Gabriel Bonfim has firmly established himself among the elite welterweights, achieving a dominant victory over Belal Muhammad in the main event of UFC Vegas 118. Bonfim’s performance propelled him into the top 5 of the division.
While the initial two rounds saw a closely contested battle, Bonfim consistently landed the more significant blows, including a series of punishing leg kicks. Muhammad emerged from his corner after the second round with a bleeding nose. In the third, he attempted a takedown, but Bonfim expertly defended the effort.
Midway through the final round, a powerful right hand from Bonfim sent Muhammad’s mouthpiece flying. Despite absorbing significant damage, Muhammad displayed resilience and continued to fight, though he likely found himself trailing on the scorecards.
Bonfim maintained his superior performance throughout the remainder of the fight, even as Muhammad’s corner urged him to increase his urgency. However, the opportunity for a comeback never materialized for the former welterweight title challenger.
Following five rounds of action, the judges’ scorecards were revealed. Belal Muhammad faced his third consecutive loss under the UFC banner.
Official Result: Gabriel Bonfim defeated Belal Muhammad via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45).
English Translation:
Gabriel Bonfim launched himself into the welterweight top five with a spectacularly dominant performance against Belal Muhammad in the UFC Vegas 118 headliner.
The first two rounds were fairly competitive, but it was Bonfim who appeared to land the more impactful strikes, including a series of brutal leg kicks. Muhammad went to his corner after the second stanza, leaking blood from his nose. When he came back out for the third, he immediately shot for the first takedown of the fight. However, Bonfim saw it coming and fended off the attempt with relative ease.
Halfway through the third, Bonfim sent Muhammad’s mouthpiece flying across the Octagon with a nasty right hand. To his credit, Muhammad took every bit of the bunch and never backed down, but likely found himself down on the scorecards after three rounds.
Bonfim continued to dominate the action as Muhammad’s corner desperately urged him to show urgency inside the Octagon. Unfortunately, the moment would never come for the former welterweight titleholder.
After five rounds of action, we went to the scorecards where ‘Remember The Name’ would suffer his third straight loss under the UFC banner.
Official Result: Gabriel Bonfim def. Belal Muhammad via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45).