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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 05: (L-R) Belal Muhammad and Gabriel Bonfim of Brazil face off during the UFC Fight Night official weigh-ins at Meta APEX on June 5, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
This is the UFC Vegas 118 live blog for Belal Muhammad vs. Gabriel Bonfim, the welterweight main event Saturday night at Meta APEX in Las Vegas.
Muhammad, the former UFC champion, is currently No. 7 at welterweight in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings, with Bonfim looking to climb from the No. 15 spot.
On a losing streak for the first time in his 30-fight career, Muhammad (24-5, 1 NC) needs a win to stay in the general orbit of the title conversation. The past few years have been a rollercoaster for “Remember the Name” as he fought his way to a championship opportunity, dominated Leon Edwards to become the No. 1 welterweight in the world, lost in his first title defense to Jack Della Maddalena, and was then defeated by top contender Ian Machado Garry.
With his 38th birthday just around the corner, the clock is ticking on Muhammad and his chances of becoming champion again.
Bonfim (19-1) is currently on a four-fight win streak. The up-and-coming Brazilian contender has rebounded strongly since suffering his lone loss to Nicolas Dalby at UFC Sao Paulo, defeating the likes of Stephen Thompson and Randy Brown, the latter via second-round knockout in Bonfim’s most recent outing. A win Saturday announces Bonfim as another intriguing contender in the loaded 170-pound division.
Check out the live blog for Muhammad vs. Bonfim below.
Closing Odds: According to FanDuel, it’s a near coin-flip, with Belal Muhammad as a slight favorite at -116, with the comeback on Gabriel Bonfim is at -102.
Final Prediction: Bonfim has been very solid, even though I thought he lost to Stephen Thompson and was gifted a victory by the judges. He bounced back and destroyed Randy Brown in his first main event, and that was super impressive.
To me, Muhammad has just fought way better guys, and his durability is going to be such a weapon in this fight, along with his cardio, pace, and well-rounded game. But the big game experience is the X-factor for me. Give me Muhammad 49-46, but a fight that is a little more competitive than the scores suggest.
Walkouts: Gabriel Bonfim out to what appears to be Vitor Belfort’s old UFC walkout song, while Belal Muhammad is out to “Splish Splash” by Bobby Darin. Yes, the 1958 hit song.
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Round 4
Round 5
Official Decision
Post Fight
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