Hot prospect Dhiego Lima ready for showdown against tough veteran at The Rundown

Posted on | August 24, 2011 | No Comments

by: MFC Staff

The Maximum Fighting Championship has set its final fight for the main card of MFC 31: The Rundown, and it is sure to be an explosive collision.

In a matchup featuring the MFC’s hottest prospect, Dhiego “Maluco” Lima will put his undefeated streak on the line against rugged veteran “Dangerous” Terry Martin.

It is an interesting turn in the development of Lima (6-0), who has torn through his opposition under the MFC banner. At MFC 29 back in April, his older brother Douglas Lima defended the MFC welterweight title with a stunning knockout of Martin (21-9), needing only 1:14 to retain the belt. Now Dhiego Lima is going up against the same man and with a lofty goal in mind.

“I’m going to knock out Terry Martin and I’m going to do it faster than my brother did,” said Dhiego.

The Martin-Lima matchup will be one of the highlighted bouts on the HDNet Fights live broadcast of MFC 31 emanating from the Mayfield Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, on Friday, October 7. HDNet’s broadcast launches at 10 p.m. ET/8 p.m. MT/7 p.m. PT with Michael Schiavello and Frank Trigg calling all the action (check local listings for channel designation).

Lima captured his third straight victory in the MFC looking sharper than ever in a first-round knockout of Jamie Toney at MFC 30 in June. The Atlanta, Georgia, product notched the second stoppage of his career by landing a barrage of punches on Toney before the referee stepped in just 2:47 into the bout.

The victory over Toney catapulted the 21-year-old Lima up the worldwide rankings and garnered him the reputation as one of the elite up-and-comers in the welterweight division. He possesses a rare combination of overall athleticism, developing skills both in stand-up and submission, and perhaps his most recognized quality, a ferocious, attack-minded nature.

At MFC 29, Lima registered the fourth submission win of his blossoming career as he outlasted Josh Taveirne on his way to a fight-finishing rear-naked choke with only 1:25 to go in the contest. Lima’s debut in the MFC was an impressive one as he put away Bill Fraser with a one-punch knockout at MFC 27.

Martin returns to the MFC attempting to rebuild on a three-fight winning streak that was stopped by Douglas Lima at MFC 29.

The 30-year-old Chicago, Illinois, native has racked up 12 knockout victories over the course of his eight-year career, and holds notable wins over Chael Sonnen, Jorge Rivera, and Ivan Salaverry. Martin boasts a 10-fight winning streak that launched his career, and he has stood across from a host of other big-name fighters including Vitor Belfort, Chris Leben, and Marvin Eastman.

The Martin-Lima fight rounds out main card for MFC 31: The Rundown. The entire lineup is:

Rameau Sokoudjou vs. Ryan Jimmo, MFC light-heavyweight title

Terry Martin vs. Dhiego Lima, catchweight

Richie Whitson vs. Kajan Johnson, lightweight

Adam Lynn vs. Curtis Demarce, lightweight

Sabah Fadai vs. Mukai Maromo, lightweight

Ryan Chiappe vs. Cody Krahn, welterweight

The undercard for MFC 31 will be announced shortly.

Tickets for MFC 31: The Rundown are going fast and available only through the MFC Ticket Hotline at (780) 504-2024.

For more information and media credentials for MFC 31, please contact:

Scott Zerr, Director of Media and Fighter Relations

Maximum Fighting Championship