Daniel Pineda vs Tucker Lutz Prediction: Bout will go the distance

Two Americans who didn’t fight in 2022 resume where they left off in this Featherweight bout between former PFL Featherweight champion Daniel Pineda and Tucker Lutz. Pineda returned to the UFC in 2020 after originally debuting in the promotion in 2012. His opponent, Tucker Lutz is a relatively new entrant to the UFC coming by way of the Contender Series in 2020. The pair meet at UFC on ESPN 43 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas, United States. The bout will be aired on ESPN on Saturday night.

37-year-old Daniel Pineda first competed in the UFC ten years ago. His first UFC career derailed immediately after a promising start leading to his return to Legacy, Bellator, and PFL. At PFL his best moment soon turned to nothing when he won two fights in one night in 2019 against Movlid Khaybulaev and Jeremy Kennedy. The wins were later ruled no contest after Pineda failed a drug test and was subsequently punished. His 2020 return to the UFC has produced one win, one loss, and one no contest in his last fight when an accidental eye poke rendered Pineda unable to continue against Andre Fili. That fight in June 2021 was his last outing in the Octagon. 

Tucker Lutz lost his second professional fight against Pat Sabatini in November 2021. The fight was his second UFC fight having won in his debut against Kevin Aguilar. The 28-year-old fighter got two wins in Dana White’s Contender series to earn a UFC contract. Prior to losing to Sabatinin, he had gone on a remarkable 12-fight win streak stretching to 2015 and his first professional loss. 

The fighters are coming in from the cold so it’s a little tricky to figure out who wants it more. Pineda is a massive underdog in this fight and for a very good reason. He seems to have fallen off with the passing of time. Against an up-and-coming Lutz who has shown a lot of promise with his 12-fight run and gone the distance with Pat Sabatini, there may be only one winner come fight night. However, we think Pineda will use all his experience to ensure that this fight goes the distance. The older fighter will try to end it as early as possible after which it will certainly be a struggle for him. 

• Will the specified round (3) start, yes at 2.1 odds on 1xbet
• Total over 2.5 rounds at 2.5 odds on Coinplay
• W2 at 1.40 odds on Bet 365