Gabriel Bonfim expects to insert his identify within the record of future UFC title challengers when he beats former welterweight contender Stephen Thompson within the co-main occasion of UFC Nashville.
Bonfim was provided the most important combat of his MMA profession after choking out Khaos Williams in February, a efficiency that earned him a $50,000 bonus, and stated he feels “honored” to be going through a “legend” of the game on July 12.
“He has a lovely historical past within the UFC,” Bonfim informed MMA Preventing. “He’s had many wars and fought for the title, and I’ve the respect of combating him now. I used to look at him combat and love his fashion, and now I see myself combating him. That’s so cool. I’m very proud of that.”
Bonfim has referred to as for a ranked opponent previously however admits he didn’t count on ‘Wonderboy” to be the one. That being stated, Bonfim loves it from a stylistic viewpoint.
“What he has is placing,” Bonfim stated. “His floor is like, zero. He has good defenses, sure, however I consider that’s what he’s anticipating, me to commerce on the ft a little bit bit and already take him down. And it’s going to be completely different. I’ll commerce a bit with him, discover my distance, and I’ll dominate the combat each on the ft and on the bottom.”
Thompson is a adorn striker with almost half his MMA wins by the use of knockout, together with stoppages over Robert Whittaker, Johny Hendricks and Jake Ellenberger. These finishes occurred almost a decade in the past, nevertheless, and he has gained solely 4 of 10 MMA bouts since arising quick in UFC title bouts with Tyron Woodley in 2016 and 2017.
“The sport matches up nicely for me,” Bonfim stated. “He’s superb in placing, very quick, strikes rather a lot and hits onerous, however I come from boxing and have nice placing, I positively gained’t disappoint, however I’ve a greater path with grappling. Take him down and use my luta livre. I consider he’s anticipating that. However I’ll transfer rather a lot and use feints. I’ll additionally commerce with him if I can, or I can take him down and catch him.”
Bonfim likes Thompson’s method to the sport in a way that he’s very well mannered and respectful, however that doesn’t change the very fact he desires to fold him contained in the octagon.
“Once we’re within the octagon, we now have a job to do,” Bonfim stated. “I’ll do my greatest and he’ll do his greatest, and I consider I’ll come out with the victory. Thompson is excellent, very versatile and strikes rather a lot. He’s onerous to combat with, however my second has come. I consider this combat places me nearer to the belt, which is my purpose. Sadly, I’ll need to get him out of the rankings with that.”
