Introduction
Dhiego Lima (born January 31, 1989) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the welterweight division of the UFC.
Mixed martial arts career
Lima was born and spent his early childhood in the Brazilian city of Goiânia and began training in mixed martial arts as a teenager.He moved to the United States with his brother, settling in Atlanta, Georgia.Lima made his professional debut in 2010 competing for regional promotions across North America, including a five fight stint with Maximum Fighting Championship.He compiled a record of 9 - 1, before auditioning for The Ultimate Fighter.
The Ultimate Fighter
In December 2013, it was announced that Lima would a cast member on The Ultimate Fighter 19, representing Team Edgar at middleweight.Over the course of the show, Lima first defeated Tim Williams in the quarterfinals via submission (rear-naked choke).In the semifinals, Lima went on to defeat Roger Zapata via submission (armbar) to reach the finals.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Lima made his official UFC debut facing fellow castmate and Team Edgar teammate Eddie Gordon in the middleweight finals on July 6, 2014 The Ultimate Fighter 19 Finale. Lima lost the fight via knockout in the first round.Subsequently, Lima was awarded both Performance of the Season bonuses for his submission finishes during the season.
Lima was expected to face Pawel Pawlak in a welterweight bout on November 8, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 56.However, Pawlak was forced to pull out of the fight due to injury and replaced by Jorge de Oliveira.Lima won the fight via unanimous decision.
Lima faced Tim Means on February 28, 2015 at UFC 184.Means won the fight via first-round TKO.
Lima filled in as a short notice replacement against Li Jingliang on May 16, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 66, replacing Roger Zapata. He lost the fight by knockout in the first round.
On July 5, 2015, Lima confirmed his release from the UFC.
The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption
In February 2017, it was revealed that Lima would compete again on the UFC's reality show in the 25th season on The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption. Lima was the fourth pick overall for Team Dillashaw. He faced Hayder Hassan in the opening round and won by unanimous decision.He faced Gilbert Smith in the quarter finals, winning the bout in a third round sudden death victory. Smith announced his retirement after the loss to Lima. In the semi-finals, Lima faced teammate Tom Gallicchio and won by unanimous decision to be the first fighter in the finals.
UFC return
Three years after his first stint on the show, Lima faced teammate Jesse Taylor in the finals on July 7, 2017 at The Ulimate Fighter: Redemption Finale. He lost the back-and-forth fight via rear-naked choke submission in the second round.
Lima faced Yushin Okami on April 14, 2018 at UFC on Fox 29. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Lima faced Chad Laprise on December 8, 2018 at UFC 231. He won the fight by knockout in the first round.
As the last fight of his The Ultimate Fighter contract, Lima faced Court McGee on April 27, 2019 at UFC Fight Night: Jacaré vs. Hermansson. He won the fight via split decision.
After the McGee fight, Lima signed a new contract with the UFC and faced Luke Jumeau on October 6, 2019 at UFC 243. He won the fight via split decision. Despite the win, Lima's manager revealed that they are going to appeal the split decision to be turned to unanimous.
Lima was scheduled to face Alex Morono on February 8, 2020 at UFC 247. However on January 22, 2020, Lima was forced to withdraw from the bout due to a neck injury.
Personal life
Diego Lima is the younger brother of Bellator Welterweight champion Douglas Lima.
Championships and accomplishments
Ultimate Fighting Championship
- The Ultimate Fighter 19 - Performance of the Season (Lima was awarded both Performance bonuses)
- Runner up on The Ultimate Fighter 19
- Runner up on The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption
Titan Fighting Championship
- Titan FC Welterweight Championship (One Time)
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 22 matches | 15 wins | 7 losses |
| By knockout | 4 | 4 |
| By submission | 4 | 1 |
| By decision | 7 | 2 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 15–7 | Luke Jumeau | Decision (split) | UFC 243 | October 6, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Melbourne, Australia | |
| Win | 14–7 | Court McGee | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Jacaré vs. Hermansson | April 27, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Sunrise, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 13–7 | Chad Laprise | KO (punch) | UFC 231 | December 8, 2018 | 1 | 1:37 | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| Loss | 12–7 | Yushin Okami | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on Fox: Poirier vs. Gaethje | April 14, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Glendale, Arizona, United States | |
| Loss | 12–6 | Jesse Taylor | Submission (rear-naked choke) | The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption Finale | July 7, 2017 | 2 | 0:43 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | The Ultimate Fighter 25 Welterweight Tournament Final. |
| Loss | 12–5 | Jason Jackson | TKO (punches) | Titan FC 42 | December 2, 2016 | 1 | 1:20 | Coral Gables, Florida, United States | Lost the Titan FC Welterweight Championship. |
| Win | 12–4 | David Michaud | Decision (unanimous) | Titan FC 39 | June 10, 2016 | 5 | 5:00 | Coral Gables, Florida, United States | Won the vacant Titan FC Welterweight Championship. |
| Win | 11–4 | Antonio Trócoli | Decision (unanimous) | Legacy FC 53 | April 8, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlanta, Georgia, United States | |
| Loss | 10–4 | Li Jingliang | KO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Edgar vs. Faber | May 16, 2015 | 1 | 1:25 | Pasay, Philippines | |
| Loss | 10–3 | Tim Means | TKO (punches) | UFC 184 | February 28, 2015 | 1 | 2:17 | Los Angeles, California, United States | |
| Win | 10–2 | Jorge de Oliveira | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Saint Preux | November 8, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Uberlândia, Brazil | Return to Welterweight. |
| Loss | 9–2 | Eddie Gordon | KO (punches) | The Ultimate Fighter: Team Edgar vs. Team Penn Finale | July 6, 2014 | 1 | 1:11 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Lost The Ultimate Fighter 19 Middleweight Tournament. |
| Win | 9–1 | Ricky Rainey | Decision (split) | XFC 25: Boiling Point | September 6, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | |
| Win | 8–1 | Roger Carroll | TKO (punches) | Wild Bill's Fight Night 53 | March 16, 2013 | 3 | 3:06 | Duluth, Georgia, United States | |
| Win | 7–1 | Nick Hinchliffe | Decision (unanimous) | MFC 34 | August 10, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | |
| Loss | 6–1 | Nathan Coy | Decision (unanimous) | MFC 32 | January 27, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | |
| Win | 6–0 | Jamie Toney | KO (punches) | MFC 30: Up Close & Personal | June 10, 2011 | 1 | 2:47 | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | |
| Win | 5–0 | Josh Taveirne | Submission (rear-naked choke) | MFC 29: Conquer | April 8, 2011 | 3 | 3:35 | Windsor, Ontario, Canada | |
| Win | 4–0 | Bill Fraser | KO (punch) | MFC 27 | November 12, 2010 | 2 | 2:36 | Enoch, Alberta, Canada | Catchweight (175 lbs) bout. |
| Win | 3–0 | Keon Caldwell | Submission (armbar) | Sportfight X - 3 | July 10, 2010 | 1 | 4:44 | Atlanta, Georgia, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Kenny Moss | Submission (triangle choke) | Sportfight X - 1 | March 26, 2010 | 1 | 4:28 | Atlanta, Georgia, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Steve Montgomery | Submission (triangle choke) | Fight Party | February 5, 2010 | 3 | 4:41 | Greenville, South Carolina, United States |
Mixed martial arts exhibition record
| Exhibition record breakdown | ||
| 6 matches | 6 wins | 0 losses |
| By submission | 2 | 0 |
| By decision | 4 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 6–0 | Tom Gallicchio | Decision (unanimous) | The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption | Jun 27, 2017 (airdate) | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | TUF 25 Semifinal Round |
| Win | 5–0 | Gilbert Smith | Decision (unanimous) | Jun 14, 2017 (airdate) | 3 | 5:00 | TUF 25 Quarterfinal Round | ||
| Win | 4–0 | Hayder Hassan | Decision (unanimous) | May 17, 2017 (airdate) | 2 | 5:00 | TUF 25 Preliminary Round | ||
| Win | 3–0 | Roger Zapata | Submission (armbar) | The Ultimate Fighter 19 | July 2, 2014 (airdate) | 1 | 0:34 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | TUF 19 Semifinal Round |
| win | 2–0 | Tim Williams | Submission (rear-naked choke) | May 7, 2014 (airdate) | 2 | 3:36 | TUF 19 Quarterfinal Round | ||
| Win | 1–0 | Adam Stroup | Decision (unanimous) | April 16, 2014 (airdate) | 2 | 5:00 | TUF 19 Elimination Round |