Dec 3, 2022; Orlando, Florida, USA; Stephen Thompson (red gloves) reacts after fighting Kevin Holland (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

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UFC Nashville Heats Up As Stephen Thompson Gets Paired With Rising Star In Pivotal Matchup

Fan favourite Stephen Thompson gets a new rising contender opponent for UFC Nashville on July 12!

Time has a funny way of changing things in MMA. One day you’re knocking people out with spinning kicks and challenging for titles. The next day you are looking at a tough Brazilian who wants to use your name as a stepping stone. That’s exactly where Stephen Thompson finds himself as he prepares for UFC Nashville on July 12.

Thompson’s journey in the UFC has been nothing short of remarkable, even if recent years haven’t gone his way. He has always been that rare fighter who could knock a fighter out with something they have probably never seen before, like that spinning wheel kick that sent Jake Ellenberger into another dimension back in 2016. But ‘Father Time’ doesn’t care about highlight reels.

Stephen Thompson Set To Face Gabriel Bonfim

The 42-year-old karate wizard will face Gabriel Bonfim, a hungry 26-year-old who sees this fight as his ticket to the big leagues. The Nashville crowd will probably give Thompson a hero’s welcome, and rightfully so. He has been one of the most respectful and entertaining fighters in the sport for over a decade. But respect doesn’t win fights, and Bonfim isn’t coming to Tennessee to make friends. The Brazilian has gone 4-1 in the UFC since earning his contract on Dana White’s Contender Series, with his only loss coming against Nicolas Dalby. He bounced back from that setback by submitting Khaos Williams in February. 3 of his 4 wins have come by way of submission.

“Wonderboy” is back!

Stephen Thompson will fight Gabriel Bonfim on July 12 at #UFCNashville, per the promotion. pic.twitter.com/OK2W3mooxp
— Nolan King (@mma_kings) May 30, 2025

‘Wonderboy’ is a creative striker, but fighting a young opponent with slick submission skills is a hard fight for him. This fight is a make or break for the 42 year old. He has lost 4 of his last 5 fights. If he loses this too, the fan favourite fighter might be looking at the door of retirement. Nobody wants to see legends overstay their welcome. His fight IQ remains sharp, his technique is still beautiful to watch, and his cardio has always been exceptional. But the body doesn’t stay sharp with age and this is what ‘Father Time’ is, and fans have seen this over and over again.

For Bonfim, beating Thompson would be the biggest win of his career and likely his entry into the welterweight rankings. At 26 years old with a 17-1 record, he’s exactly the type of fighter the UFC wants to build around. A win over a respected veteran like Thompson would give him the credibility he needs to start calling out bigger names and fighting for more money and legacy.

(Image Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck – Imagn Images)

Gabriel Bonfim

Stephen Thompson

UFC Nashville

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!