A welterweight war is upon us for the next UFC APEX fight card, as it should be a main event that doesn’t disappoint.
It’s almost like a warm-up for the following event, UFC 322, which features Jack Della Maddalena vs Islam Makhachev for the welterweight title at MSG.
Gabriel Bonfim heads in as a considerable favourite with only one loss in his career, but Randy Brown carries more experience, which could play a huge factor.
Here is what you need to know about these two mixed martial artists before they clash in the Octagon.
Bonfim’s journey to the top 15
The Brazilian fighter placed himself into the UFC after earning a contract through Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS) in September 2022.
Bonfim submitted Trey Waters in the first round to maintain his undefeated record and 100% finish rate in MMA.
‘Marretinha’ made his debut at UFC 283, earning a first-round submission win against Mounir Lazzez in 49 seconds.
The 28-year-old extended his positive run with a 73-second submission triumph over Trevin Giles at UFC 291.
The Brasilia-born jiu jitsu artist suffered his first setback on his debut year, losing to Nicolas Dalby by second-round TKO at UFC Sao Paulo.
After an eight-month layoff, Bonfim planned to claim redemption at UFC Denver.
The 170lbs. fighter went the distance for the first time in his career, defeating Ange Loosa by unanimous decision.
At UFC Vegas 102, the Brazilian captured his 13th submission victory, choking out Khaos Williams in round two.
Bonfim came face-to-face with his biggest challenge yet when he featured in the co-main event of UFC Nashville.
He faced former title challenger Stephen Thompson, who was ranked in the welterweight division.
In a razor-close fight, Bonfim did enough to win by split decision and enter the top 15, making it his biggest career win.
A win for the #14 contender will maintain his position and should give him a higher-ranked opponent in his next battle.
Brown’s long run to become a contender
The Jamaican made his debut in January 2016 at UFC Newark, starting with an unanimous decision win over Matt Dwyer.
After suffering his first submission loss and gaining a two-fight win streak, Brown faced the recently former welterweight champion, Belal Muhammad.
‘Rudeboy’ took on the Palestinian at UFC 208 but would lose by unanimous decision.
Two years later, the Orthodox fighter snapped up a knockout win over Bryan Barbarena and a submission triumph against Warlley Alves to claim his first shot at the top 15.
The Springfield-born mixed martial artist faced #11 contender Vicente Luque at UFC Vegas 5, but brutally lost by second-round knockout.
Brown went on a four-fight win streak after his unfortunate defeat, claiming victories over Alex Oliveira and Francisco Trinaldo.
At UFC 284, the 35-year-old took on the current King of the 170lbs division, Della Maddalena, in enemy territory.
Brown was no match for the Australian as he suffered a first-round submission loss to cancel out his triumphant run.
Rudeboy continued to thrive for the welterweight rankings, picking up credible wins against Muslim Salikhov and Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos.
The BJJ black belt was on a three-fight win streak heading into his battle at UFC 310 against Bryan Battle, but lost by split decision.
However, Brown found redemption at UFC Kansas City, pulling off an incredible second-round knockout against Nicolas Dalby to give him a shot at the top 15.
This may be the Jamaican’s last chance to enter the welterweight rankings, as he will aim to make the most of it at the APEX.