Gabriel Bonfim left the Bridgestone Enviornment enviornment in Nashville with a win over former UFC title contender Stephen Thompson, and he’s blissful along with his efficiency regardless of the backslash stemming from the judges’ name.
A number of MMA fighters called his split-decision win “trash”. Bonfim, nonetheless, mentioned he has already rewatched the match greater than a dozen occasions and feels assured he’s accomplished sufficient to win two of the three rounds.
“I received the primary and third rounds, clear,” Bonfim informed MMA Combating. “Who understands MMA, for those who watch the battle once more, you’ll see I received the primary and third rounds. Simple.”
“I had an incredible efficiency,” he continued. “That’s what we anticipated it could go. We all the time need a knockout, a fast submission, however as a substitute we had a three-round conflict. We had some sudden [things] within the second, however it’s a battle. We managed to get again and impose our sport. It’s laborious to hit him, he’s very quick and harmful, and you’ll’t make errors or he will get you.”
Bonfim mentioned he was assured that his arms can be raised as quickly because the match ended, barring some residence cooking from the judges in Tennessee.
“I used to be positive I had received the battle,” Bonfim mentioned. “I received the primary spherical and was successful the second, however he landed that head kick and stole the spherical. However the third spherical, I dominated it more often than not, put him on his ass 3 times, you understand? He landed two strikes, I landed two, so it was fairly clear who received. However I used to be in the US, his residence, so one thing may occur. I used to be a bit scared, however I used to be positive of the win.”
Now ranked within the prime 15 of the welterweight division after successful three in a row within the UFC over Ange Loosa, Khaos Williams and now “Wonderboy”, Bonfim has a goal in thoughts for his subsequent octagon look: Colby Covington.
The previous interim champion hasn’t fought since December 2024, when Joaquin Buckley stopped him within the fourth spherical. “Chaos” hasn’t received a bout in additional than three years now, beating Jorge Masvidal within the first quarter of 2022, and the Brazilian mentioned “I’d be blissful to beat him.”
“I don’t assume there’s anybody else for him to battle,” mentioned Bonfim, suggesting it for the upcoming UFC Combat Night time present in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Oct. 11 — however doubting he can be down for it. “Everyone is at present booked within the division, so I feel I’m the one one left. We are able to make it occur. I don’t assume he would come to Brazil. He’s not dumb [laughs]. He’d by no means do it.”
“I’d defend his takedowns, this little wrestling, and beat him loads on the ft, for positive,” he added. “If it’s three or 5 rounds, I’d beat him up loads and positively submit or knock him out.”
