Back to the MMA Newsfeed

Dhiego Lima explains why he didn’t turn down a fight with ex-TUF coach Matt Brown: ‘He would feel disrespected’

Two-time The Ultimate Fighter runner-up Dhiego Lima almost declined a chance to fight Matt Brown out of respect for the UFC “legend.” Then he realized it could be seen as the opposite.

Lima, who first competed on TUF 19 season, returned for the special “Redemption” season in 2017 as a member of T.J. Dillashaw’s team. Brown was an assistant coach and helped fighters prepare for their bouts in the reality show, and Lima went back in time to reflect on those moments in the TUF gym before ultimately saying yes to a clash with Brown UFC Vegas 29 this Saturday.