It took six years, but Daniel Pineda never doubted he’d return to the UFC.
Six years after his UFC release, [autotag]Daniel Pineda[/autotag] is back in the UFC.
After stops in Bellator, the PFL, LFA, and Fury FC, Pineda (26-13 MMA, 3-4 UFC) inked a UFC contract earlier this year. There were ups and downs along the way, but Pineda said he never questioned he’d be back.
“It feels good,” Pineda told MMA Junkie at a virtual UFC 252 pre-fight news conference Wednesday. “It was not a (long training) camp but it feels good to be back, man. I’m happy to be here. … I knew I was going to get back and give it another run. I’ve been telling the coaches and everybody I’m going to give it one more run. This is the run I’m giving.”
Prior to re-signing with the UFC, Pineda competed in PFL’s 2019 featherweight tournament. As a post-season replacement, Pineda won two fights in one night to punch his ticket into the $1 million finale. However, Pineda was flagged for having an elevated testosterone-to-epitestosterone ratio in his system. As a result, his wins were overturned to no-contests and he was suspended six months.
Despite the controversy and sidelining, Pineda had his mind elsewhere. His wife was pregnant and just birthed a baby girl. Pineda has largely been focusing on helping out his family
“You work so hard and then that happened,” Pineda said. “I mean, it just sucked, you know? … (But) I haven’t been thinking of any of that. I just had my baby girl. She’s two months. My wife has been pregnant for nine months. I’ve just been taking care of my baby and trying to work out. I knew I was going to get back in here. I knew I was going to get back in here.
“Now it’s just time to prove myself to myself and to all the fans out there and everybody else – and whoever is doubting me out there. All they do is doubt. Just wait – come Saturday night.”
[lawrence-related id=544265,544277,544104]
Pineda has two goals for his second UFC stint, which kicks off Saturday at UFC 252. He’ll take on Herbert Burns in the main card opener.
“(I’m going to) get to the top and make as much money as I can,” Pineda said. “That’s exactly what my second run is – make as much money as I can so I can support my baby and my girl at home.”
UFC 252 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN/ESPN+.
Herbert Burns has a high opinion of UFC 252 opponent Daniel Pineda.
[autotag]Herbert Burns[/autotag] has a high opinion of UFC 252 opponent [autotag]Daniel Pineda[/autotag]. In fact, he’s willing to go so far as to put him in the same sentence as UFC featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski.
Burns (11-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC) has said leading up to Saturday’s event, which takes place at UFC Apex in Las Vegas and airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+, that he thinks Pineda (26-13, 3-4 UFC) is a “more dangerous” opponent than Volkanovski (22-1 MMA, 9-0 UFC). Many would scoff at that notion, but the Brazilian competitor doubled down on his opinion during Thursday’s virtual media day.
“Daniel Pineda doesn’t go to decision,” Burns told reporters, including MMA Junkie. “He’s not a decision man. He goes there and finishes the job and doesn’t let the judges dictate the results of the fight. He always goes to for the finish. That’s why I think he’s more dangerous than Volkanovski. He’s dangerous and goes for the knockout or submission. That’s why he’s more dangerous than the champion.”
[lawrence-related id=543758,543764]
After introducing himself to the UFC through Dana White’s Contender Series in August 2019, Burns has made his mark quickly. He’s picked up first-round finishes at UFC on ESPN+ 24 in January and UFC 250 in June, and now he’s primed for his third contest.
Burns said he’s feeling increasingly comfortable in the octagon, and is chasing a statement win over Pineda.
“It will be my third fight here at the (UFC) Apex and so far two submission victories here in the first round,” Burns said. “Hopefully I can keep the same thing going. … They will close the cage and it will just be me and Daniel Pineda there and it will be a war and I will be victorious.”
If Burns can push his UFC start to 3-0, he said he anticipates making a big jump in the featherweight pecking order. He said he carries the same approach for his career as his brother, Gilbert Burns, and clearly it’s been a productive mentality.
“Whoever wants to be the champion, you can’t choose your opponents,” Burns said. “That’s why I’m not going to choose opponents I’m just going to fight to the top. … I think with this victory over Pineda, a very tough opponent, I should be inside the rankings.”
The best facts and figures about UFC 252, which features a Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier heavyweight title trilogy in the main event.
The UFC returns to pay-per-view Saturday with UFC 252. The five-fight lineup follows prelims on ESPN and ESPN+ and goes down at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
A pivotal moment in the sport’s history will unfold in the main event as UFC heavyweight champion [autotag]Stipe Miocic[/autotag] (19-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) and former two-division titleholder [autotag]Daniel Cormier[/autotag] (22-2 MMA, 11-2 UFC) will clash for the third and final time. The winner not only will have the belt and bragging rights for winning the trilogy, but they’ll also carry the distinction of greatest heavyweight in UFC history, according to UFC president Dana White.
Miocic and Cormier both bring extraordinary and decorated resumes to the octagon. For more on the numbers behind their fight, as well as the rest of the card, check below for 60 pre-event facts about UFC 252.
[lawrence-related id=543758,543764]
* * * *
Main event
Stipe Miocic
Miocic becomes the first in history to face the same opponent in three consecutive UFC fights.
Miocic is one of four heavyweight champions in UFC history to have multiple reigns.
Miocic’s five UFC heavyweight title fight victories are tied with Tim Sylvia for second most in divisional history behind Randy Couture (six).
Miocic’s three consecutive UFC heavyweight title defense during his first reign were the most of any champion in divisional history.
Miocic’s 13 victories in UFC heavyweight competition are tied for fifth most in divisional history behind Andrei Arlovski (18), Frank Mir (16), Junior Dos Santos (15) and Derrick Lewis (15).
Miocic’s nine knockout victories in UFC heavyweight competition are tied for fourth most in divisional history behind Lewis (11), Dos Santos (10) and Cain Velasquez (10).
Miocic’s stoppage victory at UFC 241 despite a -58 significant strike deficit is the second largest comeback in a UFC title fight behind Anderson Silva’s win over Chael Sonnen at UFC 117 (-60).
Miocic and Cormier combined for 304 significant strikes landed at UFC 241, the single-fight record for a UFC heavyweight fight.
Miocic’s nine fight-night bonuses for UFC heavyweight bouts are the most in divisional history.
Daniel Cormier
Cormier is one of four simultaneous two-division champions in UFC history. Conor McGregor, Amanda Nunes and Henry Cejudo also accomplished the feat.
Cormier is one of seven two-division champions in UFC history. McGregor, Nunes, Cejudo, Georges St-Pierre, B.J. Penn and Randy Couture also accomplished the feat.
Cormier is one of three fighters in UFC history to record successful title defenses in two weight classes. Cejudo an Nunes also accomplished the feat.
Cormier is one of five fighters in UFC history to win a belt while coming off a loss. He accomplished the feat against Anthony Johnson at UFC 187.
Cormier is one of two fighters in UFC history to win two title fights following a loss or no-contest. Couture also accomplished the feat.
Cormier competes in the 17th heavyweight bout of his career. He’s 15-1 overall in the weight class.
Cormier lands 62.9 percent of his significant strike attempts in UFC heavyweight competition, the third best rate in divisional history behind Alistair Overeem (74 percent) and Anthony Hamilton (65.6 percent).
Cormier and Alexander Gustafsson combined for 260 significant strikes at UFC 192, a single-fight record for a UFC light-heavyweight bout.
Cormier’s 140 significant strikes landed against Gustafsson are second most in a UFC light-heavyweight bout behind Cyrille Diabate’s 146 at UFC on VERSUS 3.
Cormier is one of nine fighters in UFC history to earn a knockout stemming from the crucifix position. He accomplished the feat at UFC 220.
Cormier is 9-0 in his career when he lands at least two takedowns in a fight.
Cormier has spent just 12 seconds in bottom position in UFC heavyweight competition, the least in divisional history for anyone with at least five fights.
Co-main event
[autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag]’s (12-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) four-fight UFC winning streak at bantamweight is tied for the fourth longest active streak in the division behind Petr Yan (seven) Aljamain Sterling (five) and Marlon Vera (five).
Marlon Vera’s (15-6-1 MMA, 9-5 UFC) five-fight UFC winning streak at bantamweight is tied with Sterling for the second longest active streak in the division behind Yan (seven).
Vera has earned eight of his nine UFC victories by stoppage.
Vera’s seven stoppage victories in UFC bantamweight competition are tied with Urijah Faber for second most in divisional history behind T.J. Dillashaw (eight).
Vera’s four submission victories in UFC bantamweight competition are tied for third most in divisional history behind Faber (six) and Rani Yahya (five).
Featured bout
Junior Dos Santos
[autotag]Junior Dos Santos[/autotag] (21-7 MMA, 15-6 UFC) enters the event on the first losing skid of his career. He hasn’t earned a victory since March 2019.
Dos Santos’ total fight time of 3:50:40 in UFC heavyweight competition is second most in company history behind Arlovski (4:48:42).
Dos Santos’ 15 victories in UFC heavyweight competition are tied for third most in divisional history behind Arlovski (17) and Mir (16).
Dos Santos’ 10 knockout victories in UFC heavyweight competition are tied with Velasquez for second most in divisional history behind Lewis (11).
Dos Santos’ 14 knockdowns landed in UFC heavyweight competition are the most in divisional history.
Dos Santos has landed 1,075 significant strikes in UFC heavyweight competition, the most in divisional history.
Dos Santos and Ben Rothwell combined for 234 significant strikes landed at UFC Fight Night 86, the third most in a single UFC heavyweight fight behind Miocic vs. Cormier (304) at UFC 241 and Fabricio Werdum vs. Marcin Tybura (282) at UFC Fight Night 121.
Dos Santos’ 157 significant strikes landed against Rothwell are second most in a UFC heavyweight fight behind Cormier (181) at UFC 241.
Dos Santos’ 92 significant body strikes landed against Rothwell are the UFC heavyweight record for a single fight.
Dos Santos defends 81.8 percent of all opponent takedown attempts in UFC heavyweight competition, the second-best rate in divisional history behind Tybura (82.1 percent).
[autotag]Jairzinho Rozenstruik[/autotag] (10-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) has earned nine of his 10 career victories by stoppage. He’s finished all of those wins by knockout.
Rozenstruik’s nine-second knockout at UFC on ESPN+ 12 is the second fastest in UFC heavyweight history behind Todd Duffee’s seven-second finish at UFC 102.
Rozenstruik’s knockout of Alistair Overeem at the 4:56 mark of Round 5 at UFC on ESPN 7 marked the third latest stoppage in UFC history behind Demetrious Johnson’s win (4:59 of Round 5) at UFC 186 and Yair Rodriguez’s victory (4:59 of Round 5) at UFC Fight Night 139.
Remaining main card
[autotag]Daniel Pineda[/autotag] (26-13 MMA, 3-4 UFC) returns to the UFC for the first time since March 2014. He went 8-2 with two no contests between stints with the promotion.
Pineda has earned all 26 of his career victories by stoppage. He’s finished 18 of those wins by submission.
[autotag]John Dodson[/autotag] (21-11 MMA, 10-6 UFC) is 4-4 since he returned to the UFC bantamweight division in April 2016. He’s 5-4 in the weight class overall.
Dodson has earned all six of his UFC stoppage victories by knockout.
Dodson has fought to three split decision results in UFC bantamweight competition, tied for second most in divisional history behind Kyung Ho Kang (four).
[autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag] (11-4 MMA, 4-2 UFC) has earned eight of his 11 career victories by decision. That includes all four of his UFC wins.
Dvalishvili’s 39 takedowns landed in UFC bantamweight competition are most in divisional history.
Dvalishvili is one of two fighters in history to land 10 or more takedowns in three separate UFC bouts. Demetrious Johnson also accomplished the feat.
Dvalishvili outlanded Terrion Ware by 183 total strikes at UFC Fight Night 136, the largest differential in a single UFC/WEC bantamweight bout.
Preliminary card
Jim Miller
[autotag]Jim Miller[/autotag] (32-14 MMA, 21-13 UFC) competes in his 36th UFC bout, the most appearances in company history. His 34th lightweight appearance is also a divisional record.
Miller’s total fight time of 5:21:47 in UFC lightweight competition is most in divisional history.
Miller’s 21 victories in UFC competition are third most in company history behind Donald Cerrone (23) and Demian Maia (22).
Miller’s 19 victories in UFC lightweight competition are the most in divisional history.
Miller’s 12 stoppage victories in UFC lightweight competition are second most in divisional history behind Joe Lauzon (13).
Miller’s 10 submission victories in UFC competition are tied with Royce Gracie for third most in history behind Charles Oliveira (14) and Maia (11).
Miller’s nine submission victories in UFC lightweight competition are most in divisional history.
Miller’s 43 submission attempts in UFC competition are the most in company history.
Miller’s 11 fight-night bonuses for UFC lightweight bouts are tied with Nate Diaz for third most in divisional history behind Cerrone (15) and Lauzon (15).
[autotag]Vinc Pichel[/autotag] (12-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) is 3-1 since he returned from a career-long layoff that lasted from May 2014 to June 2017.
Pichel lands 60.6 percent of his takedown attempts in UFC lightweight competition, the second-highest rate among active fighters in the division behind Islam Makhachev (68 percent).
[autotag]Felice Herrig[/autotag] (14-8 MMA, 5-3 UFC) returns to competition for the first time since Oct. 6, 2018. The 679-day layoff (nearly two years) is the longest of her more than 11-year career.
[autotag]Ashley Yoder[/autotag] (7-5 MMA, 2-4 UFC) was awarded the first 30-24 scorecard in a women’s UFC fight at UFC on ESPN+ 12.
UFC research analyst and live statistics producer Michael Carroll contributed to this story. Follow him on Twitter @MJCflipdascript.
Daniel Pineda was granted some leniency by the Nevada commission after admitting fault for his drug test failure in the PFL playoffs.
[autotag]Daniel Pineda[/autotag] quickly admitted fault for his use of a banned substance in the 2019 PFL Playoffs, and for that reason the Nevada Athletic Commission has showed some leniency.
Following his back-to-back first-round finishes at the PFL postseason event in October, Pineda (26-13) was flagged for having an elevated testosterone-to-epitestosterone ratio in his system. The tests pulled him from the $1 million featherweight title fight, and he’s been dealing with the fallout since.
At Wednesday’s NAC meeting, a settlement between Pineda and the commission was announced. Because he quickly owned up to use of a banned substance, Pineda was dealt just a six-month suspension, which will conclude April 18.
In addition, Pineda also was issued a $12,500 fine and will be required to pay $981.18 in prosecution fees. His suspension won’t be lifted until he reimburses both amounts or enters into a payment plan with the commission to do so.
Pineda must also provide the commission with clean drug tests 30, 15 and three days out from his next contest in Nevada. Pineda’s two wins from the PFL event against Jeremy Kennedy and Movlid Khaybulaev have been overturned to no contests.
Neither Pineda nor his representatives were on hand at the meeting to issue comment.
PFL featherweight Daniel Pineda is out of his $1M fight with Lance Palmer after his NAC hearing was postponed until next month.
PFL dark horse [autotag]Daniel Pineda[/autotag] won’t compete on New Year’s Eve after all.
The former UFC fighter’s improbable run in the 2019 PFL featherweight playoffs was one of the main storylines leading into the finals on Dec. 31 in New York.
However on Nov. 14, MMA Junkie learned Pineda had failed a drug test. The positive result, stemming from an Oct. 17 test, means he is out of his $1M championship fight with Lance Palmer. Palmer will instead face alternate Alex Gilpin, per sources with knowledge of the situation.
In a post on social media, Pineda denied having taken any “steroids” and indicated sex pills may have been the culprit.
Furthermore, Pineda’s manager, Jason House, issued the following statement to MMA Junkie:
“Right now we’re in the process of researching what could have led to a positive test. We plan on appealing the decision once all information is gathered.”
On Wednesday, the Nevada Athletic Commission held their monthly meeting and Pineda’s case was one of the topics on the agenda.
Initially, Pineda’s representative was eager to plead his case to the commission. However before he could get started, the NAC informed him by doing so, he’d forfeit his ability to reach a settlement, something Pineda’s team also seemingly wanted to do.
After a 15-minute intermission, Pineda’s representative elected not to argue his case before the commission Wednesday. Instead, the hearing was tabled until the NAC’s next meeting in January.
[lawrence-related id=472359,468454]
Pineda wasn’t the only PFL fighter who had a hearing Wednesday. Light heavyweight [autotag]Alex Nicholson[/autotag] was suspended four years and fined over $15,000 for testing positive for three anabolic steroids, stemming from an Oct. 31 test.
Additionally, former UFC fighter and TUF 13 runner-up [autotag]Ramsey Nijem[/autotag] was suspended nine months and fined 15 percent of his purse ($3,750),as a result of a positive test for marijuana metabolites. Nijem didn’t respond to the NAC’s inquiries regarding the test.
[autotag]Luiz Rafael Laurentino[/autotag] was suspended 12 months, as a result of a positive test for stanozolol, an androgenic anabolic steroid. The Brazilian was also fined 20 percent of his purse ($5,000) and will have to pay an additional $363.40 in prosecution fees. Laurentino didn’t respond to the NAC’s inquiries regarding the test.
Former TUF Brazil competitor and UFC fighter [autotag]Glaico Franca[/autotag] also went before the commission. Like Pineda, Franca’s temporary suspension was extended and his hearing was tabled until January.
PFL featherweight finalist Daniel Pineda will soon find out if he’s still eligible to compete for $1 million.
With featherweight finalist [autotag]Daniel Pineda[/autotag] set to go before the Nevada Athletic Commission regarding his recent drug test mishap, the PFL on Wednesday announced a list of championship alternates.
They are as follows:
Featherweight: [autotag]Alex Gilpin[/autotag]
Women’s lightweight: Sarah Kaufman
Lightweight: Chris Wade
Welterweight: Glaico Franca (second alternate is Chris Curtis)
Light heavyweight: Bozigit Ataev
Heavyweight: Denis Goltsov
Pineda was flagged last month by the NAC, leaving his eligibility for the $1 million title fight in jeopardy. After weeks without comment, the PFL deemed it “an irregular test result.” Pineda is scheduled to go before the NAC on Dec. 18, when it’s expected to be determined if he’ll face defending 145-pound champion [autotag]Lance Palmer[/autotag].
“The PFL believes all athletes deserve due process and will, within reason, provide the fighters who earned their way into the finals every opportunity to compete on New Year’s Eve,” PFL CEO Peter Murray said in a statement. “The league, as always, will abide by the final ruling of the commission.”
If Pineda is suspended, then Gilpin, who lost in the semifinals to Palmer, would get a rematch.
The PFL 2019 Championship takes place Dec. 31 at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York and airs on ESPN2.
PFL 2019 Championship lineup includes:
Kayla Harrison vs. Larissa Pacheco – women’s lightweight final
David Michaud vs. Ray Cooper III – welterweight final
Lance Palmer vs. Opponent TBA – featherweight final
Natan Schulte vs. Loik Radzhabov – lightweight final
Emiliano Sordi vs. Jordan Johnson – light heavyweight final
Daniel Pineda has failed a drug test, which will likely knock him out of his $1 million final against Lance Palmer on Dec. 31.
[autotag]Daniel Pineda[/autotag] might not be fighting in the PFL finals on New Year’s Eve after all.
Pineda (28-13), who reached the featherweight playoff final, has failed a Nevada Athletic Commission-administered drug test. Without being overturned, the test likely will knock him out of his $1 million featherweight final against Lance Palmer on Dec. 31.
A person with knowledge of the situation told MMA Junkie of the positive drug test on Thursday. The person asked to remain anonymous since neither the promotion nor the NAC has made an announcement.
The exact substance or reason for Pineda’s test failure is not known. It’s also unclear who would replace Pineda in the tournament final if he’s not allowed to compete.
When contacted, Pineda’s manager, Jason House, issued the following statement to MMA Junkie:
“Right now we’re in the process of researching what could have led to a positive test. We plan on appealing the decision once all information is gathered.”
Pineda later took to Twitter claiming that “no steroids or drugs” were found in his system.
Damn..I guess them dick pills finally caught up to me… lol🖕🏼#commission
For the record no “steroids” or drugs were found in my system!
The PFL declined to comment on the matter. The NAC could not be reached for comment at the time of publication.
[lawrence-related id=458281,453998]
Pineda, who has UFC experience, was an improbable underdog entering the semifinals in mid-October. Without having competed once in the regular season, Pineda replaced injured Damon Jackson in the playoffs.
In the first of two scheduled fights in the same night, Pineda finished Movlid Khaybulaev in 29 seconds by knockout. His second performance against Jeremy Kennedy took a little bit longer, but Pineda got the job done by first-round guillotine choke.
PFL’s 2019 playoff finals take place Dec. 31 at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York. The card airs on ESPN2.
