Mario Pinto, riding a perfect 12-0 MMA record, is heading into UFC Fight Night 287 in Paris this Saturday, and he’s not letting anyone sleep on his opponent.
Pinto’s Pressure Cooker
Pinto, who boasts a 3-0 UFC record, (he even counts his DWCS tryout win as part of that run, even if the official record books don’t!) is stepping into the Accor Arena as a 3-1 betting favorite. That’s a ton of expectation on an undefeated fighter in the heavyweight division, and you can tell he’s feeling that heat. He told the UFC this week in Paris, “There’s definitely pressure , lots of pressure.” But you gotta love his mindset: “At the end of the day, whatever happens happens. It’s fighting. It’s a lot easier to be undefeated in boxing , they’re protected. In the UFC, you’ve got to fight the best. You can’t really pick who you want.” Forget the perfect record, he says. “I don’t care anymore now about the record stuff. I just want to go out there and perform.” That’s the mentality of a true fighter, not just someone chasing numbers.
Spann’s Resurgence and Pinto’s Warning
Pinto’s journey to this point has been all about putting guys away; he scored knockouts in his DWCS contract win and his first two UFC fights. It wasn’t until March that he had to grind out a decision win over Felipe Franco, showing he can go the distance. Now he’s up against Ryan Spann, a guy with a whopping three times Pinto’s pro experience! Spann holds a 24-11 MMA record and is 10-6 in the UFC. And don’t let anyone fool you, Spann is dangerous. He’s had a real comeback story over the last two years, grabbing three wins in four fights. He even has bonus-winning stoppages against Ovince St. Preux and Marcus Buchecha, with that Buchecha win coming just this past April. Pinto knows what’s up. “He’s definitely got the experience on me,” Pinto admitted. “I can’t take that away from him.” But Pinto sees it as a new test, saying, “it’s just a new challenge for me, and I’ve got to get through Ryan Spann.”
What’s Next in Paris
Pinto summed it up perfectly: “I know Ryan’s very well-rounded, and unfortunately a lot of the casuals are overlooking him.” He highlighted Spann’s lack of media presence but emphasized his veteran status: “He’s been around. … He’s very dangerous, but I feel like he’s what’s going to bring the best out of me.” So, as Saturday night approaches at Accor Arena, get ready. Pinto isn’t just fighting for his undefeated streak; he’s fighting a veteran he respects, and he expects Spann to push him to his absolute limit. This isn’t one to miss.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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