Busier Schedule Tops Ismael Bonfim Wish List

Business in the Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight division slowed to a crawl for Ismael Bonfim, who has fought just once in the last 19 months.

His bid to pick up the pace begins with a UFC Fight Night 251 showcase opposite Nazim Sadykhov on Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Bonfim has rattled off 14 wins across his past 15 outings. He last suited up at UFC 301, where he took a three-round unanimous decision from “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 15 semifinalist Vinc Pichel on May 4.

“It’s been almost a year that I haven’t fought,” Bonfim told Sherdog.com. “I immediately asked for another fight, but nothing happened. Time passed, and almost a year went by. My name was available against several opponents. I even challenged a few. Nothing happened. This year, I’d like to fight a lot more—hopefully four times.”

Sadykhov enters the cage on a 10-fight unbeaten streak that includes UFC victories over Evan Elder and Terrance McKinney. The 30-year-old Azerbaijan native operates out of the Longo-Weidman MMA camp fronted by Ray Longo and former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman in New York. Sadykhov settled for a majority draw with fellow Dana White’s Contender Series alum Viacheslav Borshchev in his most recent appearance at UFC 295 in November 2023.

“I was very happy with this matchup,” Bonfim said. “Nazim likes to strike, just like I do. Even though he last won by submission, he likes to box. He welcomes striking. It’s what I do best. I believe that if I don’t manage to knock him out, we’ll go to a decision. That’s what I envision. He is very tough, but we’re working with his mistakes in mind. I’ll look to knock him out the entire time.”

Just as he did at UFC 283 in 2023, Bonfim will share the card with his younger brother. Gabriel Bonfim, 27, takes on Kalinn Williams in a three-round welterweight prelim.

“I like it. Gabriel and I live together,” the older Bonfim said. “When we’re booked on the same card, things get easier. We diet together, train together and go to the academy together. We’re used to it, but this is the first time I’ll be fighting after him on the same card. In the past, I fought before. This time, he’s fighting early and I’m on the main card. Let’s see how it goes. I believe everything will go smoothly.”