UFC Nashville results: Gabriel Bonfim wins controversial split decision over Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson

Gabriel Bonfim earned the biggest win of his career at UFC Nashville but his victory didn’t come without some controversial after getting a split decision over Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson.

Takedowns and control against the cage seemed to be Bonfim’s greatest weapons while Thompson was chipping away at him with some nasty kicks whenever he found room to work. The second and third rounds saw Thompson connect with his biggest strikes but Bonfim kept closing the distance trying to negate his best weapons.

When it was over, two judges scored the fight 29-28 for Bonfim with the third official giving the same 29-28 score to Thompson. That was enough for Bonfim to get the win while Thompson drops his third fight in a row overall.

“Stephen Thompson is the most experienced guy in the division,” Bonfim said after his win. “He’s amazing. He’s a bad ass. We got the win. I’m going to evolve. Thompson is the baddest ass in the division. He’s the toughest guy in this division.”

Despite the narrative of striker against grappler, Bonfim was willing to trade kicks with Thompson early but with just over two minutes left in the opening round, he finally grabbed his first takedown. Bonfim wasted no time advancing his position to look for the rear naked choke with Thompson doing his best to defend.

Bonfim couldn’t fully get his arms locked and he eventually slipped off with Thompson able to get back to his feet again. Thompson attempted to attack after taking back the center of the cage but Bonfim’s movement and counter striking never allowed the veteran welterweight to connect with much of anything.

As round two got underway, Bonfim didn’t waste any time looking for a takedown with Thompson doing a good job defending against the cage. The welterweights separated but Bonfim was quick to close the distance and then turn to his grappling again.

Thompson did a good job shrugging him off and then launching a huge head kick that rattled off Bonfim’s arms. In return, Bonfim ended up checking a low kick from Thompson and a gruesome cut opened on the shin as the former title contender dropped to the canvas momentarily.

Just when it looked like Bonfim was taking over, Thompson blasted him with a kick that wobbled the Brazilian. Thompson went for the kill and nearly scored a finish but time ran out before he could get the knockout.

With five minutes remaining, Thompson kept throwing kicks with his damaged leg as blood splattered across his opponent with every shot landed. Thompson connected with another huge shot but somehow Bonfim walked through it and kept coming forward before getting another takedown.

Unfortunately, Bonfim couldn’t do much of anything and he ended up just holding Thompson against the cage until the final horn sounded.

While there were definitely some close moments it seemed like Thompson’s strikes produced the most offense in the fight but two judges disagreed and Bonfim goes home with the win on his resume. He’s now won his past three fights in a row with hopes to climb higher in the rankings now that he’s beaten a real veteran like Thompson.