Former welterweight champion Belal Muhammad hoped to rebound after back-to-back losses in the UFC Vegas 118 main event on Saturday. “Remember the Name” faced rising star Gabriel Bonfim.
Bonfim entered the bout ranked No. 11 in the division and riding a four-fight winning streak. His only career loss came in November 2023. “Marretinha” was looking to pick up the biggest win over his career and move into contender status.
The two did not touch gloves. Bonfim took the center of the cage and pressured Muhammad. The former champ circled on the outside. Muhammad connected with a counter right hand. He stepped in the pocket with a combination. Bonfim continued to pressure Muhammad. He landed to the body with a kick. Bonfim began landing his jab midway through the round. He also invested in leg kicks. Muhammad had difficulty closing the distance. Bonfim was able to move out to the way of most of Muhammad’s strikes. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Bonfim.
Bonfim went back to pressuring Muhammad in the second, He continued to draw on leg kicks. Muhammad fired back but was unable to connect with anything substantial. Muhammad found a home for a counter left. Muhammad began letting his hands go in the second half of the frame. He stepped in the pocket with a right hand. Muhammad landed a left hand but ate another calf kick. The leg kicks were adding up. Muhammad snuck in a head kick. Bonfim connected with a combination late in the round. MMAWeekly scored the frame 10-9 for Bonfim.
Muhammad immediately looked for a takedown to start the third. Bonfim shook off the attempt. Bonfim connected with a clean right hand. He continued to press forward. Muhammad unleashed big shots but missed with them. After unsuccessfully looking for a takedown, Muhammad delivered a kick to the body. Bonfim landed a combination that knocked Muhammad’s mouthpiece out. Bonfim continued to land leg kicks causing Muhammad to switch stances. Muhammad stepped in the pocket and was met with a right hand that staggered him. Bonfim remained controlled. Another right hand landed for Bonfim. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Bonfim.
Bonfim kept the pressure on in the fourth. The pace slowed a. bit. Muhammad landed to the body with a kick. Bonfim answered with a jab. Muhammad’s best weapon was his left kick to the body. Muhammad began moving forward late in the round. Bonfim found a home for a right. Muhammad missed with some big shots. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Bonfim.
Bonfim’s jab has dictated the pace. He landed a right hand. Muhammad continued to come up short with his punches. Each time Muhammad stepped in the pocket, Bonfim met him with punches and moved away. Muhammad tried to close the distance with punches but wasn’t able to land. He connected with a right hand. Muhammad continued to try and make something happen but couldn’t. MMAWeekly scored the round for Muhammad.
The judges score the right for Bonfim via unanimous decision. All three scorecards read 50-45.
