Gabriel Bonfim may not be a household name just yet, but come UFC Vegas 111, all eyes will be on him. The 28-year-old welterweight has quietly paved his way into UFC relevance, and with every win, his story becomes harder to ignore. Fresh off his split-decision victory over Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson in July, Bonfim is now stepping into main event territory against Randy Brown.

Yet, behind the rising star is a tale that goes beyond the cage, one of deep roots, devotion, and the drive to honor where it all began. So, let’s take a closer look at the man known as ‘Marretinha’, from his upbringing and faith to the record and riches he’s earned in the UFC!

Gabriel Bonfim’s Brazilian Nationality and Brasília Roots

Gabriel de Souza Bonfim hails from Brasília, the capital city of Brazil, and proudly represents his Brazilian heritage in every fight. He was born on August 20, 1997.

His nickname, ‘Marretinha’, translates to “Little Sledgehammer” in Portuguese and is a nod to both striking power and his older brother Ismael Bonfim, who also fights in the UFC and bears the moniker, ‘Marreta’.

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In fact, in his UFC.com Q&A, the Brazilian star confessed that he started boxing at age 14 and 3 years later made his way into the world of mixed martial arts, following in the footsteps of his two brothers. Today, he trains alongside his brothers at the Bonfim Brothers Academy, a tight-knit gym where family values and fight discipline go hand in hand.

Before he turned pro, Gabriel Bonfim built his name as the National Brazilian Boxing Champion, using crisp striking and footwork to separate himself from the pack. He later added grappling to his toolkit and now holds a brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, making him a serious threat on the ground as well, evidenced by his win against Khaos Williams, where he ended the fight with a brutal D’arce choke.

With that being said, let’s shift our focus to what spiritual beliefs drive ‘Marretinha’ on his quest towards the top of the welterweight mountain in the UFC.

Christian Faith and Spiritual Background

Gabriel Bonfim’s Instagram profile features the words, “JESUS CHRIST MY SAVIOR” at the top, indicating his Christian faith. His walkout music is a nod to the same as he often walks out to, ‘A Alegria do Senhor’ by Fernandinho, a well-known Christian gospel song in Brazil.

In a sport where mindset is everything, this connection to spirituality may be what helps center him before battle, as we now take a look at his record and the money he has earned through his time fighting.

UFC Record, Professional Achievements & Earnings

When it comes to numbers, Gabriel Bonfim is quietly building an impressive résumé. His professional MMA record stands at 18-1, including five UFC victories, three by submission and two via decision. His only loss in the promotion came against Nicolas Dalby in 2023, which he described in his Q&A as his toughest fight so far because “I wasn’t in top form.”

That loss, however, became a lesson in composure. Bonfim returned stronger, stringing together back-to-back wins, capped by his split-decision triumph over Wonderboy Thompson at UFC Nashville. Despite the close call, 12 out of 14 media outlets scored the fight for Thompson, making Bonfim’s win a controversial but career-defining moment.

As per information provided by Tapology, his disclosed earnings sit at around $100,000, although other estimates based on publicly available sources have reported higher numbers.

Now, the Brazilian is scheduled to headline UFC Vegas 111 against Randy Brown on November 8, after their original bout was moved from Fight Night 261. For a fighter still rising through the ranks, that’s a sign of trust from the promotion and proof that Bonfim’s star is growing fast!