A promising Contender Series alum will look to return to the win column in a lightweight bout at UFC Sao Paulo this November.
Ismael Bonfim (19-4) will look to bounce back from a loss to Benoit Saint-Denis when he takes on veteran Vinc Pichel (14-3) at the Sao Paulo card on November 4, 2023.
News of the booking was first reported by MMA Junkie, with Pichel confirming the news on social media. Pichel even got a little poetic, writing “The 4th of November. Not a day he’ll enjoy, But it’s one you’ll remember!”
Pichel, 40, actually has fewer pro fights than Bonfim, but lost a large chunk of time from his career dealing with injury. The California native had a three-fight win streak snapped in his last bout, a decision loss against Mark O. Madsen.
Bonfim, who joined the UFC alongside brother Gabriel, won his promotional debut against Terrance McKinney prior to coming up short against Saint-Denis. The Brazilian remains a top tier prospect however, and has just hit his prime at age 27.
UFC Sao Paulo will take place at the Ibirapuera Gymnasium with heavyweights Curtis Blaydes and Jailton Almeida headlining. The following match-ups have been reported for the event:
- Curtis Blaydes vs. Jailton Almeida
- Eduarda Moura vs. So Yul Kim
- Gabriel Bonfim vs. Nicolas Dalby
- Elves Brenner vs. Esteban Ribovics
- Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos vs. Rinat Fakhretdinov
- Angela Hill vs. Denise Gomes
- Rodrigo Nascimento vs. Don’Tale Mayes
- Vitor Petrino vs. Modestas Bukauskas
- Caio Borralho vs. Nursulton Ruziboev
- Rodolfo Vieira vs. Armen Petrosyan
- Daniel Santos vs. Daniel Marcos
- Ismael Bonfim vs. Vinc Pichel
