Gabriel Bonfim wants Colby Covington next: 'An appropriate next step'

USA Today

a day ago

Gabriel Bonfim isn't listening to the noise. Mentally, he's already on to the next battle.
The rising Brazilian contender picked up his most prolific win to date on July 12 when he defeated welterweight legend Stephen Thompson at UFC on ESPN 70 by split decision.
"I feel great and I'm happy with my performance," Bonfim recently told MMA Junkie through a Portuguese-language translator. "My opponent is a legend of the sport, so that victory gives me confidence moving forward, and also shows me some things that I need to work on if I'm to achieve that status myself. I'm very hungry to build on my momentum."
As for the judges' decision and the wave of disagreement that came from fans online, Bonfim remains confident.
"I've gone back and watched it a couple times," Bonfim said. "Overall, I'm happy. I think it was a good performance, and I stuck to the game plan. I think it was an exciting fight, which is something that's very important to me -- giving the fans something to enjoy and remember."
"... I was confident that the judges would make the correct decision, and they did in declaring me the winner. There were aspects of the fight that made it close at times, but I did enough to win. Perhaps those who doubt my victory haven't rewatched the fight, which is something that I recommend."
Regardless of the armchair judges' nasty social media comments, the record books have a big "W" on Bonfim's resume. The victory even landed him in the official UFC rankings at No. 14. He's since bumped to No. 13.
"Myself and my team have worked so hard to get to this point," Bonfim said. "It's an honor to be recognized in this way, and it gives me even more confidence that I can continue to climb the rankings and be the champion."
With one welterweight great defeated, Bonfim has turned his attention to another one – one that is a bit more loud and bombastic. Bonfim wants Colby Covington.
"I'd like to fight Colby Covington," Bonfim said. "A fight against a former champion is an appropriate next step in my career after defeating Thompson, who also has a very impressive resume. That's a great matchup for me, and I believe it makes the most sense for my career. Most importantly, I've heard from a lot of fans, online and in person, who say that's the fight they want to see next, so let's do it."
Bonfim, 27, has won three fights in a row since his first career loss to Nicolas Dalby.
Covington, 37, has lost three of his most recent four fights including most recently a December bout vs. Joaquin Buckley.