Daniel Pineda has established himself as a formidable force in UFC thanks to his unparalleled 100% finishing rate. While some fighters are preoccupied with chasing championship titles and rankings, Pineda has a singular focus: earning the biggest paycheck possible. Money, coupled with the desire to provide for his family, is what drives Pineda’s dedication to his sport.

Social media hype and self-promotion are of little interest to Pineda; he is solely focused on winning and seizing every opportunity to earn the Performance of the Night bonus. These bonuses, in his words, “change your life”. He believes that leaving it to the judges is unacceptable; a personal preference paired with a disdain for what he deems half-trained judges who make questionable decisions.

Pineda’s striking matches his tenacity, with nine knockouts and 19 submissions under his belt. In his middle UFC stint, he hasn’t wasted time in demonstrating exactly what he brings to the octagon, earning two Performance of the Night bonuses for his two fights. It comes as no surprise that he was awarded a five-fight deal at the UFC after his last fight. Pineda knows that to advance and secure even bigger paychecks, he must constantly bet on himself, take calculated risks, and take down anyone who stands in his way.

Pineda’s spot at UFC Vegas 74 is well-deserved, and as he shares, he believes that the organizers picked him due to his impressive record. He is a co-main event, which is quite new ground for him. But that won’t stop Pineda; he plans to take out Alex Caceres in the first or second round, taking advantage of every opportunity to earn a coveted paycheck. Caceres’ ranking, while impressive, doesn’t faze Pineda. All he needs is an opponent that is ready to fight – and the hope for an additional Performance of the Night bonus.

Pineda radiates confidence every time he steps into the cage. He has a clear goal and a laser focus – to win and provide for his family. He shies away from the noise of social media and rankings, instead putting his faith in himself and his abilities. His unwavering commitment to finishing his opponents in such a dramatic fashion has earned him a place amongst UFC’s most prominent fighters.