The UFC has announced the first bout for UFC 329, which will take place on July 11 during international fight week. Damian Pinas will face Cesar Almeida in a middleweight matchup. Pinas is 1-0 in the UFC after debuting in February, with all his victories coming by finish and his only career loss by disqualification for an illegal strike. The 24-year-old fighter from Aruba will take on Almeida, who holds a 3-2 record in the UFC. The source for this announcement is Marcel Dorff.
The UFC has officially announced a middleweight clash between Damian Pinas and Cesar Almeida as the first confirmed bout for UFC 329, scheduled for July 11 during International Fight Week. The matchup was reported by Marcel Dorff.
Pinas, nicknamed "The Babayaga," enters the fight at just 24 years old with an overall record of 9-1-0. The Aruban fighter made his promotional debut in February and is now 1-0 inside the octagon, with every victory on his record coming by finish. His sole career loss came by disqualification after an illegal strike. Standing six-foot-one with an exceptional 79-inch reach, Pinas brings significant striking volume to the cage, averaging 7.5 significant strikes landed per minute at 56 percent accuracy.
Almeida, known as "Cesinha," is a 38-year-old Brazilian fighting out of Lotus MMA. He carries a professional record of 7-2-0 and holds a 3-2 mark in the UFC. The orthodox striker stands six-foot-one with a 74-inch reach and lands 3.46 significant strikes per minute with an impressive 58 percent striking accuracy. He also contributes a modest submission threat, averaging 0.2 attempts per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Pinas arrives with elite striking output and a considerable reach advantage of five inches over Almeida, setting up a compelling stylistic contrast
- Almeida's higher striking accuracy could offset his opponent's volume at middleweight
- A win for either fighter carries real divisional momentum heading into the second half of 2026
- The bout anchors UFC 329's early card during one of the most high-profile weeks on the MMA calendar
