The 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team has many talented Soldiers with diverse backgrounds. Among those Soldiers is one exceptionally gifted in modern Army combatives who hopes to one day fight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, better known as the UFC.
Sgt. Robert Pineiro, of Chouteau, Okla., was introduced to defensive tactics by a fellow Thunderbird during his first tour to Iraq in 2004. During that deployment, he was with Headquarters Company, 120th Engineers, Oklahoma Army National Guard, as a signal support system specialist. Pineiro says “I started training in Iraq and I fell in love with the sport, it really is easy to learn, anyone can do it.” Pineiro began his training by practicing three to four hours a night for three months. He is such a good fighter that he was recently featured on the Military Channel in a program highlighting modern Army combatives.
As he continued to make improvements and developed his fighting skills he began to look for a new gym. “I was looking for a place I could learn.” He finally made his decision to train with Tulsa’s Top Team owned by Josh Clopton. “If you want to get better you train with people better than you.” Before his first fight he trained for six months with Matt Wiman an Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter.
Pineiro’s first professional fight ended in 20 seconds when he dislocated his opponent’s shoulder as he slammed him to the mat. Pineiro says “I have such great corner guys all experienced in fighting, they calmed me down and I was ready to go.” In professional mixed martial arts competition Pineiro has three wins and zero losses.
Pineiro decided to participate in the Modern Army Combatives course held at the Oklahoma National Guard’s Regional Training Institute in Oklahoma City. He excelled in his training finishing the course as a level two honor graduate. His military instructor told him about a tournament held at Ft. Benning, GA. The fighters in the competition included active duty, reserve and National Guard Soldiers. Pineiro and his instructor decided to organize a team and compete.
When Pineiro arrived at the competition he had seven fights in a two day period. Pineiro says “It was an extremely good experience; I had a lot of fun there.” Pineiro finished fourth in his weight class. The Soldier who defeated him actually did so twice during the tournament. “He was a great fighter but I honestly think I can beat the guy, it just wasn’t my day,” said Pineiro.
Pineiro is currently deployed to the International Zone in Baghdad, Iraq, with Headquarters Company, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma Army National Guard, as a member of Brig. Gen. Myles Deering’s personal security detail. In the evenings, while off duty, he is the instructor of a mixed martial arts class four days a week and participates in a Muay Thai class three nights a week. Pineiro says “I get better everyday.” For anyone thinking of facing him in the ring that is cause for concern.
