With Gabriel Bonfim earning a submission win on the UFC Vegas 102 preliminary card, it was Ismael Bonfim looking to make it a perfect night for the Brazilian brothers as he took on Nazim Sadykhov later in the night.
The Bonfim brothers both remained highly touted prospects, as was lightweight Sadykhov, who had yet to taste defeat in the UFC and was coming off a draw with “Slava Claus” a.k.a. Viacheslav Borshchev.
The ending Ismael Bonfim had hoped for wasn’t to be, however.
Bonfim found some success with his right hand in the opening round as the lightweight pair went back and forth in the stand-up department. The Brazilian appeared to have found his range and comfort zone first; Sadykhov was able to fire off kicks and counter, but often, Bonfim was already gone by the time those counters arrived. Bonfim would burst forward with his attacks, forcing Sadykhov to retreat back to the fence. Late in the round, however, Sadykov would finally connect with a question mark kick, hurting Bonfim and going on the attack. Sadykhov would end up tying up Bonfim along the fence, giving him some recovery time. A cut had opened under the Brazilian’s right eye, the most significant damage of the round.
Between rounds, Bonfim apparently said the wrong thing to the doctor, who has checking on his vision, bringing about an end to the fight and handing Sadykhov a TKO victory.
Official Result: Nazim Sadykhov def. Ismael Bonfim by TKO (doctor’s stoppage), Round 1, 5:00
