Dhiego Lima is a Brazilian retired mixed martial artist who competed in the welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Lima began his professional MMA career in 2010 and gained recognition through his appearances on The Ultimate Fighter reality series.
You can follow Dhiego Lima’s biography, personal details, career details, wife, net worth, contract, fight purses, earnings, fight records, stats, achievements, and more here.
Dhiego Lima’s Biography
| Full Name | Dhiego Lima |
| Birth Date | January 31, 1989 |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight | 170 lb (77 kg) |
| Birthplace | Goiânia, Brazil |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Turned Professional | 2010 |
| Current Net Worth | $1 million |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Wife | Erica Lima |
| Instagram Profile | @dhlimamma |
Dhiego Lima was born on January 31, 1989, in Goiânia, Brazil. He spent his early childhood in his hometown before moving to the United States with his family and settling in Atlanta, Georgia.
Lima comes from a family with a strong martial arts background, as his older brother, Douglas Lima, is also a professional MMA fighter and former Bellator Welterweight champion.
Professional Career
Dhiego Lima’s professional career took a significant turn when he was selected as a cast member for The Ultimate Fighter 19 in December 2013.
Representing Team Edgar in the middleweight division, Lima demonstrated his abilities by defeating Tim Williams in the quarterfinals and Roger Zapata in the semifinals, both via submission.
Lima made his official UFC debut on July 6, 2014, at The Ultimate Fighter 19 Finale, facing fellow castmate Eddie Gordon. Unfortunately, he lost the fight via knockout in the first round.
In 2017, Lima returned to The Ultimate Fighter for its 25th season, reaching the finals once again. He faced Jesse Taylor on July 7, 2017, at The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption Finale, losing via submission in the second round.
Throughout his UFC career, Lima faced notable opponents such as Yushin Okami, Chad Laprise, Court McGee, and Matt Brown. His last fight in the UFC was against Matt Brown on June 19, 2021, which ended in a knockout loss.
In February 2022, Lima announced his retirement from competitive MMA.
Wife
Dhiego Lima is married. The name of his wife is Erica Lima. The couple often shares their moments on social media. They have 3 children together: 1 son and 2 daughter.
Dhiego Lima’s Net Worth Details
Dhiego Lima’s net worth is estimated to be $1 million as of 2025. His earnings come from fight purses, endorsements, and other sources.
Contract
Dhiego Lima’s contract with the UFC has evolved. Initially, he was on a contract from The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) show, which typically offers lower pay that doesn’t increase much over time.
After his win over Court McGee in April 2019, Lima and his manager negotiated a new deal with the UFC.
Fight Purses
| Event | Fight Purse | Notes |
| The Ultimate Fighter 19 | $50,000 | Performance of the Season bonuses (2 x $25,000) |
| UFC 258 | $70,000 | $60,000 base salary + $10,000 sponsorship |
Fight Records
| Result | Opponent | Event | Method | Round | Time |
| Loss | Matt Brown | UFC on ESPN: The Korean Zombie vs. Ige | KO (punch) | 2 | 3:02 |
| Loss | Belal Muhammad | UFC 258 | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Win | Luke Jumeau | UFC 243 | Decision (split) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Win | Court McGee | UFC Fight Night: Jacaré vs. Hermansson | Decision (split) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Win | Chad Laprise | UFC 231 | KO (punch) | 1 | 1:37 |
| Loss | Yushin Okami | UFC on Fox: Poirier vs. Gaethje | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Loss | Jesse Taylor | The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption Finale | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 2 | 0:43 |
| Loss | Jason Jackson | Titan FC 42 | TKO (punches) | 1 | 2:10 |
| Win | David Michaud | Titan FC 39 | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | 5:00 |
| Win | Antonio Trócoli | Legacy FC 53 | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Loss | Li Jingliang | UFC Fight Night: Edgar vs. Faber | KO (punches) | 1 | 1:25 |
| Loss | Tim Means | UFC 184 | TKO (punches) | 1 | 2:17 |
| Win | Jorge de Oliveira | UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Saint Preux | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Loss | Eddie Gordon | The Ultimate Fighter: Team Edgar vs. Team Penn Finale | KO (punches) | 1 | 1:11 |
| Win | Ricky Rainey | XFC 25: Boiling Point | Decision (split) | 3 | 5:00 |
Stats
| Total Fights | Wins | Losses | Draws |
| 26 | 17 | 9 | 0 |
Achievements
- Runner-up on The Ultimate Fighter 19
- Runner-up on The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption
- Performance of the Season on The Ultimate Fighter 19
- Titan FC Welterweight Championship (One Time)
FAQs
1. Who is Dhiego Lima?
Dhiego Lima is a Brazilian retired mixed martial artist who competed in the welterweight division of the UFC. He is known for being a two-time finalist on The Ultimate Fighter reality series and is the younger brother of former Bellator champion Douglas Lima.
2. When and where was Dhiego Lima born?
Dhiego Lima was born on January 31, 1989, in Goiânia, Brazil. He spent his early years there before moving to the United States with his family.
3. What is Dhiego Lima’s professional MMA record?
Dhiego Lima finished his professional MMA career with a record of 15 wins and 9 losses. His victories include four by knockout, five by submission, and eight by decision.
4. What are Dhiego Lima’s most notable achievements in MMA?
Dhiego Lima was the runner-up on both The Ultimate Fighter 19 and The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption (season 25). He also won the Titan FC Welterweight Championship and received the Performance of the Season bonus on TUF 19.
5. When did Dhiego Lima retire from MMA, and why?
Dhiego Lima announced his retirement from MMA in February 2022. He stated that he felt guided by his faith to step away from fighting and focus on new opportunities, including coaching.
6. How many times did Dhiego Lima compete on The Ultimate Fighter, and how did he perform?
Dhiego Lima competed twice on The Ultimate Fighter, in seasons 19 and 25. He reached the finals both times but finished as runner-up in each season.
7. Who is Dhiego Lima’s brother, and what is his significance in MMA?
Dhiego Lima’s older brother is Douglas Lima, a well-known MMA fighter and former Bellator Welterweight Champion. The brothers co-own a gym in Georgia and have both had successful fighting careers.
8. What fighting style and techniques is Dhiego Lima known for?
Dhiego Lima is recognized as a well-rounded mixed martial artist with a strong background in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He has secured wins by knockout and submission, with his favorite grappling technique being the triangle choke.
9. What did Dhiego Lima do before becoming a professional fighter?
Before starting his MMA career, Dhiego Lima worked as a lumber and kitchen associate at Home Depot. He began training in MMA after high school, inspired by his brother.
10. What is Dhiego Lima doing after retirement?
After retiring from competition, Dhiego Lima has focused on coaching and running his gym, American Top Team – Team Lima, in Lawrenceville, Georgia, where he helps train the next generation of fighters.
