Rising Brazilian fighter Gabriel Bonfim put his name among the mix of title contenders in the UFC’s Welterweight division this weekend by claiming a unanimous decision win over former champion Belal Muhammad at the Meta Apex on Sunday.
After refusing to touch gloves at the start of the fight, Bonfim was the more progressive fighter in the first couple of rounds as he found a home for short punches while Muhammad replied with repeated kicks and takedown feints.
It was in the second-round where Bonfim gained crucial momentum as he bothered his opponent with stinging kicks before landing a swift combo that left Muhammad busted up.
Muhammad came out on the front foot at the start of the third round and attempted a takedown that was expertly defended. At this stage of the fight, Bonfim seemed to have been unfazed by Muhammad’s pressure as he continued to jab his opposite number with great success.
Bonfim closed the fight by picking Muhammad apart in the fourth and the fifth rounds, while he smiled at the ex-champion after being on the end of a kick to the body. With Muhammed slowing down, the 37-year-old often resorted to wild exchanges that yielded no success.
Nonetheless, the Brazilian convinced the judges of a clean sweep on the cards, particularly with crisp jabs and leg kicks as Muhammad constantly found himself on the back foot even when he attempted to attack.
BARANIEWSKI BEATS TAFA
Elsewhere, Iwo Baraniewski continued his rise in the Light Heavyweight division with a first-round knockout win over Junior Tafa. Baraniewski pieced up Tafa’s lead leg early on while he dropped his opponent following a brief tussle in the clinch. The Dana White’s Contender Series graduate then saw out the fight with vicious ground and pound to secure victory.
Also, Bryce Mitchell made it two wins on the trot in the Bantamweight division after he submitted Santiago Luna in the third round.
In what was a fight that largely featured numerous grappling bouts, Mitchell managed to get Luna in a dangerous position to secure an arm-triangle choke that left Luna tapping.
UFC Fight Night Main Card Results
Main Event: Gabriel Bonfim defeated Belal Muhammad by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
Co-Main Event: Brendan Allen defeated Edmen Shahbazyan by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Tom Nolan defeated Farès Ziam by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Bryce Mitchell defeated Santiago Luna by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 4:52 of Round 3
Iwo Baraniewski defeated Junior Tafa by TKO (strikes) at 1:25 of Round 1