Jim and Dan Miller, Antonio Rodrigo and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Patricky and Patricio Freire, and Nick and Nate Diaz are just a few pairs of brothers in the sport that have found success at the highest levels. 2012 may mark the year when another pair of fighting brothers ascends into the ranks of MMA's elite.
Douglas Lima, a 2011 World MMA Scouting Report prospect, fulfilled his half of the deal by tearing through the Bellator season five welterweight tournament, capping off the run with a knockout victory over UFC veteran Ben Saunders in November. Following in Douglas's footsteps, 21-year-old younger brother Dhiego Lima (6-0), fighting under the Maximum Fighting Championships' banner, is eying gold, and he's on the verge of getting the attention he deserves from the UFC.
The Ascension MMA fighter remains undefeated in six professional bouts, most recently finishing Jamie Toney and Josh Taveirne at MFC 30 and MFC 29 respectively. Unlike his brother, Dhiego has been far more focused on developing his stand-up game at an early stage in his career, boasting an effective ranged attack that utilizes every inch of his six-foot frame to break his opponents.
Defensively, he's well-versed in blocking attacks and countering with kicks and punches. He has respectable takedown defense, but he's more likely to work off his back and use his skillful grappling base to catch opponents off-guard.
Dhiego has stated in recent interviews that it's the UFC or bust for him. Those goals don't seem lofty considering how quickly his brother improved. If that's any indication, Dhiego will hone his skills and begin taking out accomplished competition in 2012. His first major test will take place on January 27 at MFC 32 against highly-touted Brazilian prospect Bruno Carvalho. It's a must-see fight to begin the new year.
Check out video footage of Dhiego Lima after the jump...
| Flyweight | Bantamweight | Featherweight | Lightweight |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 - #2 - #3 - #4 - #5 - #6 - #7 - #8 - #9 - #10 - |
#1 - Rony Mariano #2 - Aljamain Sterling #3 - Chris Holdsworth #4 - Josh Hill #5 - Fabiano Fernandes #6 - Claudio Ledesma #7 - Sirwan Kakai #8 - Kyoji Horiguchi #9 - Leandro Hygo #10 - Pedro Munhoz |
#1 - Hacran Dias #2 - Joey Gambino #3 - Brandon Bender #4 - Lance Palmer #5 - Jim Alers #6 - Anthony Gutierrez #7 - Max Holloway #8 - John Teixeira #9 - Cody Bollinger #10 - Bubba Jenkins |
#1 - Fabricio Guerreiro #2 - Alessandro Ferreira #3 - Adriano Martins #4 - Justin Salas #5 - Neilson Gomes #6 - Eduard Folayang #7 - Zorobabel Moreira #8 - Anton Kuivanen #9 - Jordan Rinaldi #10 - J.P. Vainikainen |
| Welterweight | Middleweight | Light Heavyweight | Heavyweight |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 - #2 - Dhiego Lima #3 - Brandon Thatch #4 - Nordine Taleb #5 - Hernani Perpetuo #6 - Brock Jardine #7 - Alan Jouban #8 - Mohsen Bahari #9 - Andre Santos #10 - Stephen Thompson |
#1 - #2 - #3 - #4 - #5 - #6 - #7 - #8 - #9 - #10 - |
#1 - #2 - #3 - #4 - #5 - #6 - #7 - #8 - #9 - #10 - |
#1 - #2 - #3 - #4 - #5 - #6 - #7 - #8 - #9 - #10 - |

Dhiego Lima vs. Jamie Toney
HDNet Webfights - Lima vs Taveirne
Bill Fraser vs Dhiego Lima - MFC 27 - Breakpoint
Dhiego Lima vs. Steve Montgomery
Augusta Extreme Fight Night VII - Napolean Etienne vs. Dhiego Lima
2 recs | 12 comments
I will be interviewing Dhiego before his fight at the end of the month
so if any of you guys have any questions for him, I’d be more than happy to ask them for you (and give full credit of course).
Brian Hemminger - January 8, 2012
who wants Big Lim and who wants to be Lil' Lim?
the guy with the big nose - January 8, 2012
who are his main training partners?
Robert V-U - January 8, 2012
Whats it like training with Brian Stann?
Hushh - January 8, 2012
ask him if his goal is to transition to the UFC or follow in his brother’s footsteps in Bellator
Hushh - January 8, 2012
Both Lima brothers are sick! Seen their fights in MFC. Douglas has already gone fairly big time by winning the Bellator tournament, but I’m expecting big things from both guys in the coming years. Still very young, but already extremely dangerous and skilled. Very nice.
Horselover Fat - January 8, 2012
Isn’t Bruno Carvalho the one who just got blasted by Marius Zaromskis?
TLow - January 8, 2012
Yes
Horselover Fat - January 8, 2012
Yeah, but honestly… let’s not be so harsh. It was highly unlikely that the somersault kick would land on the right spot to KO Carvalho, but it happened. Unlucky. This is his chance to play spoiler, and it’s a step up for Lima.
Leland Roling - January 8, 2012
I'm excited...
Both guys usually have really exciting fights.
Tag01 - January 8, 2012
Should've been number 1.
Dhiego is the goods. A prime prospect, really showing what training in America full time can do for a dude.
Although I don’t think he’s a super-elite prospect(and I haven’t seen one at WW since Ben Askren), he should be pretty damn good.
DJTLC - January 9, 2012
It was this one my bad hahaha still this was mentioned on HDnet MFC 32
great work! it’s a solid solid series that I look forward too
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ - January 27, 2012
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