added. “Everybody thinks I have no wrestling but I keep quiet… One day I’ll show you guys.”
“He has nowhere to go.”
Damian Pinas is happy to see his hard work pay off and hopes to extend his first-round knockout streak to three in the UFC on Oct. 3. #UFC332
Fight by Fight preview ➡️: https://t.co/Sw9Lgv3uJ3 pic.twitter.com/Gpi6WtSQg5
— UFC News (@UFCNews)
30 September 2026
