Heavyweight Alvin Hines was the lone debuting fighter on Saturday’s UFC 317 card, thanks to the cancellation of a prospect versus prospect battle. Hines, and undefeated prospect, was making his debut against Jhonata Diniz, on a card headlined by Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira.
Alvin “Goozie” Hines
Standing at six-foot-two
Fighting at 265 lbs (heavyweight)
33-years-old
Fighting out of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, US
Training out of Jungle Gym Mixed Martial Arts
A pro record of 7-0
3 KO/TKOs, 3 Submissions
Skill Assessment:
Distance Striking: D
Clinch Work: C
Movement/Footwork: D
Power Striking: C–
Striking Defense: D
Wrestling in Space: D
Cage Wrestling: C–
Takedown Defense: D+
Defensive Grappling: C
Top Control: C+
Ground and Pound: C+
Submissions: C+
Endurance: C–
Scouting Report:
Hines is a solid short-notice signing. At 33 years old, undefeated, and with experience in LFA, the time is now. He’s a gritty regional-level competitor whose ceiling is probably similar to someone like Shelton Graves: a fighter capable of beating lower-tier opponents but likely to fall short against higher-level competition. Despite the excitement his fights bring, there’s no denying he’s been in razor-close battles with fairly low-level opposition.
Technically, Hines is a bit of a mess, but he does show flashes of some good attributes. He has heavy leg kicks, a solid jab to the body, and decent wrestling instincts. Lately, he’s shown a willingness to strike more, though his hands still lack polish, and he struggles to find his range. His kicking game is more effective, though he often throws them naked without proper setup. He tends to charge forward recklessly, leading to him walking into shots. While he’s shown impressive durability, he’s far too hittable, even against below-average competition.
Wrestling is a core part of his game, though his finishing ability on takedown attempts is inconsistent. He’ll often get in deep on a single leg but fail to complete it. Hines is most effective once he gets fights to the ground. He uses his weight well to smother opponents, maintaining top control while mixing in ground-and-pound and hunting for submissions. However, his takedown defense is a concern. He’s flat-footed and heavy on his base, making it easy to disrupt his balance once you get in on his legs. He hasn’t spent much time on his back, but against higher-level fighters, that could become a major liability.
Overall, Hines brings toughness, physicality, and a strong work ethic. Enough to create some fun scraps, but likely not enough to crack the top 15.
Matchup Outlook vs. Diniz:
Hines does have a path to victory if he can consistently wrestle and control Diniz on the mat. Diniz, a former GLORY kickboxer, has shown vulnerabilities off his back. However, trusting Hines to execute that game plan effectively is a gamble. He’s not a reliable wrestler, and his entries are often telegraphed or incomplete. On the feet, Diniz has a significant advantage. He’s a polished striker with a high output and strong finishing instincts, while Hines is far too hittable and takes a lot of damage trying to close distance.
Prediction: Diniz lands clean as Hines rushes in, leading to a standing TKO or late stoppage after sustained damage.
