Dione Barbosa Shines at DWCS earns UFC Contract with 1st round Armbar Victory

If you are on Cyborg Nation then you have been familiar with the name Dione Barbosa for awhile, the Co Host of our weekly Technique Thursday video during season 2, Dione Barbosa moved to the USA from Brazil and was a roommate of Cris Cyborg’s and one of her main grappling partners for Bellator MMA bouts against Leslie Smith, Sinead Kavanagh, and Arlene Blencowe.

Currently helping Cris Cyborg prepare for an Oct. 7th Championship fight against Cat Zingano, Dione Barbosa was given a call Friday asking if she could make weight for a fight opportunity the following Tuesday. (4 days notice)  Accepting the challenge Barbosa would go on to cut 16 pounds in 3 days. Her flights from LA to Las Vegas were cancelled due to heavy rains, and so she DROVE HERSELF to Las Vegas.  All of the commitment, risk, and adversity was worth it however as Dione Barbosa controlled the first round before submitting Rainn Guerrero with second left in the first round to win via armbar.

Improving her professional record to 6 wins and only 2 defeats Barbosa finds herself in the UFC after only 8 professional MMA fights.  A Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt, and a former Brazil Olympic Judo Team player Barbosa has been considered a “Blue Chip” prospect since coming to MMA with her only defeats coming against the 10-1 Josiane Nunes who is currently in the UFC and Undefeated Bellator MMA fighter Jena Bishop.  For Barbosa who is 31 years old and now training with King’s MMA in Huntington Beach CA many see a bright future inside of the UFC promotion for the former LFA star and expect her to become one of the next generation of Women’s MMA stars from Brazil.