UFC Vegas 122 ended a number of UFC careers.
In addition to the retirements of longtime veterans Gerald Meerschaert and Niko Price, former Lightweight prospect Ismael Bonfim has formally been cut from the UFC roster after his loss to Francisco Prado (h/t MMA Fighting). Not only did Bonfim lose via first-round knockout (see it here), but he also missed weight by a gargantuan eight kilos.
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Ismael Bonfim is the older brother of top-ranked Welterweight contender, Gabriel Bonfim, but their careers are trending in very totally different instructions. While Gabriel is driving a stable win streak and just lately defeated a former champion in Belal Muhammad, Ismael has fallen aside. The Brazilian finisher entered the UFC with an 18-3 document and obliterated Terrance McKinney in a stellar debut, but he’s struggled since then. He would win just once in his next six bouts, getting completed in every loss and lacking weight three separate occasions in the course of.
Now, he’ll take his abilities elsewhere. Prior to his release, Bonfim posted on Instagram to let followers know that his profession is far from over.
“There are no excuses, no shame, and certainly no reason to give up,” Bonfim wrote in Portuguese. “We made it this far by taking the hardest road, facing battles that few people know about, overcoming fears, breaking barriers, and fighting battles that go far beyond what happens inside the octagon. The outcome of a battle does not define a warrior’s worth, and a loss will never be enough to erase the entire story we’ve built.”
“I keep my head held high, my heart at peace, and my faith stronger than ever,” he continued. “Because those who know where they came from, everything they’ve been through, and how hard they’ve had to fight to get here don’t give up because of one result. My story doesn’t end here. God is still writing the next chapters, and I trust Him completely. All honor and all glory be to God!”
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