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All Of Gabriel Bonfim’s Exciting UFC Finishes Ranked

Originally posted on MMA Sucka | By Hank Strandberg | Last updated Nov 6, 2025 4:44 PM ET

Over two years since arriving in the company, Gabriel Bonfim is one of the UFC’s top welterweights on the roster. With his slick submission game and exceptional striking ability, the Brazilian phenom has risen to become a budding star in the sport alongside his older brother, Ismael.

Earning his position at the No. 14 spot in the official 170-lb rankings with a recent win over two-time title challenger Stephen Thompson, Gabriel Bonfim now shares the company of some of the best fighters in the world. He also has recorded a handful of delightful stoppages that make his highlight-reel a truly entertaining watch.

Now, these are all of Gabriel Bonfim’s UFC finish victories ranked in order of significance.

4. Gabriel Bonfim vs. Trey Waters: Dana White’s Contender Series

While this particular triumph didn’t come inside the hallowed UFC Octagon, Gabriel Bonfim’s win against Trey Waters back in late 2022 not only solidified his place in the promotion, it also introduced international fight fans to his stellar ground game. Entering the bout as an undefeated professional, Bonfim had gained the attention of matchmakers after capturing the LFA welterweight strap over Eduardo Garvon six months prior.

Walking into the Apex himself for the first time, Waters was also an unbeaten competitor, with the last time he had ever lost a tilt going all the way back to 2017 during his amateur days. In addition to his pristine record, “The Truth” possessed a near 100% stoppage rate, ending five of his last six contests at the time inside the distance.

Before the fight even began, Gabriel Bonfim was a massive favorite to trounce the American, with Tapology putting the Brazilian at -300, and he proved the oddsmakers correct when he tapped out his adversary at just over four minutes with a rare Von Flue Choke. Handing Waters the first loss, Bonfim easily scored a UFC contract, making his company debut a mere four months later.

Bouncing back from the defeat, Waters would go on to collect his own LFA 170-lb in his very next appearance in the cage. The win was enough for the UFC to issue their own invitation to him to join the organization, where he still competes in at the time of this writing.

3. Gabriel Bonfim vs. Trevin Giles

By the time of his second Octagon outing at UFC 291, Gabriel Bonfim had already announced himself as a hot prospect in the welterweight class after a stellar debut seven months before. Traveling to Salt Lake City for one of the last pay-per-view events of 2023, “Marretinha” squared off with former middleweight athlete Trevin Giles.

Once a part of the stacked division that is 185-lb, Giles had encountered his fair share of highs and lows in the weight category, notably conquering future ranked opposition Roman Dolidze. Making the drop down to 170-lb in late 2022, “The Problem” picked up two consecutive wins over Louis Cosce and Preston Parsons. The WAR Training Center product also hadn’t been submitted in four years by the time of his scrap with Bonfim and had never been tapped out inside the first round.

Closing out the preliminary portion of the card in tremendous fashion, Bonfim managed to put away Giles in just over a minute, choking the then 20-bout veteran with a tight guillotine choke. The victory was a significant feather in the Brazilian’s cap, as it was not only a triumph over a tried-and-true seasoned name, it was also the third time that Giles lost a fight by guillotine during his time as a professional.

2. Gabriel Bonfim vs. Mounir Lazzez

Coming up victorious in his match with the aforementioned Trey Waters on the Contender Series, matchmakers were quick to book Bonfim in his debut scrap for the promotion. With the ink still wet from his hard-earned contract, he would make the walk for his first organizational bout three months later at UFC 283. Fighting in front of a sold out Brazilian crowd, the young upstart received a hero’s welcome as he entered the Octagon, where Mounir Lazzez was waiting for him.

Gaining entrance into the UFC in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, Lazzez scored a solid win over the power-punching Abdul Razak Alhassan. Competing just two times over the couple of years, “The Sniper” achieved a middling 1-1 record in the promotion, besting Ange Loosa and losing to Warlley Alves.

Eager to put on a show for his countrymen, Gabriel Bonfim wasted little time in bringing the fight to his opponent, backing the Tunisian up against the fence with his boxing and teep kicks. Initiating a body lock to get back into the center of the cage, Lazzez was immediately pulled into the guard of Bonfim, who rolled over to lock in a devastating mounted guillotine choke to end the contest in 49 seconds, which wound up being the fastest stoppage of the show.

1. Gabriel Bonfim vs. Khaos Williams

Heading into 2025, Gabriel Bonfim had finally gotten back into the winner’s circle after a splendid triumph over Ange Loosa, softening the blow somewhat from suffering both the first loss of both his mixed martial arts and UFC tenure to Nicolas Dalby, losing to the Pole by second round knockout. Standing across from him in his fifth tilt with the company at UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Rodrigues was the physically intimidating Khaos Williams (first name Kalinn).

For much of his time in the organization, Williams had garnered a reputation as one of, if not the, hardest-hitting members of the welterweight division, as evidenced by his first round finishes of Alex Morono, Abdul Razak Alhassan and Carlston Harris. Although he has never quite reached contendership, “The Ox Fighter” has remained a touted fan-favorite fighter for the entirety of his journey in the UFC. He had also never been stopped in his whole combat sports career.

While primarily known for his grappling skills, Bonfim showcased an evolving kickboxing game by outlanding Williams in nearly every category other than body shots throughout their meeting. Then, with just two seconds left on the clock in round two, “Marretinha” locked up the fight-ending D’arce choke to extend his then win streak to two in a row, delivering Williams the first ever finish setback of his 11-year career as a competitor.