Matheus Diniz

2020-2022 On 2 October 2020, Diniz was invited to compete in the main event of Who's Number One against Gordon Ryan. Diniz lost the match by submission, a heel hook. This match against Ryan was later awarded Match of the Year at the Jitsmagazine 2020 BJJ Awards. He was then invited to compete in the middleweight grand prix at BJJ Stars 4 on 14 November 2020. Diniz lost his opening round match against Otavio de Souza on advantages.

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. He then competed in the main event of the inaugural Road to ADCC event on 17 July 2021, against Kaynan Duarte. He lost the match after being submitted with a heel hook.

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

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

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

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. He was submitted by Kade Ruotolo in the opening round.

Championships and accomplishments Brazilian jiu-jitsu / Submission wrestling List of achievements at black belt level:

ADCC Submission Fighting World Champion (2019) IBJJF Pan-American No-Gi Champion (2015 absolute) Kasai Pro 185 lbs Grand Prix Champion (2018) 2nd place IBJJF World No-Gi Championship (2015) 2nd place IBJJF Pan-American Championship (2022) 2nd place IBJJF Pan-American No-Gi Championship (2015) 3rd place IBJJF World Championship (2019) 3rd place IBJJF World No-Gi Championship (2015, 2016, 2017) 3rd place IBJJF Pan-American Championship (2017, 2018) List of achievements in lower belts divisions:

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 Mitsuyo "Count Koma" Maeda → Carlos Gracie Sr. → Helio Gracie → Rolls Gracie → Romero "Jacare" Cavalcanti → Fabio Gurgel → Marcelo Garcia → Matheus Diniz