Brazilian prospect Jhonata Diniz highlights turnaround after last defeat and analyzes crucial duel at UFC 317

Scaled to the great UFC 317, Jonathan Diniz prepares to face newcomer Alvin Hines, after fighting against justin tafa be canceled recently. Defeated in his last appearance when he faced Marcin tybura, the Brazilian heavyweight prospect (up to 120,2 kg) expects nothing more than an aggressive and forceful performance this Saturday (28).

In an exclusive interview to SUPER FIGHTS, Diniz spoke about his next fight and recalled the change and evolution of his mentality after losing his unbeaten record to the Polish fighter. Known for his stand-up skills, the fighter from Curitiba assured that his focus during preparation was to improve the 'big flaw' in the wrestling and jiu-jitsu departments, in order to avoid scenes similar to those of his last appearance.

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“After we went through the situation of being lined up against a striker and having them change it at the last minute to a fight against a grappler, we understood that anything can happen at any time. After I came back from the fight (against Marcin tybura), I started investing more in this part of the grapple, jiu-jitsu, wrestling, I started to improve this part that was very, very flawed”

Jonathan Diniz in defeat to Marcin tybura No. UFC 309. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter/UFC News

“When the fight against the justin tafa, I decided with my coach that we would direct our energy towards stand-up fighting, which is what he is going to propose, but we can't stop training grappling, wrestling, jiu-jitsu, MMA, because no one really knows what will happen. It seems like we were predicting that it would happen, that he would run. When they brought this athlete (Alvin Hines), we saw that he was into grappling, but we were comfortable accepting (...) today we are prepared to go toe-to-toe with anyone, whoever comes, we will go toe-to-toe.”

Turning point in career

Aware that he no longer fights kickboxing but MMA, the Brazilian highlighted the reality check after doing an exchange at Galpão da Luta, a renowned gym that has names such as Eduardo Moura, Raffael Cerqueira and your great partner Jailton Malhadinho.

“It was a big impact on me. When I finished my fight with Tybura, I said I was going to ask for mercy and help from everyone because I have no ego, no vanity. That was when I ended up forming a really cool partnership with Malhadinho at Galpão da Luta. I went there and really saw that this part of grappling was very weak, very weak compared to what they trained there. I started to really train jiu-jitsu and wrestling, so that I would never go through that situation again in my life.”

Jonathan Diniz training at Galpão da Luta. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @jhonnythai

next opponent

Ready to welcome Alvin, an undefeated athlete who earned a contract after success in the LFA, Jhonatan shows that he is aware of his rival's abilities and avoids underestimating any action that the North American may have.

“We watched all the material we had available on him, we did a really good mapping of him. I know he is a tough athlete, he is a guy who doesn’t give up in the fight, who offers a lot, he has won by knockout, submission, points, so he is an experienced, complete athlete, who will propose the grappling fight that is his origin, it will certainly be a war, I am sure of it. Since it is his debut, he will want to show his worth”

Alvin Hines (photo) faces Jonathan Diniz No. UFC 317. Photo: Reproduction/LFA

Challenge in sight

A big favorite at bookmakers, Diniz says that if he lives up to his status in the UFC 317, will not waste the opportunity to challenge the 'feared' Sergei Pavlovich, currently fourth in the ranking, next.

“When I won the Karl Williams I asked for the most dangerous athlete in the division and they gave me the Derrick Lewis, unfortunately he ran and they gave me Tybura. Now I have that same feeling again, I want to test myself against the best, fight against the bravest, test myself with dangerous guys. Today is Sergei Pavlovich, it's a fight I really want to do, it's an athlete who, because he's up there in the rankings, I don't know if it's viable for me, for the organization, for him, because of that ranking point. But it's an athlete I want to fight and if I can ask for him, he's the one I want.”

Sergei Pavlovich (dir) won Jairzinho Rozenstruik (left) in UFC Saudi Arabia. Photo: Reproduction X UFC

“He’s the category’s bogeyman, nobody wants to fight these guys. I see these athletes like this: who’s the best in the category? Who are the best in the category? I always try to put my reference up there, so to become the best, I have to beat the best. Who’s the category’s bogeyman today? Is it Pavlovich? That’s the one I’m going to target. That’s the fight I want for myself today,” he concluded.