The oldest fighter on the roster currently, UFC welterweight Stephen Thompson, continued his exceptional UFC career giving the up-and-coming Gabriel Bonfim a shot at his ranking at UFC Nashville on Saturday night.
Thompson (17-8-1) has fought the who’s who at 170 pounds during his 13-year UFC run. He came into the fight on a two-fight skid dropping fights against Joaquin Buckley and Shavkat Rakhmonov, but remained ranked regardless. A possible crossroads in his career at UFC Nashville against the younger Bonfim would give insight into what is next for ‘Wonderboy’.
Bonfim (17-1) has been impressive in his UFC run thus far. With a 4-1 record the Brazilian believed a win over Thompson would get him into the rankings and close to a title shot in the stacked welterweight division.
Round 1 Thompson came out with his karate stance as always looking to use his length and athleticism against the younger Bonfim. Bonfim worked leg kicks immediately to punish the lead leg of Thompson’s.
Bonfim looked hesitant to open up against Thompson. He shot in for a single leg takedown and scored it then returned Thompson to the mat twice. He got on the back of Thompson’s for a few moments settling for a neck crank before he got shaken off the back.
Back to striking and Bonfim landed a nasty left hook which Thompson ate shortly before the round ended.
Round 2 Bonfim forgot his mouthpiece. Got it back and back at it. Thompson got back to his karate roots and sent a few side kicks up top not landing much. Bonfim found an angle he liked and shot in for a takedown which got stuffed. He put Thompson on the fence instead and they had a clinch war of sorts before Bonfim bailed.
Thompson tried a spinning heel kick up top, Bonfim ducked it and shot in for a takedown. Thompson got back to his feet. A shin clash split Thompson’s shin wide open, but he threw a head kick that landed and rocked Bonfim. He went off, but ran out of time.
Round 3 and Thompson is still throwing that split shin. Bonfim shot in for a takedown, but nothing came of it. A second shot was also stuffed, but Bonfim grabbed him and put him on the fence.
Thompson reversed the position and bailed on it. Bonfim shot in again and scored the takedown. Thompson worked over and over again to get back to his feet and was able to. Bonfim just wouldn’t let him go.
The fight ended on the fence.
Official Result: Gabriel Bonfim def. Stephen Thompson via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
