News Jhonata Diniz vs. Mario Pinto booked for UFC’s return to Rio de Janeiro

[TCE]

Jhonata Diniz vs. Mario Pinto booked for UFC’s return to Rio de Janeiro

UFC’s yet-to-be-announced event in Brazil already has its first fight booked, a Brazil vs. Portugal heavyweight clash.

www.mmafighting.com

The UFC has yet to officially announce its return to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for a Fight Night event on Oct. 11, but multiple people have have confirmed to MMA Fighting that heavyweights Jhonata Diniz and Mario Pinto have agreed to meet on that date.

The event will mark the UFC’s first trip to Brazil since May 2024, when the pay-per-view card was headlined by Alexandre Pantoja versus Steve Erceg at Rio de Janeiro’s Farmasi Arena. It will also be the UFC’s first non-pay-per-view in the city since Demian Maia vs. Ryan LaFlare in 2015.

Diniz (9-1) recently returned to the winning column with a decision victory over Alvin Hines at UFC 317, his first match since a doctor stoppage defeat to veteran Marcin Tybura in November 2024.

The Brazilian, a Contender Series signee, currently holds a 3-1 record in the company with a debut knockout against Austen Lane, which was followed by a decision over Karl Williams.

Portugal’s Pinto (10-0) also scored a knockout over Lane in his first octagon appearance, a second-round finish five months after a contract-winning knockout against Lucas Camacho at Dana White’s Contender Series.

 

[TheMoa]

Damn.. Valter Walker was calling Pinto out, said he wanted to pedicure his foot

 

[Ares Black]

Big fight for determining the immediate future of the HW division. I think Pinto takes it.

 

[bobafett]

Kinda hoping pinto can make moves, we need prospects at hw asap

 

[Safton]

Can't say Pinto impressed me at all in his debut. He seems to have a lot of hype behind him for some reason, but the dude was just winging hooks from the hip at the chinnest guy in the division. Still took him until Round 2 to get the finish plus he got dropped and doubled up on strikes in the process. Just not a great look for a prospect. Mind you I've also been pretty lukewarm toward Diniz, but he's consistently winning fights and was holding his own on the feet against Tybura. Good volume, decent shot selection, and he seems comfortable fighting off the back foot. His TDD seems sufficiently good to keep primary strikers and low-level HW grapplers from mauling him.

I'll take Diniz by Decision or late TKO. Pinto has a live puncher's chance, but I think he's fighting the overall superior striker.

 

[JoeRowe]

Any guesses as to who will headline? Aldo retired, Charles is dead, Fighting nerds are booked aside from Ruffy who doesn't seem main event ready yet. I'll guess Jandiroba vs Dern for interim/Vacant Title while Zhang moves up to fight Shevy in NOV/DEC

 

[The_Renaissance]

Interesting fight, I actually forgot about Pinto. I think Diniz might win a decision here.

 

[Bubzeh]

Coin flip. Neither impress me. This will be Diniz being cautious, avoiding combat mostly and eventually winning via point fighting, or Pinto via Round 1 TKO.