A freshly signed Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight is
making sure he has the best training camp possible for his upcoming
debut.
32-year-old Brazilian heavyweight Jhonata
Diniz (6-0) earned a spot on the UFC roster by destroying
Eduardo
Neves on the 2023 season of Dana White’s Contender Series, dispatching his
fellow countryman in just over three minutes. The 6-foot-4 slugger
spared no expense to prepare for his promotional debut, which will
be held at an upcoming UFC
Fight Night card on April 27 against Austen Lane
(12-4). The Curitiba-born Diniz elected to shift gears from his
Santa Fe team to the vaunted Chute Boxe camp helmed by Diego Lima
to work alongside greats like Charles
Oliveira.
“I was very well received here by Diego Lima, Charles and the
entire Chute Boxe team,” Diniz told Sherdog. “In addition to great
training, the atmosphere here is sensational.”
The former kickboxer, who stepped away from pure striking
disciplines in 2022 with a record of 27-7, has gone through some
personal struggles of late. In addition to changing his life to
train for MMA instead of straight kickboxing or muay thai, his
father died this past December. Overcoming grief and dealing with
adversity, he believes it has only strengthened his resolve and
determination.
“Just like me, Austin is a fighter who steps in the Octagon
[looking for a fast finish]. From his 12 victories, 11 were by
knockout, 10 of those in the first round. Facing an opponent like
that in my debut only increases my motivation. For me, it’s all or
nothing, and I’m dedicating 100% of my time and effort because I
know I have the chance to improve my life, give my mother a better
life and leave a legacy for the Brazilian people at the biggest
fight event on the planet,” the heavyweight concluded.