MMA in ATL: Marietta native Dhiego Lima faces undefeated Keon Caldwell at Sportfight X #3

Fighting is in Dhiego Lima’s blood. The 6-foot-0, 170-pounder out of Atlanta grew up as the younger brother to Douglas Lima, who has made his name known in the MMA community, earning the nickname “The Phenom.” Now, it’s younger brother Dhiego’s turn to make his name known, and he will look to continue that when he steps into the cage Saturday at the Georgia World Congress Center for Sportfight X #3, where he will take on Keon Caldwell (7-0-0).

The Lima brothers grew up in Brazil and moved to Atlanta when Dhiego was 10 years old. While he did not participate in any sort of karate or fighting classes as a kid, Lima was always enthralled with action movies. Dhiego says that the two brawling brothers did not actually fight at all as kids, save one incident Lima laughs about, when he once broke a broom stick on his brother’s back. The younger of the two Limas says his older brother has been a big influence on becoming a fighter.

In high school, Lima starred as a nose tackle on the football team for Wheeler in Marietta. Lima, who was then bigger than the cut 170-pound frame he sports now, was offered to play at a Division III school in California after he graduated. But he had other ideas.

Older brother Douglas began MMA fighting when Dhiego was in high school, and Dhiego began going with his brother to the gym to watch and learn about the sport. Douglas’ trainer, Roan “Jucao” Carneiro, told Diego that he could be his star student eventually and convinced Diego to consider ultimate fighting. Diego wasn’t enthused at the idea of taking classes while playing football out west, and thought fighting could be a better alternate. He began training under Carneiro and was fighting before he graduated.

“I knew from that first fight that I could do this,” Lima said. While Lima lost his first fight in a split-decision, he knew he had found his calling. “I wasn’t nervous or anything. I felt at home.”

From there, Lima quickly began his ascension to become the best fighter he could be. Like his brother, he cruised through the amateur circuit and got his first professional bout on February 5, earlier this year, where he defeated Steve Montgomery by submission. On March 26, he beat then 3-1-0 Kenny Moss again by submission to earn wins in his first two professional matches. Now, Lima looks to keep the train rolling Saturday when he takes on “Black Assassin” Keon Caldwell, who’s undefeated in seven professional fights.

PREPARING FOR WAR …

Caldwell has been talking a lot of smack leading up to the fight, telling sportfightx.com, “I like to knock people out, but it doesn’t matter to me how I win, all I can say is he’s going to feel it. Dhiego, you better be ready to get it on.”

Lima is not at all intimidated by Caldwell’s comments or his unblemished record, responding, “I’m not intimidated by his record. That’s just a number, once you get in the cage all the numbers are gone, it’s just me and him.” Lima says Caldwell has not yet faced a fighter of his caliber and Lima relishes the opportunity to shut Caldwell’s mouth.

As a fighter, Lima says he is better on his feet and is comparable to his brother in that aspect. At the same time, he is no slouch should the match turn to a ground game, as shown by Lima winning his first two matches by triangle chokes, a move where you constrict the opponent’s neck and arm, by forming a triangle shape with your legs around him to force submission.

Lima says to beat Caldwell and stay undefeated, he must fight his fight and not try to just brawl in the cage. He feels good about his chances to put a loss on Caldwell’s record.

“I train very hard, I got a big heart, that’s one of the reasons I’m so confident,” Lima told sportfightx.com.

After Saturday, Lima says he will fight twice more this year before 2010 comes to a close. He hopes to stay undefeated professionally by the end of the year and sees no reason why that can’t happen. As for the future, the sky is the limit for the up-and-coming striker. Lima is hungry and hopes that he can eventually work his way up to the big time, and fight in UFC with the world’s best. Lima has a plan to get the big call. He will not fight anyone he believes is not a worthy opponent, and he doesn’t want to go against anybody that doesn’t have a winning record. If Lima continues to fight good fighters and prove himself, he believes he can get the big call one day.

As for now, Lima promises it will be a show any time you sit down to watch him. “I want to make people watch me. I like to get the crowd into it.” Expect nothing less Saturday night, as Lima said, “It will be a battle.”

If you want to know how good the younger Lima can eventually be, look no further than his successful older brother for an opinion. When asked about his younger brother, Douglas Lima simply said, “Keep your eyes open for that kid.” With Lima’s style, keeping your eyes open should be no problem.

In addition to the Lima-Caldwell bout, there will be plenty of action going on at the Georgia World Congress Center Saturday night, as a record total of 18 undefeated fighters will be in action. The headliner match is Georgia’s Ethan Garrison taking on “Vicious” Sammy Collingwood. Garrison looks to improve to 8-0 against the wild Collingwood, who has often caused controversy in the cage. Another match featured pits veteran George Allen against John Buck. All in all, there will be nine professional and six amateur matches Saturday night and tickets are still available for sale for $29.