Las Vegas — Without a word of hyperbole, Gabriel Bonfim is facing the biggest fight of his career at UFC Vegas 118 this Saturday at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas.
Bonfim (19-1) is featuring in his first main event, with the Brazilian welterweight facing a former champion in Belal “Remember the Name” Muhammad. The questions surrounding the fight, as they often do in these circumstances, surround whether the up-and-comer is ready for such a big step up in competition, as well as if he’s ready to take on Muhammad’s wrestling prowess.
“I do believe that he’s going to take me down, I believe that he can take me down,” Bonfim admitted during Wednesday’s UFC Vegas 118 media day, speaking via translator with outlets including Cageside Press. “But best believe that I’m going to be getting up, and I’m going to wear him down. And that is the path to victory.”
Bonfim believes he’s caught the ex-champ, who lost his title to Jack Della Maddalena last year, at the opportune time. “I do believe that. I think Belal Muhammad is coming off two losses, I think a former champion and coming off two losses, that’s the right moment to face him.”
As for Muhammad’s frequent complaints about eye pokes, and his suggestion that some of those fouls are intentional, Bonfim allowed the possibility, but discounted it as an excuse for losing.
“I believe there can be maybe some tactics there, that you kind of get close, and just maybe get too close for comfort there, and close to his eye,” stated Bonfim, adding “that’s not a reason, to actually be an excuse to people.”
Gabriel Bonfim’s lone loss in the UFC came against Nicolas Dalby in 2023. In regards to takeaways from that loss, he explained on Wednesday that “I believe I learned how to control my emotions and keep myself cool and collected. And after that, I put up four straight wins, and I believe I’ve been able to master that.”
Watch the full UFC Vegas 118 media day appearance with Gabriel Bonfim above.