Determined to snap a two-fight losing skid, Stephen Thompson returned to the co-main event spotlight at UFC Nashville for a high-stakes scrap against submission specialist Gabriel Bonfim.
4-1 in his first five promotional appearances, Bonfim is seeking the biggest win of his mixed martial arts career and a spot in the welterweight top 15.
Round 1
Thompson and Bonfim get things started by trading leg kicks in the center of the Octagon. Aside from that, both fighters were content to spend the first few minutes of the round downloading information on one another. As we approach the halfway point of the opening round, Bonfim shoots in for a takedown. Bonfim lifts ‘Wonderboy’ up at the waist and slams him to the mat, immediately taking his back in the process. Bonfim looks to cinch in a rear-naked choke against the fence, but Thompson fights his way out and gets on top.
Bonfim works his way back and separates after some work in the clinch. The round ends just as it started, with the fighters trading kicks.
Round 2
After a brief exchange of kicks, Bonfim shot in for another single-leg takedown 50 seconds into the second. Thompson managed to stay upright this time, forcing Bonfim to give up on the attempt and separate. Bonfim fires a right hand, but ‘Wonderboy’ evades, circling away to the right. Bonfim shoots again, but Thompson sees it coming and sprawls. Undeterred, Bonfim moves in again, getting hold of Thompson’s back. Thompson stays upright against the fence and works on separating Bonfrim’s hands.
Before long, Thompson gets free from Bonfim and lands a big kick. Bonfim responds with a right hand that knocks ‘Wonderboy’ back against the fence. Bonfim throws a calf kick, and Thompson checks it, opening up a nasty gash on his left shin. Thompson throws a high kick with the same leg that catches Bonfim clean. Bonfim is on wobbly legs as Thompson moves in looking for the kill shot. Bonfim shoots for a desperation takedown, riding out the final few seconds of the round.
Round 3
Bonfim wastes no time closing the distance and digging in for a takedown in the third. Bonfim throws a couple of short kicks, intentionally targeting the gash on Thompson’s shin. Still, Thompson throws his kicks without hesitation. Thompson lands a sidekick to the body. Bonfim moves in and clinches up, drawing boos from the live crowd. ‘Wonderboy’ reverses position and separates halfway through the round.
Thompson throws a spin kick that’s just out of range. Thompson throws another high kick that connects, but Bonfim eats it and fires back with a right hand. Bonfim gets in deep on a takedown attempt and gets Thompson down to a knee. Bonfim trips him down, but Thompson continues to pop right back up. Bonfim goes for one final takedown as the final seconds approach, but ‘Wonderboy’ stays upright, and the fight ends with them clinched up against the cage wall.
Official Result: Gabriel Bonfim def. Stephen Thompson via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28).
Check Out Highlights From Stephen Thompson vs. Gabriel Bonfim at UFC Nashville:
A man of the people 😄@WonderboyMMA | #UFCNashville pic.twitter.com/Z8LhmkGrrR
— UFC (@ufc) July 13, 2025
Stephen Thompson s’est ouvert le tibia sur un kick 😳#UFCNashvillepic.twitter.com/GScVVszIre
— La Sueur (@LaSueur_off) July 13, 2025
Gabriel Bonfim defeats Stephen Thompson by split decision 😳 #UFCNashville pic.twitter.com/HoT85W0SJ0
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 13, 2025
