Gabriel Bonfim scored the biggest win of his career in the UFC Nashville co-main event and will most likely find himself in the welterweight rankings. It doesn't come without controversy, however, as plenty of people felt his opponent, longtime UFC veteran and former welterweight title challenger Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson should have been given the judges' decision.
Thompson looked to keep his distance in the early part of the fight, aware of Bonfim's wrestling while looking to land his traditional striking. Bonfim scored a pair of takedowns halfway through the first, however, locking up a tight choke attempt on Thompson, but the veteran escaped.
After a bit of a striking battle in the early portion of the second round, Bonfim got to Thompson's back again and scored another takedown -- though it was brief before Thompson returned to the feet. Thompson got to break out of Bonfim's clinch a minute later and started to find his groove.
Bonfim would check a kick from Thompson, resulting in a really nasty gash. Thompson did land a head kick, however, stumbling Bonfim and stopping a takedown before the end of the round.
Bonfim looked to pressure Thompson in the third round, bringing him to the fence during the first minute. Thompson fought out of it and continued to throw with the cut leg. Thompson landed another strong head kick; however, Bonfim scored a pair of takedowns and used his grappling to control the action -- or lack of it as the fight was in its concluding stages.
Gabriel Bonfim Scores Narrow, Controversial Decision Over Stephen Thompson
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Bonfim, a 2022 alumnus of Dana White's Contender Series, is now 5-1 in the Octagon, including a three-fight win streak now, defeating Ange Loosa and Khaos Williams as well over the last year.
Thompson has now lost three straight and five of his last six.