Austen Lane (12-4, 1 NC) seems to have an interesting opponent for his upcoming fight on Saturday. Not much is known about his opponent, Jhonata Diniz (6-0), other than he’s a sneaky good Brazilian kickboxer. In fact, Diniz was also a former star of GLORY Kickboxing, showcasing his skills against the world’s best.
However, the former NFL defensive end must figure out a good strategy to take down the enigmatic kickboxer. What must Lane do to prevail on Saturday? What should the Murray State grad watch for as he faces a wild card in Diniz?
Austen Lane’s Strengths
For Austin Lane, he has incredible knockout power. The former NFL star can ground and pound his opponents into oblivion, winning fights decisively. He’s a proficient striker who can end the fight quickly once he gets ahold of you. His strikes are also quick, making him even more of a threat. This is an accomplishment for an MMA fighter that relies on pure power.
Granted, Lane is still seeking his first UFC win. Therefore, that factor might weigh on his mind during UFC Fight Night. However, ending fights quickly is a special trait for a fighter like himself. Opponents must be on guard at all times and it will be no different for Diniz come Saturday.
How Austen Lane Can Win
Like Lane, Diniz has heavy strikes of his own. The Brazilian kickboxer’s agility, mixed with his power, makes him a dangerous opponent. While his punches don’t look devastating on the surface, they’re strong enough to knock his opponents to the ground.
In fact, he can land quick counters toward incoming foes, making him even deadlier. Therefore, Austen Lane must keep Diniz in the center of the octagon. That way, he doesn’t get cornered and let the Brazilian heavyweight control the match.
Lane must also watch for Diniz’s boxing acumen. Whether it’s an incoming uppercut or a powerful jab, Diniz can end the fight quickly with his arsenal. Staying on his feet and moving will be paramount to nabbing his first UFC victory. That’s especially true if Lane is using the Brazilian fighter’s strength against himself.
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Jacob Walters is a boxing/MMA writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @IceColdWJacob
