The UFC has caused a commotion by announcing a surprise matchup for ex-Welterwight title Challenger Stephen Thompson.
Thompson is one of the most famous names that compete in the UFC on 170 pounds, after he had done this since he landed a head-kick knockout in his Octagon debut 13 years ago.
At the age of 42 'Wonderboy' remains top 15 in the Welterweight, but has been Winless since December 2022.
Thompson's last victory came over Kevin Holland, and his next two fights investigated him by Shavkat Rakhmonov and eliminated it by Joaquin Buckley.
This confronts the veteran hunter with the pressure to prove that his tank is not empty this year. And to do this, he must have the rise of a highly recommended prospect currently outside the UFC rankings.
Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC
Stephen Thompson vs Gabriel Bonfim added to UFC Nashville on July 12
The promotion suddenly announced the return fight of Thompson on Friday and revealed that the fan's favorite will take the walk in UFC Nashville.
The event, which goes into the Bridgestone Arena on July 12, is led by a heavyweight collision between Derrick Lewis and Tallison Teixeira.
And it will be a similar case for Thompson's matchup. The long-term competition has the task of defending his place in the top 15 against Gabriel Bonfim, an up-and-comer with a record of 17-1.
The Brazilian welterweight has won two upright since he fell against Nicolas Dalby at the end of 2023 in his first career.
Bonfim, who only went to the score cards once every 18 fights, has recently submitted the most Khaos Williams artist at UFC Vegas 102.
Fans closed the UFC opposition for Stephen Thompson's Return
It was not long before MMA fans came to the reactions with their opinion about the surprise matchup for Thompson.
Much was confused and disappointed by the choice of opposition, especially with the conviction that every fight could be the last of the 42-year-old.
“What did Wonderboy do with the UFC?”
“This makes no sense.”
“UFC matchmakers must all be fired.”
“Why would they do this?”
What did Wonderboy do to the UFC?
– 🗞️ (@ludischarta) 30 May 2025
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But not everyone was against the matchup.
“Wonderboy is a solid gatekeeper.”
“Let's go Gooo.”
“Nice, Wonderboy may just fight back in a title interview with this.”
“This card is an absolute banger, [I don’t care] What someone says. “
Wonderboy is a solid gatekeeper
– Mr. SarCastic Logic (@sarcasm_n_logic) 30 May 2025
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A number of fans brought up the 'Venom' page of Michael and wondered why the UFC chose not to book a much-discussed struggle between the two karate style strikers.
Thompson, for his part, has often pushed back on that potential matchup by claiming that their styles would cancel each other and lead to a boring pointed fighter affair.