Gabriel Bonfim walked away from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville with a split-decision victory against former UFC title contender Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, sparking mixed reactions from fans and fighters alike. Despite some labeling the judges’ decision as questionable, Bonfim firmly believes his performance earned him the win, maintaining confidence as he rewatched the fight multiple times.

Bonfim’s Perspective on the Fight and Judges’ Verdict

Bonfim insisted that he clearly won two rounds, stating,

“I won the first and third rounds, clean,”

to MMA Fighting. He explained,

“Who understands MMA, if you watch the fight again, you’ll see I won the first and third rounds. Easy.”

While hoping for a decisive finish, Bonfim reflected on the intensity of the match, saying,

“That’s what we expected it would go. We always want a knockout, a quick submission, but instead we had a three-round war.”

He acknowledged the challenges of facing Thompson, a fast and dangerous opponent, adding,

“We had some unexpected [things] in the second, but it’s a fight. We managed to get back and impose our game. It’s hard to hit him, he’s very fast and dangerous, and you can’t make mistakes or he gets you.”

Bonfim also shared his initial certainty about winning before the judges’ decision, explaining,

“I was sure I had won the fight. I won the first round and was winning the second, but he landed that head kick and stole the round. But the third round, I dominated it most of the time, put him on his ass three times, you know? He landed two strikes, I landed two, so it was pretty clear who won. But I was in the United States, his home, so something could happen. I was a bit scared, but I was sure of the win.”

Rising in the Welterweight Rankings, Bonfim Eyes a High-Profile Fight

With three consecutive victories in the UFC welterweight division—including wins over Ange Loosa, Khaos Williams, and now Stephen Thompson—Bonfim has moved into the top 15 rankings. His next target is former interim welterweight champion Colby Covington, who has struggled to find success in recent years and hasn’t competed since December 2024.

Bonfim Challenges Colby Covington Ahead of UFC Rio Event

Bonfim expressed eagerness to face Covington, noting,

“I would be happy to beat him.”

He highlighted the scarcity of potential opponents for Covington, stating,

“I don’t think there’s anyone else for him to fight,”

and suggested making the fight happen at the UFC Fight Night in Rio de Janeiro on October 11. However, Bonfim doubted that Covington would accept the challenge on Brazilian soil, saying,

“Everybody is currently booked in the division, so I think I’m the only one left. We can make it happen. I don’t think he would come to Brazil. He’s not dumb [laughs]. He’d never do it.”

Detailing how he would approach the fight, Bonfim confidently declared,

“I would defend his takedowns, this little wrestling, and beat him a lot on the feet, for sure. If it’s three or five rounds, I’d beat him up a lot and definitely submit or knock him out.”

The Significance of This Challenge for Welterweight Division Dynamics

Bonfim’s contentious win and his outspoken challenge to Colby Covington underline his growing presence in the UFC welterweight scene. By targeting a former interim champion, Bonfim is signaling his intent to climb higher in the rankings and secure marquee matchups. Should the bout with Covington materialize, the fight could add new excitement to a division where many fighters are currently booked, offering fans a fresh and intense rivalry to follow.