The UFC welterweight division will probably be solid in a major highlight over the following a number of weeks, and Gabriel Bonfim is now the primary to make the most of it.
Bonfim (19-1) knocked out Randy Brown (20-7) with a standing knee at 1:40 of the second spherical in the primary occasion at UFC Combat Night time on Saturday in Las Vegas. Brown, 35, initially protested the stoppage, however replays confirmed him badly damage by Bonfim’s proper knee up the center.
Bonfim prolonged his successful streak to 5 with the knockout and known as out former interim champion Colby Covington.
‘Colby, cease working,” Bonfim stated, by means of an interpreter. “Give me an opportunity so I can stroll you out of the ring. For positive, I will retire [you].”
Bonfim’s end got here courtesy of the standing knee, however it was the calf kick that dominated the battle. Bonfim landed 35 complete strikes, together with 23 to Brown’s leg, in response to UFC Stats. Bonfim focused the leg all through the primary spherical and ultimately opened up alternatives upstairs within the second.
Brown, who had received 4 of his final 5 getting into, responded properly and confirmed a willingness to face within the pocket, however the knee within the second spherical despatched him crashing to the canvas. Though Brown appeared to recuperate shortly after the bout was stopped, he did look quickly unconscious from the knee strike.
Brown was knocked out for the primary time since 2020.
Bonfim is attempting to interrupt into the UFC’s high 10 for the primary time in his profession. He was ranked No. 14 going into Saturday. His goal, Covington, is at present ranked No. 10, though he hasn’t fought since December and hasn’t received since a call win over Jorge Masvidal in March 2022.