Ohio (USA): On the heels of “Shine 2: American Top Team vs. The World,” one of the biggest MMA events in Florida history, Shine Fight Promotions (Shine Fights) is excited to announce the signing of the newest addition to its rapidly developing world-class roster, ATT member Din “Dinyero” Thomas.
Thomas is a nine-time UFC veteran, and is one of the top fight names in the world. Details of the contract will not be released, and “Dinyero” is slated to make his Shine debut in early 2010.
An experienced veteran who has been professionally competing since 1998, Thomas is excited about the opportunity to join a growing promotion like Shine. “I signed my contract to fight, and I’m happy,” he stated simply.
He also made it clear who he wants to face first in his new home: “Now if [recent Shine addition and former world champion boxer Ricardo] Mayorga would just put the weed-eater down for a minute and scribble his name on the dots, we’d have a fight.”
A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with an impressive 24-8 record, “Dinyero” has gained twenty of his wins via stoppage, including fourteen by submission. He has faced some of the top lightweights in the world, including UFC fighter Caol Uno, current UFC Lightweight Champion B.J. Penn, recent Shine signee Luciano Azevedo, former UFC fighter Josh Neer, and recent title challenger Kenny Florian.
Thomas also holds impressive wins over some of the best in the sport, including UFC/PRIDE vet Dokonjonosuke Mishima, future Hall of Famer Jens Pulver, former UFC Welterweight Champion Matt Serra, former UFC fighter Rich Clementi, and current UFC fighters Clay Guida and Jeremy Stephens.
Thomas comes into Shine riding a two-fight win streak, including a dominant first-round TKO victory over Strikeforce veteran Gabe Lemley in March. He has also won five of his last seven fights dating back to 2006, which included a three-fight win streak in the UFC.
“Din is a world-class fighter, and we’re ecstatic to bring him on-board,” said Shine Fights matchmaker Ron Foster. “He’ll fit right in with the rest of our roster of exciting fighters.”
An opponent has not yet been determined for “Dinyero,” but he will likely make his debut on the main card of Shine Fights III, which is tentatively scheduled for March 2010.
There is almost no chance that Mayorga fights MMA