East Providence's Paiva steps back into MMA octagon

"Sweetbread" seeks fourth consecutive win during CES 48

By Mike Rego
Posted 1/26/18

EAST PROVIDENCE — City resident Dinis “Sweetbread” Paiva steps back into the octagon Friday night, Feb. 2, as part of the CES MMA 48 card at Twin River Casino in Lincoln, seeking his fourth …

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East Providence's Paiva steps back into MMA octagon

"Sweetbread" seeks fourth consecutive win during CES 48

East Providence's Dinis "Sweetbread" Paiva seeks his fourth consecutive win at CES MMA 48.
East Providence's Dinis "Sweetbread" Paiva seeks his fourth consecutive win at CES MMA 48.
Posted

EAST PROVIDENCE — City resident Dinis “Sweetbread” Paiva steps back into the octagon Friday night, Feb. 2, as part of the CES MMA 48 card at Twin River Casino in Lincoln, seeking his fourth consecutive win.

Paiva, 29 and usually a bantamweight (135 pounds), moves up a division to featherweight (145) when he squares off against Kevin Barberena, a 27-year-old Minnesotan, making his CES MMA debut.

Both fighters actually enter the contest on similar winning streaks. Paiva (10-6-0) has won his last three fights, two by knockout. Barberena has also won his last three bouts, each by submission. A wild fire firefighter by trade, Barberena comes to Rhode Island with a 5-3-0 record.

“He comes from a wrestling background,” Paiva, a seven-year pro, said of his 5-foot-7 opponent. “I think he’s a well-rounded fighter. I don’t see him hurting me too much on his feet. He seems to be a grinder. I’ve got nothing but respect for the guy. He’s coming into enemy territory, and he knows it.”

The 5’9” Paiva, whose family has operated “O’Dinis” Restaurant on Warren Avenue in city for 24 years, has fought his entire seven-year professional career under the CES MMA umbrella. Besides his win streak, “Sweatbread” has won seven of his last eight fights total: five by KO, one by submission and one via decision.

A former decorated wrestler, Paiva was a 140-pound Massachusetts All-Stater at New Bedford High School during his senior season in 2006, also earning All-America accolades that same year. Though he can grapple on the mat, “Sweetbread” said he prefers to stay upright, leaning more on his pugilistic skills.

“I was a boxer before I was a wrestler,” Paiva added. “I call it, ‘fist to face.’ I can go to my wrestling moves, but I consider myself a striker. I like to be on my feet.”

The heavyweight championship bout between Travis Wiuff and Providence’s Greg Rebello is the main event of the evening. The rest of the CES MMA 48 card includes: Tim Caron vs. Timothy Woods; Dylan Lockard vs. Shane Manley; Brian Marino vs. Jerome Mickle; Yorgan De Castro vs. J.D. Tyrell; Quentin Gaskins vs. Brendon Marotte; Hilarie Rose vs. Linsey Williams; Fabio Cherant vs. James Dysard; Tommy Davis vs. Armus Guyton.

The card, an all-ages event, begins at 7 p.m. All bouts are subject to change.

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A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.