Matheus Oliveira Diniz (born 8 April 1993) is a Brazilian submission wrestler and Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) black belt competitor. His most notable achievement is winning the 2019 ADCC World Championship in the Middleweight division as well as being a medalist at the IBJJF World Championships in both Gi and No-Gi formats.

Matheus Diniz
BornMatheus Oliveira Diniz[1]
(1993-04-08) 8 April 1993 (age 31)[1]
Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
NicknameKing Kong
Height6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight88.3 kg (195 lb; 13 st 13 lb)
DivisionMedium Heavy
StyleBrazilian Jiu Jitsu
Fighting out ofNew York City, United States
TeamAlliance Jiu Jitsu
Marcelo Garcia Academy
RankBJJ black belt
(under Marcelo Garcia)[1]
Medal record
Representing  Brazil
Submission Wrestling
ADCC World Championship
Gold medal – first place 2019 Anaheim, USA -88 kg
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
World Championship
Bronze medal – third place 2019 California, USA -88 kg
World No-Gi Championship
Bronze medal – third place 2017 California, USA -85.5 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2016 California, USA -85.5 kg
Silver medal – second place 2015 California, USA Absolute
Bronze medal – third place 2015 California, USA -85.5 kg
Pan American Championship
Silver medal – second place 2022 Florida, USA -94 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2018 California, USA -88 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2017 California, USA -94 kg
Pan American No-Gi Championship
Gold medal – first place 2015 New York, USA Absolute
Silver medal – second place 2015 New York, USA -85.5 kg

Background

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Diniz was born on 8 April 1993 in Uberlândia, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. During his early years, his family moved to Formiga.[1] When Diniz was 10, he started learning Capoeira, before switching in 2008 to Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) under coach Rodrigo Ranieri.[1]

After receiving his blue belt, Diniz moved to Poços de Caldas to train under Paulo Rezende who awarded him his purple and brown belts. As a purple belt Diniz won silver during the 2012 IBJJF World Championship in the medium heavy division. Diniz became acquainted with Marcelo Garcia who invited him to come to New York City to train at his academy.[1] In April 2015, Garcia promoted Diniz to Black Belt.[1]

Grappling career

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2018-2019

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On 16 September 2018, Diniz faced Craig Jones at the main event of Grapplefest 2 that was held in Liverpool, UK. The match went to a decision with Jones winning by referee decision.[2]

Diniz competed at the 2019 ADCC World Championship in the middleweight division. He defeated Pedro Marinho, Gabriel Arges and Josh Hinger to reach the finals.[3][4] In the finals, he defeated Craig Jones by winning on points to become champion.[3][4][5]

2020-2022

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On 2 October 2020, Diniz was invited to compete in the main event of Who's Number One against Gordon Ryan.[6] Diniz lost the match by submission, a heel hook.[7] This match against Ryan was later awarded Match of the Year at the Jitsmagazine 2020 BJJ Awards.[8] He was then invited to compete in the middleweight grand prix at BJJ Stars 4 on 14 November 2020.[9] Diniz lost his opening round match against Otavio de Souza on advantages.[10]

On 26 June 2021, Diniz faced Lucas Barbosa at the co-main event of BJJ Stars 6. Towards the end of the match, as Barbosa was ahead on points, Diniz managed to lock his arm underneath Barbosa's chin. When the bell rang signalling the end of the match, Barbosa was left unconscious from the choke. After debate, it was determined that Barbosa went unconscious after the bell and therefore had won via points. The decision was considered controversial and attracted debate.[11][12][13] He then competed in the main event of the inaugural Road to ADCC event on 17 July 2021, against Kaynan Duarte.[14] He lost the match after being submitted with a heel hook.[15]

Diniz was invited to compete in the 88 kg division of the 2022 ADCC World Championship on 17 September 2022.[16] He defeated Roberto Dib Frias 3–0 on points in the opening round before losing by submission to the eventual champion, Giancarlo Bodoni.[17]

2023 onwards

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Diniz competed at the IBJJF New York Open 2023 on 5 August and won gold in the ultra-heavyweight division.[18] Diniz then won the no gi super-heavyweight division at the IBJJF Nashville Fall Open 2023 on 12 November 2023.[19]

Diniz faced Nicholas Meregali in a superfight at UFC Fight Pass Invitational 6 on March 2, 2024.[20] He lost the match by submission.[21]

Diniz was originally scheduled to compete in the 2024 ADCC World Championship, but he withdrew from the event in order to enter the under 80kg division of the inaugural Craig Jones Invitational on August 16-17, 2024.[22] He was submitted by Kade Ruotolo in the opening round.[23]

Championships and accomplishments

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Brazilian jiu-jitsu / Submission wrestling

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List of achievements at black belt level:[1]

List of achievements in lower belts divisions:[1]

  • IBJJF World No-Gi Champion (2013/2014 brown)
  • IBJJF Pan-American Champion (2015 brown)
  • 2nd place IBJJF World Championship (2012 purple, 2014 brown)
  • 2nd place IBJJF Pan-American Championship (2015 brown absolute)

Instructor lineage

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Mitsuyo "Count Koma" MaedaCarlos Gracie Sr. → Helio GracieRolls GracieRomero "Jacare" CavalcantiFabio GurgelMarcelo Garcia → Matheus Diniz[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Matheus Diniz | BJJ Heroes". BJJ Heroes.
  2. ^ "Grapplefest 2 Recap & Results: Who Won and How - FloGrappling". www.flograppling.com. 16 September 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  3. ^ a b "ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship 2019 • ADCC NEWS". adcombat.com. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Matheus Diniz Stops The Craig Jones Hype Train in ADCC 88kg Final - FloGrappling". www.flograppling.com. 29 September 2019. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  5. ^ Clements, Averi (29 September 2019). "Matheus Diniz Defeats Craig Jones To Become 88kg ADCC Champ". Jiu-Jitsu Times. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  6. ^ Lindsey, Alex (27 August 2020). "Gordon Ryan Takes On ADCC Champion At Who's Number One". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  7. ^ Lindsey, Alex (3 October 2020). "Who's Number One: Gordon Ryan v Matheus Diniz Full Results". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  8. ^ "The JitsMagazine 2020 BJJ Awards". Jitsmagazine. 2 January 2021. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  9. ^ Lindsey, Alex (22 September 2020). "BJJ Stars 4 Middleweight Grand Prix Fully Announced". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  10. ^ "BJJ Stars 4 Full Results And Review". Jitsmagazine. 16 November 2020. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  11. ^ "Grappling Bulletin: How Hulk Beat Diniz Even Though He Got Choked Out Cold - FloGrappling". www.flograppling.com. 28 June 2021. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  12. ^ Admin, BJJEE1 (27 June 2021). "BJJ Stars 6 Controversy: Diniz Chokes Barbosa Unconscious - But Loses The Match". Bjj Eastern Europe. Retrieved 16 March 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ "BJJ Stars 6 Full Results And Review". Jitsmagazine. 27 June 2021. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  14. ^ Jones, Phil (19 June 2021). "Full Lineup Announced For First Road To ADCC Superfight Event". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  15. ^ "The Road To ADCC Full Results And Review". Jitsmagazine. 18 July 2021. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  16. ^ Rollo, Ian (9 February 2022). "ADCC 2022 Invites Given To Patrick Gaudio And Four More". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  17. ^ "ADCC 2022 Live Results, Play-by-play, Analysis, Highlights, More". Jitsmagazine. 18 September 2022. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  18. ^ "ADCC World Champions Compete At IBJJF New York Open 2023". Jitsmagazine. 8 August 2023. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  19. ^ "ADCC Veterans Win Big At IBJJF Nashville Fall Open 2023". Jitsmagazine. 16 November 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  20. ^ Burne, Kathrine (15 February 2024). "Nicholas Meregali To Face Matheus Diniz At UFC Fight Pass Invitational 6". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  21. ^ "UFC Fight Pass Invitational 6 Full Results And Review". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  22. ^ de Souza, Diogo (9 June 2024). "Matheus Diniz Becomes Latest Champion To Leave ADCC 2024 For Craig Jones Invitational". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  23. ^ "Craig Jones Invitational 2024 Live Results, Play-by-play, Analysis, Highlights, More". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
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