Las Vegas — Middleweight Damian Pinas put away Vitor Costa with a 1-2 as part of their Contender Series showdown on Tuesday, taking a little over 90 seconds to earn himself a UFC deal.
The win means Pinas now gets to represent Aruba in the UFC, with “The Babayaga” becoming the first to represent the Caribbean nation in the promotion.
“I dreamed about it, but now it’s something that’s become reality. It feels so amazing to get a contract, to be a UFC fighter from Aruba, and I’m ready to represent my people,” Pinas (8-1) told media outlets including Cageside Press following his fight at the UFC Apex. “It’s amazing, man.”
Now officially a UFC fighter, Pinas doesn’t want to waste any time, and is already asking for a debut date. “I want to fight as soon as possible. I asked Dana White already to put me next week, but if that doesn’t happen, give me November, give me December, I don’t know.”
“Give me one date, because I want to make my debut so fast. Before the year closes, I want to fight one more fight. Because I want to be the champion. I’m here to be the champion; to be the champion, you need to fight, [be] active and get some wins.”
Big cards like next month’s Madison Square Garden event also appeal to Pinas. “That’s what I wanted,” he stated.
Watch the full DWCS post-fight press conference with Damian Pinas above.
