Las Vegas, NV — Heavyweight Jhonata Diniz, having made the move from kickboxing to MMA just a couple of years ago, is a UFC fighter following week six of this year’s Contender Series.
Diniz (6-0) put away returning DWCS alum Eduardo Neves in an opening round that was exceptionally violent for as long as it lasted on Tuesday night at the UFC Apex. And he was nearly speechless speaking to the media following the event.
“Guys I’m very happy. I really cannot say how I’m feeling today with words. I’m in the UFC,” Diniz told media outlets including Cageside Press. “I have no words for you guys today.”
For Diniz, the moment was special at least in part because of who he was fighting in front of. “The knockout is so special for me because this situation is special. I was fighting in front of Dana White, and man, there’s so [much] pressure, you know? This will be a special highlight for me.”
Diniz and fellow Brazilian Neves were basically swinging from the fences right out of the gate, and that’s something that the heavyweight expected.
“I know in the heavyweight division, everybody’s strong, everybody’s dangerous, everybody’s tough for three minutes,” Diniz said with a laugh. “If you have a good method for making the right game plan, that’s it. We made a good plan for this fight, and the result is what it is.”
As far as a debut UFC opponent goes, it doesn’t appear Diniz is about to pick and choose. “I don’t care about against who you fight. If you give me one top guy for a fight, I’ll face him. Because for my whole life in kickboxing, I’ve been fighting tough guys.”
“If the UFC gives me easy fight, I’ll do it. If they give me a hard fight, I’ll also do it. I’m here for work, and I don’t care against who I fight.”
Noting he hadn’t taken any injuries in the fight, Diniz said that “if you give me a fight as soon as possible, I’ll be ready for this.” Asked if he had any message for the division he’s set to join, Diniz replied “the bad dreams [are] coming. I’m the most dangerous heavyweight, and I’m coming to this division.”
Watch the full DWCS 62 post-fight press scrum with Jhonata Diniz above.
