Gabriel Bonfim is greater than a grappler. Heading into Saturday’s UFC Battle Night time, many thought Bonfim’s submission expertise would carry him to victory. As a substitute, he chewed up Randy Brown’s leg earlier than knocking him out with a brutal knee within the second spherical from Las Vegas.
Bonfim systematically disassembled Brown, who was the extra respected striker. Bonfim instantly started working, focusing on Brown’s lead leg with calf strikes. The harm added up rapidly as Brown began switching stances and preemptively selecting his leg up off the mat. What occurred early in Spherical 2, nevertheless, sparked extra dialogue than the great work previous it.
Bonfim landed a clinch knee that took him off his toes and dropped Brown. Bonfim rapidly stood up and ran over to deal extra blows to his grounded opponent. Earlier than he might, referee Mark Smith intervened and waved it off. Brown protested the stoppage, however it’s unlikely he would’ve fared higher had the battle continued.
Upon nearer inspection, it appeared that Brown was knocked out and awoke as soon as he hit the mat. After Bonim landed the knee, Brown slowly fell backwards, his head smacking in opposition to the mat. He appeared dazed as he slowly raised his palms to dam Bonfim’s inevitable incoming barrage.
Publish-fight, Bonfim mirrored on his efficiency earlier than calling out former UFC welterweight title challenger Colby Covington.
“We knew the calf was one thing. We knew to punish that, and that the knee would present up,” Bonfim mentioned, based on Portuguese interpreter Fabiano Buskei. “Colby, cease operating. Cease operating away. We’re the Bonfim brothers. Give me the prospect to knock you out of the rankings… I’ll retire him.”
It was a bittersweet night for the Bonfim brothers. Whereas Gabriel scored one in every of his largest wins thus far, Ismael wasn’t so fortunate.
Chris Padilla knocked out the elder Bonfim brother after carrying him out. Gabriel Bonfim improved to 18-1 with a three-fight profitable streak. Ismael Bonfim dropped to 20-5 and has misplaced three of his final 4.
