Brazilian welterweight Gabriel Bonfim narrowly defeated former title challenger Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson by split decision in the co-main event of UFC Nashville on Saturday night. Judges scored the three-round contest 29-28, 29-28 and 28-29 in Bonfim’s favour at the Bridgestone Arena, moving the 26-year-old prospect to 18-1 overall and 5-1 in the UFC. Thompson, 41, the promotion’s oldest active fighter, relied on his trademark karate stance but spent long stretches clinched against the fence after Bonfim repeatedly pursued takedowns. A clash of shins opened a cut on Thompson in the second round, yet the American staggered Bonfim with a late head kick before time expired. The victory positions Bonfim to enter the welterweight rankings, while Thompson falls to 17-9-1 and faces renewed questions about his future in the stacked 170-pound division.