As Mario Pinto prepares for his next UFC bout, all eyes are on the Portuguese heavyweight when he faces Jhonata Diniz at UFC Fight Night 261 on October 11, 2025, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The 27-year-old enters the fight undefeated, riding the buzz of his early UFC debut and a solid record in European promotions. The matchup is particularly challenging as he faces Diniz in front of a passionate home crowd, adding extra pressure to perform on a big stage.

Pinto’s combination of knockout power and quick finishes has earned him a place among the heavyweight division’s most promising rising talents. So, as expected, fans want to find out more about him. Without further ado, let’s take a look at Mario Pinto’s origins, ethnicity, nationality, and the personal background that has shaped him into one of the most promising UFC prospects.

Is Mario Pinto Portuguese? Ethnicity & nationality

Mario Pinto was born on March 14, 1998, in Lisbon, Portugal, and holds Portuguese nationality. Representing Portugal in the UFC, Pinto consistently highlights his national identity while pursuing an international MMA career. The 27-year-old also has strong ties to British MMA and trains in London, reflecting a mix of European affiliations and showing his commitment to competing on a global scale.

Ethnically, Mario Pinto traces his roots to Guinea-Bissau, a former Portuguese colony in West Africa. This African heritage, paired with his upbringing in Portugal, highlights the multicultural nature of contemporary Portuguese identity.

Pinto’s background exemplifies how European and African histories overlap, influencing not only his personal identity but also his narrative as a fighter representing Portugal in the UFC. While the 27-year-old has not gone into great detail about his religious beliefs, there are signs of Christian faith in his life.

References to Christian scripture, such as Philippians 4:13, suggest that faith holds personal significance. Portugal is predominantly Roman Catholic, and while Pinto’s exact denomination is unknown, Christianity appears to have an influence.

Mario Pinto’s MMA career

Mario Pinto started his professional MMA career in 2021, competing primarily in European regional promotions. Known for his knockout power and aggressive style, he immediately established himself with quick finishes, winning the Levels Fight League heavyweight title. His early success laid a solid foundation, showcasing his striking abilities and establishing an undefeated record before entering the UFC.

Pinto made his UFC debut on March 1, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 253, against Austen Lane. The Portuguese won by knockout in just 39 seconds of the second round, demonstrating his precision, power, and composure on the world stage. The win established him as a rising star in the heavyweight division, capable of competing against top-level opponents.

As of October 2025, Mario Pinto had a 10-0 professional record, including six knockouts and one submission. However, it would be interesting to see how he fares against someone like Jhonata Diniz in front of his home crowd. Do you think he will be able to pull off a win at UFC Brazil? Let us know in the comments.