The UFC has announced the first bout for UFC 329, scheduled for July 11th during International Fight Week. Damian Pinas will face Cesar Almeida in a middleweight matchup. Pinas, who is 1-0 in the UFC, made his promotional debut in February at just 24 years old. All of his career victories have come by finish, with his only loss being a disqualification for an illegal strike. Almeida brings a 3-2 UFC record into the contest. The bout was reported by Marcel Dorff.
The UFC has officially announced its first bout for UFC 329, set to take place on July 11 during International Fight Week. Damian "The Babayaga" Pinas will meet Cesar "Cesinha" Almeida in a middleweight contest, as reported by Marcel Dorff.
Pinas is one of the more intriguing young prospects in the division. The 24-year-old carries a 9-1-0 professional record into the fight, with his lone blemish coming via disqualification for an illegal strike. Every other loss column is blank — all nine of his wins have come by finish. Standing six-foot-one with an exceptional 79-inch reach, Pinas generates a striking rate of 7.5 significant strikes landed per minute at 56 percent accuracy, numbers that signal an aggressive, high-output style. He is currently 1-0 inside the UFC following his promotional debut in February.
Almeida, a 38-year-old Brazilian out of Lotus MMA, brings considerably more octagon experience to the matchup. He holds a 7-2-0 overall record and has gone 3-2 in the UFC. The six-foot-one orthodox striker owns a 74-inch reach and lands 3.46 significant strikes per minute at an impressive 58 percent accuracy, suggesting a more measured, precise approach than his younger opponent.
Why it matters
- Pinas enters as one of the division's most talked-about newcomers, and a strong performance could push him into the ranked picture quickly
- Almeida's UFC experience and striking accuracy make him a legitimate test for a prospect still finding his footing at this level
- The contrast in reach — Pinas holds a five-inch advantage at 79 inches versus 74 — figures to be a key physical factor in the striking exchanges
- A middleweight win for either fighter during International Fight Week carries extra visibility heading into the second half of 2026
