Diego Nunes (fighter)

Diego Torresean Nunes (born November 30, 1982) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist. A professional since 2004, he has fought for the UFC, WEC, Bellator MMA, RXF, Fight Nights Global, and the Rizin Fighting Federation.

Diego Nunes
Born (1982-11-30) November 30, 1982
Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Other namesThe Gun
NationalityBrazilian
Height5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Weight145.1 lb (66 kg; 10 st 5 lb)
DivisionLightweight
Featherweight
Reach67.0 in (170 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofLos Angeles, California, United States
TeamEvolução Thay Brasil
RankPurple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Years active2004–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total31
Wins23
By knockout7
By submission9
By decision7
Losses8
By knockout2
By decision6
WebsiteOfficial UFC Profile
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
last updated on: February 16, 2011

Mixed martial arts career

Diego trains with Team Nogueira Brazil. Nunes' professional career in mixed martial arts began in May 2004, when he defeated Jorge Santos Velho by TKO. He has fought in GP, TFC, Shooto, WEC and the UFC.

World Extreme Cagefighting

Diego won his WEC debut against Cole Province by unanimous decision at WEC 37. Nunes was scheduled to fight Cub Swanson on the undercard at WEC 40, but a hand injury just days before the bout, forced Nunes to cancel the fight. He next fought Rafael Dias at WEC 42 on August 9, 2009. Nunes defeated Dias via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27).

Nunes suffered his first professional loss to LC Davis via unanimous decision at WEC 44.[1]

Nunes was expected to face Leonard Garcia on March 6, 2010 at WEC 47,[2] but Nunes was forced from the card with an injury.[3] Nunes was replaced by former UFC fighter George Roop.[4]

Nunes then faced Raphael Assunção on June 20, 2010 at WEC 49.[5] He won the fight via split decision.

Nunes faced Tyler Toner on September 30, 2010 at WEC 51.[6] He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

On October 28, 2010, World Extreme Cagefighting merged with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As part of the merger, all WEC fighters were transferred to the UFC.[7]

Nunes faced Mike Brown on January 1, 2011 at UFC 125.[8] He won the fight via split decision.

Nunes faced Kenny Florian on June 11, 2011 at UFC 131.[9] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Nunes was expected to face Manvel Gamburyan on September 24, 2011 at UFC 135, but Gamburyan pulled out of the fight due to a shoulder injury.[10] Then, on August 29, Nunes confirmed his own exit from the card, citing an injury.[11]

Nunes/Gamburyan eventually took place on December 30, 2011 at UFC 141.[12] Nunes won the fight via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).

Nunes next faced Dennis Siver on April 14, 2012 at UFC on Fuel TV: Gustafsson vs. Silva.[13] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Nunes faced Bart Palaszewski on October 5, 2012 at UFC on FX 5.[14] After three full rounds, Nunes won the fight via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27). The performance also earned both participants Fight of the Night honors.

Nunes then faced Nik Lentz on January 19, 2013 at UFC on FX: Belfort vs. Bisping.[15] He lost the fight via unanimous decision and was subsequently released from the promotion.[16]

Bellator MMA

In June 2013, it was revealed that Nunes signed with Bellator MMA.[17]

In his debut, Nunes faced prior title challenger Patricio Freire at Bellator 99 in the Quarterfinals of the season nine featherweight tournament. He lost the fight via knockout at just 1:19 in the first round. This is the first time that Nunes had ever been knocked out, or even finished, in his career.

In February 2014, Nunes entered into the Bellator season ten featherweight tournament. He faced Matt Bessette in the quarterfinals at Bellator 110 and lost the back-and-forth fight via split decision.

Post Bellator

After an unsuccessful run in Bellator, Nunes faced longtime MMA veteran Joachim Hansen at Superior Challenge 11 for the featherweight title. Nunes won the fight by KO in the second round with a hard left hand after breaking his knee in the first round

Fight Nights Global (FNG)

After recovering from a knee injury for almost two years, Nunes signed with Fight Nights Global and his debut was at the Fight Nights Global 51: Dagestan battle 2, on 25 September 2016 against Rasul Mirzaev.[18] He lost the fight by knockout in the first round.

Post FNG

After Fight Nights Global Nunes fought Radu Mihaita in Italy-based promotion Magnum FC in July 2017. Nunes won the fight via knockout.

In the beginning of December 2017, Nunes fought Michel Ersoy in Swedish promotion Superior Challenge. Nunes won the fight via guillotine choke.

Just two weeks after the fight with Ersoy, Nunes fought Corneliu Lascăr in Romania at RXF 29: All Stars and won via guillotine choke.

Rizin FF

After amassing a win streak of three in the European circuits, Nunes signed a contract with Rizin Fighting Federation. He was slated against Yusuke Yachi at Rizin 10 and lost a close fight via split decision.[19]

Personal life

Diego is of Italian heritage. Diego is married with Karen Nunes. He is a Christian and regularly posts Bible verses on his Facebook page.[20]

Championships and achievements
  • Superior Challenge
    • SC Featherweight Championship (One time, current)

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
31 matches 23 wins 8 losses
By knockout 7 2
By submission 9 0
By decision 7 6
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 23–8 Simon Sköld Submission (guillotine choke) Superior Challenge 19 May 11, 2019 1 2:55 Stockholm, Sweden Defended the SC Featherweight Championship.
Loss 22–8 Yusuke Yachi Decision (split) Rizin 10 May 6, 2018 3 5:00 Fukuoka, Japan Lightweight bout.
Win 22–7 Corneliu Lascăr Submission (guillotine choke) RXF 29: All Stars December 18, 2017 3 4:46 Brasov, Romania Lightweight bout.
Win 21–7 Michel Ersoy Submission (guillotine choke) Superior Challenge 16 December 2, 2017 2 0:54 Stockholm, Sweden Defended the SC Featherweight Championship.
Win 20–7 Radu Mihatu KO (punch) Magnum Fighting Championship 2 July 22, 2017 1 0:25 Rome, Italy Lightweight bout.
Loss 19–7 Rasul Mirzaev TKO (punches) Fight Nights Global 51: Pavlovich vs. Gelegaev September 25, 2016 1 1:45 Kaspiysk, Dagestan, Russia
Win 19–6 Joachim Hansen KO (punch) Superior Challenge 11 November 29, 2014 2 1:51 Sodertalje, Sweden Won the SC Featherweight Championship.
Loss 18–6 Matt Bessette Decision (split) Bellator 110 February 28, 2014 3 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Bellator Season Ten Featherweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Loss 18–5 Patrício Freire KO (punch) Bellator 99 September 13, 2013 1 1:19 Temecula, California, United States Bellator Season Nine Featherweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Loss 18–4 Nik Lentz Decision (unanimous) UFC on FX: Belfort vs. Bisping January 19, 2013 3 5:00 São Paulo, Brazil
Win 18–3 Bart Palaszewski Decision (unanimous) UFC on FX: Browne vs. Bigfoot October 5, 2012 3 5:00 Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States Fight of the Night.
Loss 17–3 Dennis Siver Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fuel TV: Gustafsson vs. Silva April 14, 2012 3 5:00 Stockholm, Sweden
Win 17–2 Manvel Gamburyan Decision (unanimous) UFC 141 December 30, 2011 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 16–2 Kenny Florian Decision (unanimous) UFC 131 June 11, 2011 3 5:00 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Win 16–1 Mike Brown Decision (split) UFC 125 January 1, 2011 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 15–1 Tyler Toner Decision (unanimous) WEC 51 September 30, 2010 3 5:00 Broomfield, Colorado, United States
Win 14–1 Raphael Assunção Decision (split) WEC 49 June 20, 2010 3 5:00 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Loss 13–1 LC Davis Decision (unanimous) WEC 44 November 18, 2009 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 13–0 Rafael Dias Decision (unanimous) WEC 42 August 9, 2009 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 12–0 Cole Province Decision (unanimous) WEC 37: Torres vs. Tapia December 3, 2008 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 11–0 Marcelo Franca Submission (guillotine choke) Shooto: Brazil 8 August 30, 2008 1 2:20 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win 10–0 Henrique Mello KO (head kick) Top Fighting Championships 3 May 2, 2007 1 N/A Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win 9–0 Luciano Dos Santos Submission (guillotine choke) Sul Fight Championship 1 September 16, 2006 1 4:40 Santa Catarina, Brazil
Win 8–0 Jetron Azevedo Submission (armbar) Storm Samurai 10 January 28, 2006 1 N/A Brazil
Win 7–0 Piri Piri Submission (guillotine choke) Floripa Fight 1 November 26, 2005 1 0:55 Florianópolis, Brazil
Win 6–0 Einstein Santana Submission (guillotine choke) Battle Front 1 May 29, 2005 1 N/A Brazil
Win 5–0 Jorge dos Santos Velho TKO GP: Tornado 5 March 19, 2005 1 N/A Caxias do Sul, Brazil
Win 4–0 Giovani Diniz KO Profight Championships 3 January 31, 2005 N/A N/A Brazil
Win 3–0 Lindomar Silva Submission (guillotine choke) GP: Tornado 3 October 28, 2004 N/A N/A Brazil
Win 2–0 Michel Michel KO GP: Tornado 2 July 18, 2004 1 0:30 Brazil
Win 1–0 Jorge dos Santos Velho TKO (punches) Copa Gaucha: Fight Center 2 May 15, 2004 2 N/A Caxias do Sul, Brazil

See also

References
  1. "WEC 44: Brown vs. Aldo results". www.wec.tv/index.cfmom. 2009-11-19.
  2. "Leonard Garcia and Diego Nunes agree to WEC 47 bout". mmajunkie.com. 2010-01-18. Archived from the original on 2010-01-21.
  3. "Injury forces Diego Nunes to withdraw from WEC 47 on March 6 in Columbus". mmamania.com. 2010-02-18.
  4. "George Roop tapped as late replacement, faces Leonard Garcia at WEC 47". mmajunkie.com. 2010-02-20. Archived from the original on 2010-02-23.
  5. "Rafael Assuncao vs. Diego Nunes in the works for WEC 49 preliminary card". mmajunkie.com. 2010-04-30.
  6. "Tyler Toner vs. Diego Nunes added to "WEC 51: Aldo vs. Gamburyan"". mmajunkie.com. 2010-08-23.
  7. "UFC and WEC set to merge in 2011; events to air on Versus and Spike TV". mmajunkie.com. October 28, 2010. Archived from the original on 2010-10-31.
  8. "WEC vets Mike Brown and Diego Nunes targeted for UFC 125 matchup". mmajunkie.com. November 10, 2010. Archived from the original on November 12, 2010.
  9. "Kenny Florian vs. Diego Nunes in the works for UFC 131 in Vancouver". mmajunkie.com. February 19, 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-02-21.
  10. "Diego Nunes vs Manny Gamburyan fight announced for Sept. 24 in Denver". mmamania.com. July 22, 2011.
  11. "Nunes confirms UFC 135 exit, awaits Gamburyan in December". Sherdog.com. August 29, 2011. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
  12. "Manny Gamburyan vs Diego Nunes Back On for UFC 141". mmaweekly.com. October 31, 2011.
  13. "Diego Nunes vs. Dennis Siver added to UFC on FUEL TV 2". mmajunkie.com. January 24, 2012. Archived from the original on January 27, 2012.
  14. "Bart Palaszewski vs. Diego Nunes targeted for UFC on FX 5 in Indianapolis". mmajunkie.com. July 5, 2012. Archived from the original on July 8, 2012.
  15. "Diego Nunes meets Nik Lentz when UFC returns to Brazil on Jan. 19". mmajunkie.com. November 2, 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-11-04.
  16. "UFC releases featherweights Diego Nunes and Milton Vieira". bloodyelbow.com. February 22, 2013.
  17. "Diego Nunes signs with Bellator". mmafighting.com. June 8, 2013.
  18. "Diego Nunes vs. Rasul Mirzaev at the EFN 51". fightnights.ru. September 7, 2016.
  19. "Diego Nunes "The Gun"". Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  20. "Diego Nunes - A nova geração" (in Portuguese). Retrieved 25 August 2019.
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