UFC Rising Star Called Single Biggest Power Puncher Ever After Jaw-Breaking KO — W

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Damian Pinas has never heard a judges’ decision in his professional MMA career. The Suriname-born, Aruba-based middleweight has finished all 11 of his professional victories, with 10 coming by knockout and one by submission. His only career blemish came via disqualification in March 2024, meaning no opponent has ever truly defeated him inside the cage.

Nicknamed “The Baba Yaga,” the 24-year-old has built a reputation as one of the most devastating finishers in the sport today.

UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has even called him the “single biggest power puncher” in MMA history following his latest performance at UFC 332, while Joe Rogan compared him to former three-time world champion and Hall of Fame boxer, Julian Jackson.

Daniel Cormier, Joe Rogan, and Jon Anik reacting after a UFC event.Chris Unger-GettyImages

Pinas trains at Nova União under the tutelage of legends like José Aldo, and his rise has been nothing short of meteoric.

What makes Pinas unique is not just his power, but his efficiency and technique. Eight of his professional finishes have come in the first round, and his average fight time sits at just over three minutes. The “Baba Yaga” moniker, a reference to a fearsome figure from Slavic folklore, could not be more fitting for a fighter who has never needed more than two rounds to end a fight.

The Early Regional Finishes

Pinas began his professional career in August 2022 with a second-round TKO of Jeandrick Croes at Caribbean FC 8 in Aruba. 

He followed that up three months later with a first-round TKO against Julio Cesar at AFC 11, showcasing the finishing instinct that would define his career.

His first and only ever submission win in his pro MMA career came in April 2023, when Pinas dispatched Sebastian Villalobos with a brutal D’Arce choke at Aruba Madness 4.

He then followed up his submission with a 16-second head kick KO months later against Leonardo Ruiz at Aruba Fighting Championship. While no video footage exists of that fight, that victory remains the fastest finish of his career and demonstrated his ability to end fights with any weapon.

Rise After DQ Loss

After his sole professional loss to Italo Gomes ended in him throwing an illegal head kick during their Shooto Brasil bout in March 2024, Pinas returned with a vengeance by rattling off three consecutive knockouts.

The streak started with a middleweight championship victory at Victory Extreme Fighting Championship in June 2024 against Carlos Matos.

He then returned to Shooto Brasil to knock out Jhony Gregory and Wesley Silva in the first round. 

Dana White’s Contender Series

Those performances earned Pinas a shot on Dana White’s Contender Series in September 2025. 

Facing Vitor Costa, Pinas landed a devastating right hand to the temple that sent his opponent crashing to the canvas. 

Referee Herb Dean stopped the fight at 1:46 of the first round, and Pinas walked away with a UFC contract.

The Contender Series finish was particularly impressive because Costa entered the bout with an 8-1 record and was considered a legitimate prospect himself. Pinas’ ability to find the chin of a durable opponent in under two minutes reinforced that he was ready for the UFC stage.

UFC Dominance and the Pulyaev Masterpiece

Pinas made his UFC debut in February 2026 and needed just 2:30 to stop Wes Schultz via strikes. 

He followed that with a first-round knockout of Cesar Almeida at UFC 329 in July 2026, finishing the fight at 4:44 of the opening frame. 

The two victories established him as a legitimate threat in the middleweight division.

His most spectacular finish to date came at UFC 332 in October 2026 against Andrey Pulyaev. 

Pinas landed a perfectly timed uppercut from close range that immediately rendered Pulyaev unconscious, with referee Herb Dean stepping in at just 1:15 of the first round. The knockout went viral across social media and prompted widespread praise from the MMA community.

Dana White even confirmed at the post-fight press conference that Pinas broke his opponent’s jaw.

In his post-fight interview, Pinas made it clear that opponents have yet to see his best. 

“That was not my full power again. That was my warm-up,” Pinas told Joe Rogan. 

With six straight first-round knockouts and a perfect finish rate, the “Baba Yaga” has positioned himself as one of the most dangerous fighters in the UFC middleweight division, and possibly the UFC’s next superstar.

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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Oct 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the MMA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.