Pineda was the Featherweight Champion of Legacy Fighting Championship. None of his fights with Legacy went to decision with notable wins over fighters such as WEC veteran Frank Gomez. Pineda's fights with Legacy Fighting Championships were always exciting and his last fight with Legacy Fighting Championships before he went to the UFC ended in a TKO by spinning backfist at Legacy Fighting Championships 9. He is now scheduled to face former WEC and UFC fighter Leonard Garcia for the featherweight title at Legacy Fighting Championship 37 in November.
In early January 2012, it was announced that Pineda had been signed to the UFC. He made his debut on January 20, 2012 at against fellow UFC newcomer Pat Schilling. Pineda won the fight via submission in the first round. Pineda faced Mackens Semerzier on March 3, 2012 at UFC on FX 2, replacing an injured Robbie Peralta. He won the fight via triangle armbar in the first round. Pineda faced Mike Brown on May 26, 2012 at UFC 146. Pineda lost the bout via unanimous decision. Pineda faced Antonio Carvalho on July 21, 2012 at, replacing an injured George Roop. Pineda lost the fight after he was knocked outfor the first time in his professional MMA career. Pineda returned after a layoff to face Justin Lawrence on April 13, 2013 at. Pineda won the fight via submission in the first round, earning Submission of the Night honors for his performance. Pineda faced Diego Brandão on August 17, 2013 at UFC Fight Night 26 He lost the back-and-forth fight via unanimous decision. Pineda faced Robert Whiteford on March 15, 2014 at UFC 171. He lost the fight via unanimous decision, and was subsequently was released from the UFC.
Return to Legacy FC
Following his UFC release, Pineda re-signed with Legacy Fighting Championships in July 2014. Pineda faced Leonard Garcia at Legacy FC 37 on November 14, 2014. He won the fight via submission in the first round. Pineda next faced Thomas Webb at Legacy FC 39 on February 28, 2015. He won the fight via submission early in the first round.
After nearly a six year absence, Pineda returned to the Bellator MMA promotion in 2016. He faced Emmanuel Sanchez on the main card at on February 19, 2016. He lost the fight by unanimous decision. Pineda faced Mark Dickman at Bellator 161 on September 16, 2016. He won the fight via submission in the third round. Pineda faced Georgi Karakhanyan at Bellator 182 on August 25, 2017. He lost via doctor stoppage in the second round due to a cut.
Professional Fighters League
Pineda joined Professional Fighters League in 2019 and fought Movlid Khaybulaev and Jeremy Kennedy at PFL 8 and PLF. He won both of the bouts on the same night; however it were ruled no contest after Pineda failed a drug test and subsequent suspended and fined fro USD12,500.
