LAS VEGAS – Jhonata Diniz broke by means of Saturday on the UFC Apex, however is taking issues step-by-step.
As he sat onstage for his UFC on ESPN 55 post-fight information convention, Diniz (7-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) glowed with an enormous smile. He broke out his always-improving English to elucidate the second of his first UFC victory.
“I really feel nice in the present day,” Diniz advised MMA Junkie and different reporters. “It’s essentially the most big day of my life in my kickboxing and MMA profession. I actually, actually am completely happy in the present day. … We already knew he was attempting to place me down, to work his grappling. However we educated rather a lot to defend him. I used to be positive that after we stayed up, I’d knock him out.”
Diniz, 32, is a former GLORY Kickboxing combatant who transitioned into MMA in 2022. He earned a contract on Dana White’s Contender Collection in 2022 and picked up his first UFC win Saturday with a knockout of former NFL participant Austen Lane (12-5 MMA, 0-2 UFC).
Whereas he’s maintained a 100% knockout/TKO charge by means of seven skilled outings, Diniz received’t let the statistics go to his head. He acknowledges the distinction between short-term and long-term objectives.
“In fact, I need to battle with the massive names,” Diniz mentioned. “Why not? If I need to be the champion, I’ve to beat one of the best guys. Who’s one of the best? Simply deliver the identify. I don’t care towards who (I battle). … I don’t take into consideration (title fights) as a result of I believe it is going to all come on the proper time for me. If the UFC says, ‘OK, you’re able to battle for the title,’ I will likely be prepared for this one. I’ve to belief them. I’m simply an worker. If they are saying I’m prepared, I’ll do that one. I don’t care about that.”
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