Can ‘Wonderboy’ Defeat a Hungry Prospect?
UFC veteran and legendary striker Stephen Thompson draws a tough opponent at UFC Fight Night Nashville. Thompson, who is on a two-fight losing streak, will be locked in the octagon with one of the Welterweight Division’s most promising prospects, Gabriel Bonfim. Bonfim, who is just 27 years old, will enter the fight as the clear favorite against Thompson, aged 42. It’s evident, given Thompson’s age and status within the Welterweight Division, that he is nearing the end of his career. The question is, can he fend off a rising prospect on his way out?
Stephen Thompson enters the octagon following a knockout loss to Joaquin Buckley at UFC 307. A former two-time Welterweight Championship challenger, ‘Wonderboy’ has been at the top of the Welterweight Division for nearly 10 years. However, Thompson is no longer the competitor he once was. As is to be expected with age, Thompson’s decline has been notable. Thompson is now 1-4 in his last five fights, with his most recent win coming in 2022 against Kevin Holland. However, in his previous five fights, Thompson has been in the octagon with the very best of the Welterweight Division. Losses to Shavkat Rakhmonov, Belal Muhammad, and the aforementioned Joaquin Buckley are nothing to be ashamed of.
Throughout Thompson’s career, the game plan has always been the same. Use your elite karate striking to keep your distance and pick your strikes. Today, the game plan remains the same. Bonfim is a dangerous grappler with heavy hands, a style Thompson has struggled with in the past. Bonfim enters the fight with the Welterweight veteran with an impressive record of 17-1. Bonfim will certainly enter the fight with ‘Wonderboy’ with the strength advantage. I expect the Brazilian to look for takedowns early and search for a submission. Even though Bonfim has the raw athleticism necessary to stop Thompson, the American is still quick on his feet. If Thompson can use his fast hands and elite footwork to keep Bonfim out of takedown range, it would be difficult for Bonfim to find a way to win. However, in a sport that constantly favors young and hungry prospects over legendary aging veterans, it seems increasingly likely that Bonfim will be able to secure a finish and, in doing so, propel himself into the upper echelon of a deep Welterweight Division.
