Gabriel Bonfim broke into the welterweight rankings with a detailed break up choice win over Stephen Thompson within the UFC Nashville co-main occasion.
After a comparatively sluggish begin that noticed the 2 fighters commerce calf kicks, Bonfim lastly determined to shoot in for the primary takedown of the combat close to the midway level of the opening spherical.
Although he managed to get Thompson down momentarily, ‘Wonderboy’ popped proper again up and rapidly separated, bringing an finish to an extremely shut first 5 minutes.
Issues began equally within the second, although Bonfim didn’t wait practically as lengthy for a takedown, capturing in close to the 50-second mark of the stanza. Thompson continued to combat his approach again, prompting Bonfim to return to the calf kicks. At one level, ‘Wonderboy’ checked a leg kick that ended up busting his shin open.
Undeterred, Thompson unleashed a excessive kick that caught Bonfim clear and had the Brazilian on wobbly legs. Thompson swarmed in, searching for the kill shot, however Bonfim shot in for a desperation takedown and held on for pricey life till the second spherical got here to a detailed.
The third was one other shut affair, with the most important second coming by way of one other excessive kick from Thompson that Bonfim ate with ease.
Nonetheless, it was Bonfim’s grappling sport and management within the clinch through the third that appeared to make the distinction on the scorecards.
Official Consequence: Gabriel Bonfim def. Stephen Thompson by way of break up choice (28-29, 29-28, 29-28).
