Gabriel Bonfim and Stephen Thompson meet Saturday in the co-feature of UFC on ESPN 70 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom.
Last event: 2-3
UFC main cards, 2025: 64-48-1
Gabriel Bonfim vs. Stephen Thompson UFC on ESPN 70 preview
Bonfim (17-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) enters the biggest fight of his career thus far as a winner of back-to-back fights. Last July, he rebounded from his first career loss with a unanimous decision win over Ange Loosa. He followed that up with a second-round submission of Khoas Williams in February. … Thompson (17-8-1 MMA, 12-8-1 UFC) is in an opposite position, coming after back-to-back losses. “Wonderboy” last won against Kevin Holland in December 2022. Since then, he was submitted by Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 296 and knocked out by Joaquin Buckley at UFC 307.
Gabriel Bonfim vs. Stephen Thompson UFC on ESPN 70 expert pick, prediction
The co-main event on ESPN features a potential crossroads fight at welterweight between Stephen Thompson and Gabriel Bonfim.
Despite being a longtime Thompson fan, I can see why the betting public isn’t too high on his chances against younger competition at this point in his career.
On-paper mileage and age gaps aside, Thompson has shown a noted deterioration in his footwork down the stretch of fights, particularly when forced to retreat or maneuver along the fence. Although Thompson’s distance management sensibilities were among the elite for a time, every exchange starts to feel like much more of a gamble in recent years.
Thompson will have the bigger cage to move around in for this fight, but I’m not sure how safe that will keep him, considering that Bonfim seems to have solid level-changing takedowns both coming forward and off the counter.
I wouldn’t mind a “Wonderboy” upset, but the pick is Bonfim by submission in Round 2.
Gabriel Bonfim vs. Stephen Thompson UFC on ESPN 70 odds
The oddsmakers and the public are heavily favoring the younger fighter, listing Bonfim -430 and Thompson +300 via FanDuel.
Gabriel Bonfim vs. Stephen Thompson UFC on ESPN 70 start time, how to watch
As the co-main event, Bonfim and Thompson are expected to walk to the cage at approximately 11:10 p.m. ET. The fight broadcasts live on ESPN and ESPN+.
