Latest news with #GabrielBonfim
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Stephen Thompson vs Gabriel Bonfim Official for UFC Nashville Card
Stephen Thompson vs Gabriel Bonfim Official for UFC Nashville Card originally appeared on Athlon Sports. UFC Nashville is shaping up to be one of the summer's most action-packed cards. Scheduled for July 12 at Bridgestone Arena in Tennessee, the event is anchored by a heavyweight headliner featuring knockout artist Derrick Lewis taking on Brazil's towering powerhouse, Tallison Teixeira. As anticipation builds for that slugfest, the UFC has now added another compelling matchup to the lineup—one that could mark a career crossroads for a beloved veteran and a pivotal proving ground for a fast-rising prospect. Advertisement Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson 42, is set to face Gabriel 'Marretinha' Bonfim 27, from Brazil in a welterweight clash announced via the UFC's official X account. Thompson, once known for his elusive striking and karate-based style, is currently riding a two-fight skid, including a recent defeat to Joaquin Buckley at UFC 307. With questions looming about his future, this fight may very well determine if he remains a contender or fades into the background. Stephen ThompsonGetty Images On the other side, Bonfim enters the bout with momentum. After submitting Khaos Williams in his last outing, he extended his UFC record to 5-1, with his only loss coming to Nicolas Dalby in 2023. Gabriel BonfimGetty Images A win over a decorated name like Thompson could fast-track Bonfim into the division's top 15 and bolster his reputation as a legitimate force at 170 pounds. UFC CEO Dana WhitePhoto by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images UFC President Dana White continues his push to build strong summer lineups, and this latest welterweight matchup adds more depth, attention, and significance to an already exciting and competitive Nashville card that continues to gain momentum. Advertisement Related: 'He's Overrated' – Jon Jones Fires at Former UFC Interim Champion Related: UFC Veteran Teases Date for Heavily Pursued Conor McGregor Showdown This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Derrick Lewis Sends Explicit Message to Heavyweight Division
Derrick Lewis Sends Explicit Message to Heavyweight Division originally appeared on Athlon Sports. UFC Nashville is shaping up to deliver a summer spectacle on July 12 at the Bridgestone Arena. The card, already gaining momentum, recently added a high-stakes welterweight clash between Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson and Gabriel Bonfim, who is currently riding a two-fight winning streak. But while the spotlight may be shared, the centerpiece of the event remains a slugfest between two of the hardest-hitting heavyweights on the roster—one of whom isn't pulling punches outside the cage either. Advertisement Derrick Lewis, never shy with his words, had a few unfiltered thoughts about the state of the UFC's heavyweight division. In a candid conversation with MMA Junkie's Mike Bohn, Lewis admitted the booking didn't come easy: 'I damn near had to beg to get this fight, you know. So, I don't know what's going on. Hopefully we can stay active after this.' But it was his next few comments that turned heads. Frustrated by callouts and perceived disrespect, Lewis suggested a wild deterrent: 'I think what I need to start doing now, once I knock guys out, is start putting my finger in their a**. You know, people don't want to call me out afterwards.' He doubled down, adding: 'If I start putting my finger in my opponent's a** while they knocked out on the ground, I don't think nobody want to call me out anymore.' Derrick LewisPhoto by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC And finally, with signature flair: 'No diddy.' Though outrageous, Lewis's irritation isn't without cause. The heavyweight division remains in limbo, with no clear resolution on whether Jon Jones will retire or if Dana White and the UFC plan to strip him of the title. Until then, fighters like Lewis are left navigating uncertainty while trying to stay active in a stalled division. Dana White UFC(Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) His upcoming bout against the undefeated Tallison Teixeira should be a solid clash, offering a chance to make a definitive statement in a murky title picture. Advertisement Related: Legal Storm Intensifies Around BJ Penn, New Developments Emerge: Report Related: UFC Makes Announcement About Nashville Card This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC on ESPN 70: Stephen Thompson draws rising welterweight Gabriel Bonfim in Nashville
UFC on ESPN 70: Stephen Thompson draws rising welterweight Gabriel Bonfim in Nashville Stephen Thompson will look to shut down a welterweight prospect at UFC on ESPN 70. Former title challenger Thompson (17-7-1 MMA, 12-7-1 UFC) takes on Gabriel Bonfim (17-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) on July 12 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, promotion officials announced Friday. Thompson is coming off back-to-back stoppage losses to top contenders Shavkat Rakhmonov and Joaquin Buckley. "Wonderboy" has lost four of his past five fights. His lone win in that stretch coming over Kevin Holland in December 2022. After suffering his first career loss to Nicolas Dalby in November 2023, Brazil's Bonfim rebounded with back-to-back wins over Ange Loosa, then a bonus-winning submission of Khaos Williams at UFC Fight Night 251 in February. The latest UFC Nashville lineup includes:
USA Today
17-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Gabriel Bonfim revels in status as first to finish Khaos Williams at UFC Fight Night 251
LAS VEGAS – Gabriel Bonfim beat Khaos Williams with a second-round technical submission Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC Fight Night 251 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Take a look inside the fight with Bonfim, who has 16 of his 17 wins by stoppage, including 13 submissions. Gabriel Bonfim def. Khaos Williams Result: Gabriel Bonfim def. Khaos Williams via technical submission (D'Arce choke) – Round 2, 4:58 Updated records: Bonfim (17-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC), Williams (15-4 MMA, 6-3 UFC) Key stats: Bonfim had four takedowns before he finally was able to put Williams to sleep. Bonfim on the fight's key moment 'I use a lot of my jabs to keep the distance and be able to close the distance, as well, to get the submission. But that was the actual game plan. I have the submissions right now (on my resume), but I'm trying to implement the boxing in MMA right now, and that's why it's happening. It's helping me to get the wins.' Bonfim on being the first to finish Williams 'I like the performance because of everything that happened in the first and the second rounds leading up to the submission, and I hope I get the bonus.' Bonfim on what he wants next 'I'm gonna take a week, Maybe, but I want to go back to training. I want to fight soon. (I don't care who I fight) – any fighters in the top 10 or top 15.' To hear more from Bonfim, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above. For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC Fight Night 251. Gallery UFC Fight Night 251: Best photos from Las Vegas View 111 photos
USA Today
16-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC Fight Night 251: Second straight rare submission for Valter Walker snubbed for $50,000
The UFC handed out four bonuses after Saturday's card, but snubbed a rare finish on the prelims. After UFC Fight Night 251, four fighters picked up an extra $50,000 for their performances in Las Vegas. Check out the winners below. Performance of the Night: Gabriel Bonfim Gabriel Bonfim def. Khaos Williams via technical submission (D'Arce choke) – Round 2, 4:58 Gabriel Bonfim (17-1 MMA, 4-1UFC) continued to assert himself as one of the slickest submission artists in the welterweight division when he expertly choked Khaos Williams (15-4 MMA, 6-3 UFC) unconscious with a D'Arce. The finish came with just two seconds left in the second round and it gave Bonfim 16 of his 17 wins by stoppage – including 13 submissions. Performance of the Night: Edmen Shahbazyan Edmen Shahbazyan def. Dylan Budka via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:35 Edmen Shahbazyan (14-5 MMA, 7-5 UFC) said he worked on slipping past a Dylan Budka (7-5 MMA, 0-3 UFC) jab to go underneath with a right hand just before walking out. Shahbazyan landed what they hoped for, Budka went on wobbly legs and hit the canvas, and Shahbazyan had has 12th first-round finish in 14 fights. Fight of the Night: Jared Cannonier def. Gregory Rodrigues Jared Cannonier def. Gregory Rodrigues via TKO (punches) – Round 4, 0:21 In his eighth UFC main event, Jared Cannonier (18-8 MMA, 11-8 UFC) rallied from a rough first round to put Gregory Rodrigues (16-6 MMA, 7-3 UFC) into danger at the end of the third. And just a few seconds into the fourth, he took him out for a TKO. Gallery UFC Fight Night 251: Best photos from Las Vegas View 108 photos
