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)

The post Gabriel Bonfim Battles With Thompson, Grinds Out Split Win appeared first on Cageside Press.

Landwehr (18-6) is known for his ‘kill or be killed’ fight style which has made him a crowd favorite. It has also put him in tough spots coming off a TKO loss to Doo Ho Choi at UFC 310. 5-4 in the UFC Landwehr was aware this bout was a big deal for him even without a losing streak.

Charriere (20-11-1) is one of the more promising 145ers on the roster regardless of his 2-2 UFC record. Still coming off a loss to Nathaniel Wood the Frenchman hoped to get back into the win column in enemy territory against Landwehr.

Round 1 Landwehr met Charriere in the middle and they began to trade calf kicks early and often. The Frenchman would throw kicks to get Landwehr’s attention to that area and then throw heavy 1-2s up top. Landwehr was wise to it.

Landwehr was very much working forward and back and eating a ton of calf kicks. It was very clear that his left calf was badly damaged, but he wasn’t about to let that stop him at home. Charriere got the takedown, but Landwehr was able to pop right back up.

Charriere continued his wrestling attack shooting for takedowns, getting them, but Landwehr finding his way back up to his feet over and over.

Round 2 Landwehr took it to Charriere early with the latter seemingly a bit tired from all the grappling in the first round. Landwehr put volume on him, and Charriere was forced to try to match him.

Landwehr took a shot to the groin and got real mad when the ref stopped the action. When the fight continued he threw a home run right hand, missed everything, but he mean mugged Charriere for a second.

Charriere tried to keep the fight technical, but Landwehr wasn’t having it. The American looked to make this a brawl as soon as possible.

Round 3 Charriere had enough. Landwehr went after him with big shots, and Charriere made him pay with massive shots up top finishing the hometown fighter in the third round.

The Last Pirate has arrived.

Official Result: Morgan Charriere def. Nate Landwehr via R3 TKO, 0:27

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Tafa (6-3) fights at 205 in the UFC for the first time during his promotional run. After dropping three bouts at heavyweight with his lone win coming over Parker Porter in 2023 the move to 205 seems like the right one former kick boxer. He came into UFC Nashville off a TKO victory over Sean Sharaf last October.

Tokkos (10-5) was in need of a win after dropping his last two against Oumar Sy and Navajo Stirling. He fought for his first UFC win against Tafa on Saturday.

Round 1 Tafa came out trying to leave dents on Tokkos. His opponent felt that and went in for a single leg takedown dealing with elbows to the head until he got Tafa down. Tafa was able to get to his feet, Tokkos shot in for a single and ate a bunch of elbows, but got the takedown.

Tafa got back to his feet and threatened a ninja choke, but the angle was wrong. He bailed on it landing nasty elbows to the head, but Tokkos got him down once again anyway. Tuco took the back on the ground with a minute left in the round.

Tuco ended up in mount and landed some shots, but Tafa was able get top position and finished the round with some big shots including one that cut Tokkos.

Round 2 Tafa came out with some bad intentions putting it on Tokkos landing massive shots and hurting him. Tafa forced him to stand, and landed on him again, but Tokkos was able to get him back down and control the position.

Tokkos continued to dominate the position and landed some ground and pound. He switched between ground and pound and looking for a submission through the round.

Tokkos finally got the arm triangle submission he was looking for and forced the submission. Tuco Tokkos gets his first UFC victory.

Official Result: Tuco Tokkos def. Junior Tafa via R2 SUB (Arm Triangle), 4:25

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Nzechukwu (14-5) came into the fight in Nashville off two consecutive victories on pay-per-view cards. Violent finishes over Chris Barnett and Lukasz Brzeski set up a date with Walker on Saturday night.

Walker (13-1) also enjoyed a two-fight win streak with finishes over Junior Tafa and Don’Tale Mayes. The brother of light heavyweight Johnny Walker he’s won his last two bouts via heel hook.

With the heavyweight division wide open Nzechukwu and Walker could make a statement with a definitive finish at UFC Nashville.

Round 1 Walker came out like a man possessed looking to land bombs on Nzechukwu. Nzechukwu had a smile on his face like he expected this, but he found himself defending a takedown pretty quickly.

Walker played like he wanted the back take, slipped off and right into a heel hook which he torqued hard and forced Nzechukwu tapped.

Another one for the UFC’s heavyweight heel hook king Valter Walker. He took the mic from Daniel Cormier and gave his post-fight interview in three languages. What a character.

Official Result: Valter Walker def. Kennedy Nzechukwu via R1 SUB (Heel Hook), 0:54

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Ramirez (8-2) a long layoff of over a year following a tough loss in March 2024 against Thiago Moises. The Contender Series alumn looked for his first UFC victory against Davis in Nashville.

Davis (11-3) was coming off a loss to Fares Ziam in February which snapped a 4-fight win streak. Tough luck in the injury department has effectively brought his UFC career to a creep having withdrawn from a number of bouts. A victory over Ramirez would be the first step towards building momentum back.

Round 1 Davis came out with a ton of pressure forcing Ramirez to go for a takedown, but no good. Davis shots in for one of his own, lifted and dumped Ramirez, and then took hs back.

Right away the arm was under the chin and Ramirez was fighting the choke arm. Ramirez kept his composure, but Davis continued to work to get a full body triangle. Ramirez was able to get the choking arm out from under his neck, but Davis stayed on the back.

Ramirez did a good job of defending the submission attempts and the position. He tried repeatedly to get back to his feet, but Davis did well to keep him in place in the position.

The rest of the round was all a game of chess between Davis fishing for the neck and Ramirez defending and trying to change the position. Ramirez survived the round.

Round 2 Ramirez came out like a man possessed going for the takedown, but then bailing on it and landing bombs on Davis. Ramirez looked like he had the speed advantage, but Davis’ timing worked well for him landing clean shots.

Davis kept his composure and landed very accurate and damaging shots. Compared to Ramirez’s high volume attack it paid off with cleaner shots.

A flying knee from Davis put Ramirez on skates, and Davis finished the job with a flurry of shots that dropped his opponent and ended the fight.

Mike Davis got back in the win column.

Official Result: Mike Davis def. Mitch Ramirez via R2 TKO, 4:08

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“Wonderboy’s a guy who I watched fight when I actually started in MMA. So I used to watch him and he was already a legend,” Bonfim told reporters through a translator on Wednesday.

“To see him as my opponent, fight him, it’s amazing. It’s a great feeling to actually be able to fight against him.”

Bonfim (17-1) comes into the fight with a 4-1 UFC record with his only loss against Nicolas Dalby in 2023. Since then he’s collected two consecutive victories, but a win over Wonderboy might be what puts him into the title picture.

“I think two wins against top names. Renowned names. I think that can take me to a title shot,” he said.

“A dream come true. A dream that’s becoming a reality. I never thought in my life that I would be fighting Wonderboy. Very happy, and very grateful for the opportunity that the UFC has given me.”

Watch the entire media day scrum with Gabriel Bonfim above. He takes on Stephen Thompson at UFC Nashville on Saturday night.

The post Gabriel Bonfim Never Thought He’d Get Wonderboy Fight appeared first on Cageside Press.

“Oh yeah man the crowd is going to be little bit more home feeling. Punches is going to be a little bit more straight from the Earth,” Landwehr told reporters on Wednesday.

“We both coming off losses so one of us is going to lose twice, and one of us is bouncing back, and I’m going to be the one to bounce back this Saturday. That’s the mission.”

Landwehr (18-6) loves the hometown advantage that he’ll have on Saturday night. To him it’s about more than just himself though.

“Could have been on Mars, could have been on the Moon. It just means a little bit more than my fans don’t have to travel thousands of miles and spend hundreds of dollars. They can drive in, see the show, and drive out,” he said.

Hometown feel, coming off a loss, Landwehr changes nothing with his mindset. To him it’s still war.

“The mindset, it hasn’t changed, my mind’s a steel trap. I’ve been all over the world and Saturday night it’s a fist fight,” he said.

“Plain and simple.”

Watch the entire media day scrum with Nate Landwehr above. He faces Morgan Charriere at UFC Nashville on Saturday night.

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“Yeah, man, so a lot of people don’t know this, but that was a very emotional fight for me. My stepdad, who I consider my real dad, he raised me, that Monday of fight week, he got in a very serious ski accident,” Lane explained “Ended up breaking his skull in five spots, broke his spine, broke his neck, and broke his heel as well. So he didn’t wake up till Thursday, and there was talks like whether he’s gonna wake up or not.”

Despite all of that, Lane would continue on with the fight. Not only that, but he came out hot in the first – dropping Mario Pinto and having him on the edge of a TKO finish. With that early success though came a strong desire to get out of there.

“What it came down to is, I was trying to get out of there as quickly as possible. So when I dropped him in that first round, it was just literally like a really quick right, zero power behind it,” he said. “But I was surprised that it dropped him just because he had his hands up and everything. I’m like, okay. So as long as I connect, it’s gonna be over.”

After getting to his corner in between rounds, his coaches warned him against being too eager. They reminded him that Pinto was likely to be looking to get that round back and to come out swinging wild. Even with coaches telling him that information, he didn’t necessarily hear all of it.

“I heard it, but for whatever reason, man, in that moment, and I take pride in being very present, I wasn’t present. I didn’t listen to my coaches. So when you reflect on that – the preparation was there, the training was there, it was just me not executing,” Lane said. “And whether it was just the mental things that I was going through, whether it was just me not listening, whatever the case may be, I thought outside myself and I can’t do that.”

With a much less stressful fight camp and fight week this time, Lane has focused in on fixing the mental side of things. And he’s excited to once again put on for the fans.

“Obviously a big focus of this camp now is, you know, being sound, being present at all times,” he said. “And I’m very excited to showcase what I’ve learned.”

Lane will get a chance to show what he’s learned as part of the UFC Nashville main card. He fights Vitor Petrino on ESPN+ with that portion of the card beginning at 9pm EST this Saturday.

The post UFC Nashville’s Austen Lane: Being Present appeared first on Cageside Press.

“The whole situation was pretty wild… when I went to Singapore, I went in that fight with a fractured collarbone. And it was during the COVID period. My wife had lost her job,” Garcia explained. ” I had just gotten in the UFC. I’m trying to figure out how to get these wins going and stuff like that. So I kind of felt like I was kind of forced to do it, and I did it.”

That fight with Maheshate would end with Garcia being knocked out in the very first round, dropping his record to 1-2. In was a low point in his career and one that ended up being a turning point for him.

“I remember sitting on that bench thinking I lost my job, and I was just so disappointed in myself. I was disappointed in the situation. I talked to my manager, and he says, ‘you know what, man?’ He says, ‘we’re going to figure this out,”‘ he recalled. “He [called me back], ‘all right, well, we got Chase Hooper’. I’m like, okay, great. I love that name because, honestly, he has a big name, a big following.”

The call for one more fight was a bit of a surprise for Garcia, but it came with a caveat. He would have to return to featherweight, where he had previously competed on the regional scene. However, he recognizes this as the moment his career got truned around.

He would go on to knock out Chase Hooper and would follow that up with four more consecutive knockouts.

“The silver lining behind that whole thing was, when I thought I was at the worst part of my life and my career, it was the best thing that happened for me because I was able to make the adjustments. I healed up,” Garcia explained. “I made the move to 145 and look at us now. We’re knocking in the rankings and we’ve been killing it.”

Garcia looks to move into the featherweight rankings with another knock out. He’ll get that chance at UFC Nashville against Calvin Kattar as part of the main card. That portion of the card starts at 9pm EST and airs on EPSN+.

You can hear the entire interview with Steve Garcia on the latest edition of the Top Turtle MMA Podcast. The interview airs at 1:48.

The post UFC Nashville’s Steve Garcia Shares Turning Point in His Career appeared first on Cageside Press.

Thompson (17-8-1) has never been one to turn a fight down in order to avoid a loss. Other fighters gave him the same shot that he’s now giving Bonfim.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for the guys like Jake Ellenberger and Johny Hendricks, Rory McDonald, giving somebody like myself who was lower ranked a shot at coming up,” Thompson told reporters on Wednesday.

“It’s kind of getting a little popular. You’re seeing a lot of fighters trying to hold onto their rankings. I’ve always been the type of guy to kind of give those up and coming guys a chance. I did with Vicente Luque, Geoff Neal, Kevin Holland. So I don’t mind it at all.”

Earlier in the day Bonfim told reporters that he grew up watching Thompson fight. Thompson loved the gesture from his opponent.

“It keeps me fresh, keeps me on my toes for sure, and give these guys who are lower ranked a chance to come up and prove themselves,” he said.

“That is why I do what I do. I got 600 kids back home watching every move that I make. It’s even cooler to have fighters in the UFC knowing that I had an influence in them or in some way influence them to make this their career. That’s cool to hear that Bonfim watched me growing up. Makes me feel old at the same time, but it’s cool at the same time.”

Watch the entire media day scrum with Stephen Thompson above. He takes on Gabriel Bonfim at UFC Nashville on Saturday night.

The post Stephen Thompson Not One To Avoid Fights To Protect Ranking appeared first on Cageside Press.