UFC San Antonio winner considering retirement unless better contract offered
UFC San Antonio, which went down on Saturday night at the AT&T Center in Texas, saw a varied mix of fighters compared to the usual fight nights.
Unfortunately, a flyweight matchup between Alex Perez and Manel Kape, originally scheduled to start off the main-card action, fell through at the last minute. The UFC San Antonio main-card was opened by featherweight veteran Daniel Pineda taking on Tucker Lutz.
Pineda put on a dominant display in his home state, dropping 'Top Gun' in the very first round. 'The Pit' came out even more aggressive in the second frame, once again dropping his opponent with heavy knees. The veteran did not let Lutz get back up this time, sinking a deep guillotine to earn the finish at 2:50 of the round.
Daniel Pineda guilhotina Tucker Lutz.
#UFCSanAntonio
https://t.co/Gp4DjQVpgi
According to MMA Junkie's Danny Segura, Daniel Pineda subsequently told reporters that he exhausted his current UFC contract with his win over Lutz on Saturday night. The 38-year-old is also reportedly contemplating retirement unless he gets a better deal. Segura wrote on Twitter:
"Daniel Pineda told us backstage that he fought out his UFC contract tonight with his submission win over Tucker Lutz. He's contemplating retirement unless he gets a more lucrative contract. #UFCSanAntonio"
Daniel Pineda told us backstage that he fought out his UFC contract tonight with his submission win over Tucker Lutz.
He's contemplating retirement unless he gets a more lucrative contract. #UFCSanAntonio
Daniel Pineda returned at UFC San Antonio after a ban due to a drug test failure
Daniel Pineda has always had a bumpy ride in the UFC barring back-to-back first-round submission wins to start his journey in the promotion in 2012. 'Top Pit' never managed to mount a winning streak again, suffering five losses in nine outings.
Prior to his victory over Tucker Lutz at UFC San Antonio, Pineda last fought Andre Fili in June 2021. The fight ended in a no contest after an accidental eye poke in the second round rendered 'The Pit' unable to continue.
Subsequently, the urine sample provided by Pineda on fight night tested positive for amphetamine, which is banned by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Apart from being fined $2,554.38, the UFC veteran was handed a nine-month suspension, making him unable to compete until March 26, 2022.
This wasn't Pineda's first drug test failure as 'The Pit' was pulled from a PFL featherweight tournament final back in 2019 due to an elevated testosterone-to-epitestosterone ratio.
PFL's Lance Palmer says he'll be fighting Alex Gilpin in the finals, rather than Daniel Pineda due to Pineda's failed drug test. Per Palmer's Instagram #PFLPlayoffs https://t.co/s34Ydk1dsu