- Jhonata Diniz faces Mario Pinto in a heavyweight bout at UFC Rio on October 11 at Farmasi Arena in Brazil
- Diniz is the slight betting favorite at -135 while Pinto is listed at +114
- Diniz is 3-1 in the UFC coming off a decision win over Alvin Hines
- Pinto makes his second UFC appearance with a perfect 10-0 professional record after knocking out Austen Lane in his debut
- Both fighters are technical strikers with professional kickboxing experience
Main Event Odds
Jhonata Diniz: -135
Mario Pinto: +114
Over 2.5 rounds: -250
Under 2.5 rounds: +190
Full UFC Rio Fight Card Odds
155 lbs.: Charles Oliveira (-106) vs. Mateusz Gamrot (-115)
135 lbs.: Deiveson Figueiredo (+260) vs. Montel Jackson (-340)
170 lbs.: Gabriel Bonfim vs. Randy Brown
170 lbs.: Vicente Luque (+460) vs. Joel Alvarez (-676)
265 lbs.: Jhonata Diniz (-140) vs. Mario Pinto (+114)
145 lbs.: Ricardo Ramos (-216) vs. Kaan Ofli (+173)
155 lbs.: Lucas Almeida (+130) vs. Michael Aswell (-160)
125 lbs.: Jafel Filho (+103) vs. Clayton Carpenter (-126)
265 lbs.: Vitor Petrino (-330) vs. Thomas Petersen (+255)
135 lbs.: Irina Alekseeva (+470) vs. Beatriz Mesquita (-699)
125 lbs.: Lucas Rocha (-106) vs. Stewart Nicoll (-115)
265 lbs.: Valter Walker (-330) vs. Mohammed Usman (+250)
115 lbs.: Julia Polastri (-490) vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz (+360)
135 lbs.: Luan Lacerda (-270) vs. Saimon Oliveira (+210)
Jhonata Diniz faces Mario Pinto in a heavyweight bout on the main card at UFC Rio on October 11. The fight takes place at Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Diniz enters as the slight favorite at -135. The Brazilian fighter holds a professional record of 9-1 overall. He has compiled a 3-1 record inside the UFC.
Pinto is listed as the underdog at +114. The Portuguese fighter has a perfect professional record of 10-0. He makes his second UFC appearance after a successful debut.
The 33-year-old Diniz earned his UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2023. His only UFC loss came against Marcin Tybura. He responded with a decision win over Alvin Hines in his most recent fight.
Diniz stands 6 feet 4 inches tall with a 79.5-inch reach. He has recorded seven knockouts in his career. The Brazilian fighter lands 4.58 strikes per minute with 56 percent accuracy.
His defensive rate sits at 59 percent against incoming strikes. Diniz has 78 percent takedown defense. He absorbs strikes at a measured rate while maintaining offensive output.
Pinto earned a round-one knockout on Dana White’s Contender Series. His UFC debut came against Austen Lane where he secured a round-two knockout. The finish earned him a performance bonus.
The 29-year-old Portuguese fighter stands 6 feet 6 inches tall with a 79-inch reach. He has recorded six knockouts and one submission. Pinto maintains 71 percent striking accuracy with a high knockdown rate.
Tale of the Tape
Both fighters compete in an orthodox stance. Pinto holds a two-inch height advantage over Diniz. Their reaches are nearly identical with Diniz at 79.5 inches and Pinto at 79 inches.
Diniz represents a technical heavyweight with precise striking and defensive awareness. His methodical approach maximizes athletic advantages without sacrificing defensive positioning. He fights out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Pinto emerges as an aggressive knockout artist with a perfect finish rate. His power striking background has proven effective in limited UFC experience. He also fights out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Three of Pinto’s last four fights ended inside the distance. His perfect takedown defense remains untested against higher-level competition. He absorbs 5.29 strikes per minute which suggests some defensive liability.
Fighting Styles
Diniz was tasked with an experienced kickboxer in Alvin Hines in his last fight. He quickly found his opponent’s rhythm and counteracted with his own offense. Diniz cut Hines early and controlled the second and third rounds with volume striking.
The Brazilian has very fast hands at heavyweight. He has proven he can withstand an opponent’s best punch. His ability to close distance and do damage from inside the pocket sets him apart.
Diniz generates more power from the clinch compared to longer-framed opponents. He works well at pressing fighters along the fence. His defensive mindset in striking helps him avoid damage.
Pinto has looked dominant in his first two UFC appearances. He patiently reads opponent’s striking before moving for finishes. His long frame generates power when landing clean strikes.
The Portuguese fighter must maintain and control distance against volume punchers. He has timed up each opponent to this point. His confidence from an undefeated record could help in finishing fights.
Path to Victory
Diniz should see this fight take place almost exclusively on the feet. The longer he can take Pinto into deeper rounds, the more it should favor him in a decision. His experience at this level gives him an edge.
The Brazilian has seen more looks against higher competition. His fluidity with hand combinations makes him the better pure boxer. His volume striking can frustrate opponents over time.
Pinto’s main focus will be controlling striking distance. He can use his elbows on clinch breaks once Diniz ties up with him. His kickboxing background with rangier style and long leg kicks provides advantages.
The Portuguese fighter’s variability and low calf kicks could earn him the win. His 100 percent takedown defense allows him to control where fights take place. His knockout power requires only clean strikes to hurt opponents.
Pinto tends to lean his head back to avoid strikes instead of using footwork. This defensive approach has worked so far but remains untested against elite competition. His striking defense needs improvement against higher-volume opponents.
