UFC Vegas 122 ended multiple UFC careers.
In addition to the retirements of longtime veterans Gerald Meerschaert and Niko Price, former Lightweight prospect Ismael Bonfim has officially 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 pounds.
Ismael Bonfim is the older brother of top-ranked Welterweight contender, Gabriel Bonfim, but their careers are trending in very different directions. While Gabriel is riding a solid win streak and recently defeated a former champion in Belal Muhammad, Ismael has fallen apart. The Brazilian finisher entered the UFC with an 18-3 record 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 finished in every loss and missing weight three separate times in the process.
Now, he’ll take his talents elsewhere. Prior to his release, Bonfim posted on Instagram to let fans know that his career 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!”