Gabriel Bonfim wants ‘anyone ranked’ after Randy Brown, picks Makhachev over JDM
UFC Fight Night 264 headliner Gabriel Bonfim spoke to MMA Junkie and reporters at media day for his welterweight bout vs. Randy Brown
LAS VEGAS – Saturday will be a very special moment for the fighting career of Gabriel Bonfim, as the rising welterweight contender headlines his first-ever UFC event.
Bonfim (18-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) is scheduled to throw down with veteran Randy Brown (20-6 MMA, 14-6 UFC) at the top bill of UFC Fight Night 264, which takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex. The Brazilian is over the moon about his career milestone, as it shows that his profile is on the rise, and he’s on the verge of big things in the sport.
“It just shows I’m evolving in my career,” Bonfim told MMA Junkie through an interpreter at Wednesday’s UFC Fight Night 264 media day. “I’m growing in the weight class. I was prepared for three rounds, but five rounds says I’m doing the main event, so I’m grateful for the opportunity. I’m growing in the weight class, fighting in a main event.”
Bonfim isn’t the only one in his family enjoying an important career moment. His brother, Ismael, will be competing on the main card of the event, taking on Chris Padilla in a lightweight bout. Bonfim is happy to be sharing this moment with his brother, and although fighting on the same card might bring about logistical problems, Bonfim sees it as a blessing.
“We’re very used to fighting together,” Bonfim said. “We fought together in cards many times, but this time he’s on the main card, and I’m on the main event, so of course there’s a lot of emotions that play around, but they’re all positive,” Bonfim said. “It’s all positive vibes. We’ve grown acquainted to fight together and do fight camps together, so we see this a as a big blessing for both of us. We’re both very excited and grateful to be here.”
