Venue Location
Arena CDMX (formerly Palacio de los Deportes), Mexico City, Mexico. This massive indoor arena in central Mexico City sits at high altitude (~7,350 ft / 2,240 m), which frequently tests cardio and favors fighters with strong grappling bases, efficient striking, or proven ability to manage pace without gassing. The Octagon setup offers great sightlines for the passionate crowd, expected to create electric energy for the prelims.
Ringwalks are scheduled for
- Prelims: 5:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM CST (Paramount+)
- Main Card: 8:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM CST (Paramount+)
The Damian Pinas vs. Wes Schultz middleweight bout is on the preliminary card (mid-to-late prelims, likely fights 5–9 of 13 total). Expected walkout around 6:00–7:30 PM ET, depending on earlier fight lengths. Full event duration: 4–5+ hours.
Injury Report
No reported injuries, withdrawals, or health flags for either fighter as of February 23–24, 2026.
- Damian Pinas (“The Baba Yaga”) is fully healthy post his DWCS knockout win; no issues noted in camp.
- Wes Schultz (“Party Time”) has been durable through his regional and DWCS path; no acute concerns publicized. Both are cleared medically. Altitude training is emphasized for this card—neither has reported adaptation problems.
Fighter Matchups / Tale of the Tape
Damian Pinas (“The Baba Yaga”) vs. Wes Schultz (“Party Time”) – Middleweight (185 lbs)
- Pinas: 23 years old (born March 12, 2002), 8-1-0 pro (UFC debut), 6’1″ (186 cm), 79.5″ reach, orthodox, Aruba/Suriname roots, trains at Nova União (Brazil). Explosive finisher (7 KO/TKO, 1 SUB; 100% finish rate in wins), powerful striking, and improving grappling. Sole loss via DQ (illegal kick).
- Schultz: 29 years old (born August 9, 1996), 8-2-0 pro (UFC debut), 6’2″ (188 cm), ~74–76″ reach (estimated), orthodox/southpaw capable, USA (Pura Vida BJJ). Wrestling-heavy base with submission skills (earned DWCS contract via Suloev stretch), solid durability, but less finishing power.
Style Breakdown: Pinas is a high-threat finisher with knockout power (88% of wins by KO/TKO) and length advantage; excels in early aggression. Schultz brings wrestling control, ground pressure, and heart but has lower striking volume and has been outstruck in tougher spots. Pinas holds edges in youth, reach, power, and finishing instinct; Schultz’s grappling could extend the fight if he avoids early bombs.
Recent Form
- Pinas (8-1, 4-fight win streak): Red-hot prospect. Earned UFC contract with a devastating first-round KO/TKO (jab-cross, 1:46) over Vitor Costa on Dana White’s Contender Series (September 30/October 1, 2025). Prior regional wins mostly finishes; lone blemish a DQ loss in 2024. Trains at elite Nova União—sharp, explosive, and motivated for debut.
- Schultz (8-2, recent win): Solid but tested. Impressed on DWCS Season 9 with a submission win (Suloev stretch) over Mario Mingaj after a prior Season 8 loss to Mansur Abdul-Malik. Regional form strong with finishes, but UFC debut after second DWCS shot raises questions on adaptation to Octagon pace.
Fight History / Key Notes
No prior meetings. Pinas has never gone to decision in wins—pure finisher with power and length. Schultz is durable (no quick KO losses) but relies on grinding wrestling; his DWCS path shows resilience but vulnerability to strikers. This is a classic “power prospect vs. wrestling vet” debut matchup on a high-altitude card where early finishes are common. Pinas gets the home-region crowd boost (Latin American ties); Schultz aims to control and survive early storm.
FIGHT ODDS
Damian Pinas – 250
Wes Schultz + 175
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, February 27, 2026
