This is the UFC Vegas 118 live blog for Belal Muhammad vs. Gabriel Bonfim, the welterweight main event Saturday night at Meta APEX in Las Vegas.
Muhammad, the former UFC champion, is currently No. 7 at welterweight in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings, with Bonfim looking to climb from the No. 15 spot.
On a losing streak for the first time in his 30-fight career, Muhammad (24-5, 1 NC) needs a win to stay in the general orbit of the title conversation. The past few years have been a rollercoaster for “Remember the Name” as he fought his way to a championship opportunity, dominated Leon Edwards to become the No. 1 welterweight in the world, lost in his first title defense to Jack Della Maddalena, and was then defeated by top contender Ian Machado Garry.
With his 38th birthday just around the corner, the clock is ticking on Muhammad and his chances of becoming champion again.
Bonfim (19-1) is currently on a four-fight win streak. The up-and-coming Brazilian contender has rebounded strongly since suffering his lone loss to Nicolas Dalby at UFC Sao Paulo, defeating the likes of Stephen Thompson and Randy Brown, the latter via second-round knockout in Bonfim’s most recent outing. A win Saturday announces Bonfim as another intriguing contender in the loaded 170-pound division.
Check out the live blog for Muhammad vs. Bonfim below.
Closing Odds: According to FanDuel, it’s a near coin-flip, with Belal Muhammad as a slight favorite at -116, with the comeback on Gabriel Bonfim is at -102.
Final Prediction: Bonfim has been very solid, even though I thought he lost to Stephen Thompson and was gifted a victory by the judges. He bounced back and destroyed Randy Brown in his first main event, and that was super impressive.
To me, Muhammad has just fought way better guys, and his durability is going to be such a weapon in this fight, along with his cardio, pace, and well-rounded game. But the big game experience is the X-factor for me. Give me Muhammad 49-46, but a fight that is a little more competitive than the scores suggest.
Walkouts: Gabriel Bonfim out to what appears to be Vitor Belfort’s old UFC walkout song, while Belal Muhammad is out to “Splish Splash” by Bobby Darin. Yes, the 1958 hit song.
Final Announcements: Justin Bernard, who has done a great job tonight in his UFC ring announcing debut, gets everyone fired up. Herb Dean is the referee.
It’s as must-win as it gets for Belal Muhammad, so let’s see if he can stop the surge of Bonfim. No glove touch and we’re off. Bonfim gets right in there, throwing short punches, Muhammad going to the kicks early. Muhammad feinting takedowns and Bonfim is biting big time. Nice combination lands clean by the former champion.
Muhammad landing another combination, then a body kick. Counter right hand from Muhammad finds the mark as well. Muhammad one step ahead of Bonfim every step of the way through the first half of the round. Bonfim lands a jab, and he looks at least a weight class bigger than Muhammad in there. Bonfim with a nice calf kick, Muhammad lands a right, Bonfim with a left. Good exchange from both fighters. Final minute of the round, “Bully” chants roaring through the APEX from the 71 people in the building, Muhammad lands a leg kicks and that’s the round. Muhammad squeaks it out, but momentum with Bonfim.
MMAFighting scores it 10-9 Muhammad
Bonfim’s confidence rose as the first went on, and lands a calf kick early. Muhammad trying to be a bit more aggressive, and a little more reckless too as he charges in. Muhammad back to feinting takedowns, Bonfim not biting as much as he did in the first. A lot of swinging and missing two minutes into the round.
Clean leg kick from Muhammad, Bonfim grazes him with a right hand. Good step in jab from Muhammad, and Bonfim keeps moving forward, but not doing as much as he probably could here. Muhammad lands again, definitely taking more risks with heavier swings. Bonfim just trying to kick Muhammad’s calf right off, as Bonfim lands another brutal one, Muhammad lands an overhand right. Nasty counter combo from Bonfim. Muhammad busted up a bit, lands a sneaky head kick, but not much on it. Bonfim takes the round with more pressure, and the cleaner shots.
MMAFighting scores it 10-9 Bonfim, 19-19 overall
Maybe this is Muhammad’s plan? Now he turns it on? Muhammad runs and tries to tackle Bonfim, but good defense by the younger fighter. Bonfim right back to the hard leg kick. Jab from Bonfim, Muhammad ducks under a counter, but gets cracked. Another leg kick finds the mark from Bonfim. Muhammad with a body kick, but Bonfim doesn’t look like he’s phased, nervous, or has any respect for anything Muhammad has for him right now.
Bonfim drills Muhammad in the mouth and out goes the mouthpiece. We’re back in action and Bonfim just stalking his prey. This has gotten quite middleweighty, folks. Despite Bonfim having all of the momentum, as he’s taking zero chances in there. Jab from Bonfim, jab from Muhammad. Counter right from Bonfim, and that was his best round yet.
MMAFighting scores it 10-9 Bonfim, 29-28 overall
Muhammad and Bonfim were like six inches from each other and Herb Dean was like, ‘Eh, who cares?’ Same plan from Bonfim, jabs and leg kicks with no respect or fear with what’s coming back at him. Muhammad, perhaps in desperation mode, throwing wild shots, and getting countered bad.
Muhammad’s decision to not wrestle and grapple early — much like the past two fights he lost — is really a head scratcher, as he’s just getting beat up over these past 16 or so minutes. Bonfim not throwing much, and playing more defense, but Muhammad is not doing anything damaging. But now he’s finding a home because he’s being the aggressor. Muhammad’s corner screaming at him to keep going forward. Bonfim smiling at him, but he needs to be careful.
MMAFighting scores it 10-9 Bonfim, 39-37 overall
Bonfim just jabs Muhammad right in the nose to start the final round. I don’t expect much to change here, folks. Bonfim just picking Muhammad apart, who has frustratingly chosen not to do anything, anything at all that has gotten him wins, and a world title in the octagon in this fight.
More jabs, more calf kicks, and no resistance or offense that’s meaningful from Muhammad. Another leg kick from Bonfim, nice counter straight left from Muhammad, his best shot of the round by far. Muhammad lands a right hand but still walking backwards. Now he hurls himself forward, lands a couple of shots, but Bonfim’s jab was the better shot than all of Muhammad’s in that exchange.
Bonfim is 75 seconds away from a workmanlike decision win, but not the type of win that will have the UFC brass clamoring for him to fight for a belt, but still a smart, high IQ winning formula. Jab from Bonfim, Muhammad throws a jumping knee that has no effect, Bonfim swings and misses, and that’s the horn. Good win for Bonfim, but not a fight we’ll go back and rewatch anytime soon.
MMAFighting scores it 10-9 Bonfim, 49-46 overall
Gabriel Bonfim def. Belal Muhammad via unanimous decision (50-45 x3)
Bonfim puts over Muhammad in a classy move for what he’s accomplished. Felder asks where this win puts him in the division, and Bonfim replies by saying he wants to fight Jack Della Maddalena next. This was his best callout yet.
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