Tag: Jhonata Diniz

DWCS 62 winner Jhonata Diniz issues warning to UFC heavyweight division: ‘The bad dreams is coming’

Jhonata Diniz could soon make some noise in the UFC heavyweight division given his kickboxing experience.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Jhonata Diniz[/autotag] has a stern warning for the UFC heavyweight division.

Brazil’s Diniz (6-0) punched his ticket to the UFC on Tuesday at Dana White’s Contender Series 62 after he knocked out Eduardo Neves (7-2) in the first round at the UFC Apex. The undefeated former kickboxer has finished all his professional fights in the first round and is ready to continue taking people out in the octagon.

“I just have one message to all heavyweights in my division: The bad dreams is coming,” Diniz told reporters during the DWCS 62 post-fight news conference. “I’m the most dangerous heavyweight, and I’m coming to this division.”

Diniz may be inexperienced in MMA, but he has over a decade’s worth of experience competing in kickboxing against the likes of Glory champion Rico Verhoeven and Hesdy Gerges, which has given him confidence as he embarks into his MMA career.

“I don’t care against who, I will fight,” Diniz said. “If they give me a top guy to fight, I will face him because my whole life in kickboxing, I’m fighting tough guys. I don’t care against who I will fight. If the UFC gives me an easy fight, I will do it. If they give me a hard fight, I will also do it. I’m here for work, and I don’t care against who I will fight.”

[lawrence-related id=2679065,2679026]

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for DWCS 62.

Dana White’s Contender Series 62 results: Five UFC contracts awarded on all-time episode

Season 7, Week 6 of Dana White’s Contender Series may have been one of the best in history. Five fighters will join the UFC as a result.

LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie was at Tuesday’s Dana White’s Contender Series 62 event at the UFC Apex.

Dana White’s Contender Series cards see prospects fighting for the opportunity to sign a UFC deal, with UFC president Dana White on hand to make the decisions.

The sixth episode of Season 7 saw 10 fighters compete for their shots at UFC contracts. When the dust settled, UFC CEO White offered contracts to all five winners: bantamweight Jean Matsumoto, strawweight Julia Polastri, featherweight Steven Nguyen, heavyweight Jhonata Diniz, and lightweight James Llontop.

The action, particularly through the first three fights, had White and the matchmakers on their feet. White even entered the cage following the conclusion of the opening bout between JeaMatsumoto and Tanner, which was a three-round striking war.

Two losing fighters, Tanner and A.J. Cunningham, were paid their win bonuses for their efforts, according to White.

Full results of Dana White’s Contender Series 62 include:

  • James Llontop def. Malik Lewis via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
  • Jhonata Diniz def. Eduardo Neves via TKO (punch) – Round 1, 3:15
  • Steven Nguyen def. A.J. Cunningham via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:06
  • Julia Polastri def. Patricia Alujas via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 4:05
  • Jean Matsumoto def. Kasey Tanner via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)