Bonfim Grinds Out Split Decision Victory Against Wonderboy Thompson. In a tactical three-round battle at UFC Nashville, Bonfim used pressure and clinch work to edge out the veteran striker. Thompson showed flashes of his signature style, but Bonfim’s control proved just enough to earn the split decision win.
On Saturday night, July 12, the co-main event of UFC Nashville brought together two fighters from different chapters of their careers. Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, the veteran striker with a legacy of elegance and precision, faced off against Brazil’s rising star Gabriel “Marretinha” Bonfim, known for his aggressive grappling and fast finishes. The result was a clinic in timing and experience as Bonfim earned a split decision against Thompson.
Stephen Thompson entered the Octagon with critics questioning his future. Leading up to the Nashville event, Thompson had endured a rocky run with four losses in his last five fights. His most crushing defeat came at UFC 307 in October 2024, where Joaquin Buckley knocked him out cold with a powerful right hand.
For Gabriel Bonfim, UFC Nashville was meant to be a launching pad. At just 27 years old, he had already gained a reputation as one of Brazil’s top welterweight prospects, entering the co-main event with a UFC record of 17-1-0. His UFC debut at UFC 283 saw him submit Mounir Lazzez in under a minute via guillotine choke. He followed that up with another slick first-round submission of Trevin Giles at UFC 291. In July 2024, he went the distance for the first time, earning a unanimous decision over Ange Loosa, and then submitted Khaos Williams with a D’arce choke in February 2025 at UFC Vegas 102.
The two fighters entered the octagon in Nashville on Saturday, July 12 to deliver an unforgettable experience for their fans. Bonfim made his way into the Octagon first, excited and full of energy. One could tell he was ready to risk it all and chase the win. Then came Thompson, calm and collected, rocking white shorts. Even before the referee gave the signal, both fighters touched gloves, a sign of mutual respect. They started warming up quickly.
Thompson was the first to make a move, firing off a leg kick. Bonfim immediately answered with one of his own. They kept trading leg kicks back and forth. Bonfim went for another low kick but nearly lost his balance, almost hitting the mat. He recovered fast, landed a clean punch, and shot in for a takedown, which he nailed while still pinning Thompson up against the cage.
Bonfim was in control early, smothering Thompson’s attempts to get up. But Thompson eventually broke free, reversed the position briefly, and landed some solid shots of his own, even getting Bonfim to the ground. Still, Bonfim bounced back and fired off a punch that had the commentators buzzing.
Round two kicked off with another glove touch. Thompson again made the first move with a leg kick, and Bonfim fired one back. Bonfim tried to sweep Thompson off his feet, but Thompson shook it off and circled back to the center. They started trading punches, and Bonfim landed a heavy shot that nearly dropped Thompson. Thompson tried to return the favor with a takedown setup via a leg kick, but Bonfim saw it coming, dodged, and pressed him back to the cage.
Then Thompson landed a leg kick that got a big reaction from the crowd. Bonfim kept the pressure, landing more punches that sent Thompson to the mat again. The action was heating up as the second round wound down. Thompson threw another leg kick, but this time, it backfired, he got injured and ended up with a cut on one of his legs..
Round three came, and the fighters shared a respectful hug before going back to war. Early in the round, they were clinched up against the cage, but reset back to the center. Bonfim pressed forward again, pinning Thompson to the fence. Thompson’s leg now visibly bleeding. Thompson attempted a takedown, but Bonfim stuffed it. Then Thompson managed to flip the position and pressed Bonfim against the cage, only for Bonfim to reverse it right back.
Thompson stuck with the leg kicks, even through the damage. Bonfim shot for another takedown and landed it, putting Thompson back on the mat. Thompson got to his feet again, but Bonfim kept him pinned on the fence. With 34 seconds left in the final round, Thompson reversed once more and pinned Bonfim, but Bonfim didn’t stay there long, flipping it again and keeping Thompson locked on the cage.
When the final horn sounded, the judges read the scorecards. Bonfim took the win by split decision. After the war, the two embraced in a final show of respect.
Saturday night in Nashville was a meeting point between legacy and ambition. Bonfim proved he’s ready to hang with the best.
Main Event:
Derrick Lewis def. Tallison Teixeira by TKO (strikes) 0:35 (Round 1)
Gabriel Bonfim def. Stephen Thompson by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Steve Garcia def. Calvin Kattar by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Morgan Charriere def. Nate Landwehr by KO (strikes) 0:27 (Round 3)
Vitor Petrino def. Austen Lane by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:16 of Round 1
Tuco Tokkos def. Junior Tafa by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 4:25 of Round 2
Preliminary Card
Chris Curtis def. Max Griffin by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Jake Matthews def. Chidi Njokuani by submission (short choke) at 1:09 of Round 1
Eduarda Moura def. Lauren Murphy by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Valter Walker def. Kennedy Nzechukwu by submission (heel hook) at 0:54 of Round 1
Mike Davis def. Mitch Ramirez by TKO (strikes) at 4:08 of Round 2
Fatima Kline def. Melissa Martinez by TKO (head kick and punches) at 2:36 of Round 3
