Heavyweight: Eduardo Neves Vs. Jhonata Diniz
Tale of the Tape
22-years-old
6’1″
Joao Pessoa, Paraiba, Brazil
Eduardo Machado team
7-1
7 KO/TKOs
Combined opponent’s record: 28-9-1
32-years-old
6’4″
Sao Jose dos Pinhais, Parana, Brazil
Santa Fé Team
5-0
5 KO/TKOs
Combined opponent’s record: 69-39
Pros and Cons
Eduardo Neves
Pros
- Nasty elbows
- Dangerous in exchanges
- Solid head movement
- Good ground and pound
- Good output
- Heavy hands/Knockout power
- Fast starter
Cons
- Questionable grappling defense
- Too willing to brawl
- Questionable cardio
- Poor fight IQ
Jhonata Diniz
Pros
- Solid kickboxing
- Good counter striker
- Knockout power
- Combination striker
- Good knees
- Heavy leg kicks
- Good volume
Cons
- Questionable grappling defense
Who has the advantage?
Striking: Diniz
Speed: Neves
Output/Volume: Diniz
Kickboxing: Diniz
Striking defense: Diniz
Footwork/movement: Diniz
Wrestling: Neither
Grappling: Neither
Gas tank: Diniz
Prediction: Neves is getting his second shot on the Contender Series after coming short last season. He was a -255 favorite but ended up losing early. He fought sloppy and got tired way too fast and ended up losing by rear-naked choke. It was a very bad look for Neves and now he’s fighting a much more dangerous guy. Diniz is a former kickboxer who went 13-6 and most notably fought for Glory.
I would be shocked if this fight lasted even four minutes. There is concern with the ground game of Diniz but that’s not Neves’s game. Neves is a heavy-handed guy that’s wanting a brawl. It won’t fare well against a more credentialed striker like Diniz. Diniz is too technical and has too many weapons not to end Neves early. Neves probably rushes into something and Diniz gets an impressive stoppage victory.
