Jhonata Diniz and Mario Pinto meet on the main card of UFC Fight Night 261 at Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom.
Last event: 3-2UFC main cards, 2025: 94-71-1
Jhonata Diniz vs. Mario Pinto UFC Rio preview
Brazilian heavyweight Diniz is coming off a decision win over Alvin Hines at UFC 317 in June. Hines stepped in for Justin Tafa, which left Diniz a heavy 5-1 favorite. That loss was the first in Hines’ career, and now Diniz will be looking to do the same to Pinto, who a year ago won his way into the UFC on DWCS, then picked up a bonus for a KO of Austen Lane in his promotional debut in March.
Jhonata Diniz vs. Mario Pinto UFC Rio expert pick, prediction
Death, taxes and the UFC matchmakers’ force-feeding us lower-level heavyweights on Fight Night main cards.
In this case, the big boys being showcased are two strikers, Brazil’s Jhonata Diniz and Portugal’s Mario Pinto.
Diniz is the more well-known quantity in and out of MMA, but there’s not a lot to write home about from a dynamism or speed perspective. Pinto, on the other hand, is a raw product that’s only one fight removed from his first-round finish on the Contender Series.
Although there’s not much of a sample size to go off of, Pinto does show some promising signs for heavyweight, like being able to hook off of a jab and survive storms when he needs to.
Diniz is durable himself, but I’ll take a flier on the underdog in Pinto to catch his opponent on the feet and finish him on the floor in Round 2.
Jhonata Diniz vs. Mario Pinto UFC Rio odds
The oddsmakers and the public slightly favor the older fighter, listing Diniz -144 and Pinto +118 via FanDuel.
Jhonata Diniz vs. Mario Pinto UFC Rio start time, how to watch
Diniz and Pinto are expected to walk to the cage at approximately 8:15 p.m. ET. The fight streams live on ESPN+.
