MMA Match Preview: Stephen Thompson (17-8-1) vs. Gabriel Bonfim (17-1)

A classic striker vs grappler matchup headlines the co-main event of UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs Teixeira as veteran karate specialist Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson (17–8–1) faces surging Brazilian submission artist Gabriel “Marretinha” Bonfim (17–1) at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. With legacy, rankings, and momentum on the line, this bout could mark a turning point for both fighters.

Fight Details

Event	Info
Date	Saturday, July 12, 2025
Location	Bridgestone Arena, Nashville
Time	Co-Main Event ~10:00 PM ET
Broadcast	ESPN / ESPN+
Weight Class	Welterweight (170 lbs)
Rounds	3

Fighter Breakdown

🇺🇸 Stephen Thompson

Age: 42

Height/Reach: 6’0″ / 75″

Stance: Orthodox

Team: Upstate Karate

Record: 17–8–1 (7 KO, 1 SUB)

Recent Form: KO loss to Joaquin Buckley; submission loss to Shavkat Rakhmonov

Strengths: Karate-based striking, footwork, counter-punching, fight IQ

Weaknesses: Grappling defense, age-related decline, finishing power fade

Thompson remains one of the most technically gifted strikers in UFC history. His side kicks, lateral movement, and range control can frustrate aggressive opponents—but his takedown defense (63%) and recent stoppage losses raise concerns.

🇧🇷 Gabriel Bonfim

Age: 27

Height/Reach: 6’1″ / 72.5″

Stance: Orthodox

Team: Cerrado MMA

Record: 17–1 (13 SUB, 3 KO)

Recent Form: Submission win over Khaos Williams; UD win vs Ange Loosa

Strengths: Grappling, submission setups, pressure, cardio

Weaknesses: Striking defense, risk-taking in exchanges

Bonfim is a relentless finisher with elite grappling metrics—3.68 takedowns per 15 minutes at 76% accuracy, and 2.2 submissions per fight. He blends boxing pressure with level changes and thrives in scrambles.

Tale of the Tape

Attribute	Thompson	Bonfim
Strikes Landed/Min	4.11	5.22
Striking Accuracy	46%	43%
Strikes Absorbed/Min	3.02	3.80
Takedown Accuracy	41%	76%
Takedown Defense	63%	73%
Sub Attempts/15 Min	0.0	2.2