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“When the boys wanted to hit me at school, I called him to hit them, and he helped me out with those problems,” laughed Gabriel Bonfim, reminiscing about his older brother, Ismael Bonfim. Sibling rivalry? Hardly. In the Bonfim household, it was more about sibling loyalty. Growing up on the streets of Brasília, Gabriel always knew who to turn to when things got heated: his big brother. Today, both men stand among Brazil’s brightest MMA prospects. Gabriel, a jiu-jitsu black belt and submission artist, continues his rise after a split-decision win over Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson, while Ismael remains a knockout threat in the lightweight division. But behind their rapid ascent lies a story built on blood, family, and the fighting spirit of Brasília. ADVERTISEMENT Who Are the Bonfim Brothers? Ismael and Gabriel Background If you’ve ever watched Ismael and Gabriel Bonfim step into the Octagon, you’ll notice one thing immediately, they fight with pride. That’s because they’re representing more than just themselves, they’re carrying the spirit of Brazil. Hailing from Brasília, Federal District, the Bonfim brothers have deep roots in their homeland, a place where combat sports thrive. “Fighting in the UFC is my dream, even more so here in Brazil with the crowd in my favor,” said Ismael, embracing the electric energy of fighting in front of his fellow Brazilians. Gabriel echoes that sentiment. “Honestly, I don’t feel any pressure. This is a great opportunity to show our work, and we’re ready, so let’s do it.” Their connection to Brazil is more than just patriotic, it’s personal. The Bonfim brothers grew up immersed in the country’s rich MMA culture, training in local gyms, and making names for themselves long before stepping onto the world stage. ADVERTISEMENT MMA Records and UFC Achievements When it comes to their UFC careers, the Bonfim brothers have been making waves in their respective divisions. ‘Marreta’, the older of the two, fights in the lightweight division. He boasts an impressive professional record of 20 wins and 5 losses, with most of his victories coming via knockout. Meanwhile, Gabriel competes in the welterweight division, currently holding an 18-1 record, his lone defeat coming against Nicolas Dalby. ADVERTISEMENT Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports In fact, the UFC seems to love the Bonfim duo, scheduling them together on multiple fight nights. Their last shared event? UFC São Paulo, where Gabriel wasted no time finishing Mounir Lazzez with a guillotine in just 49 seconds, moments after Ismael delivered a brutal knee knockout to Terrance McKinney. Family Legacy and Early Fighting Career It’s no surprise that fighting runs in the Bonfim family. Before the brothers made their mark in the UFC, there was Odair Bonfim, the eldest brother, who paved the way for them. The Bonfim legacy didn’t start in the Octagon, it started in their household. “My family’s feeling when I wanted to be a fighter was very respectful because being a fighter was in my blood,” Little Sledgehammer shared in a heartfelt moment ahead of his UFC debut. Fighting wasn’t just a career choice, it was a family tradition. ADVERTISEMENT Both brothers started their professional MMA journeys in Brazil’s local circuits. Ismael in 2011 and Gabriel in 2014, before making their way to international promotions like LFA. Before his UFC debut, Gabriel was a Brazilian amateur/professional boxing champion and an LFA welterweight champion, while Ismael had already built a reputation for his knockout power. Their rise to the UFC was nothing short of spectacular. Both brothers earned contracts on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2022, on the same night. Then, in 2023, they doubled down on Brazil’s first UFC pay-per-view since COVID-19, making an unforgettable impact. First, Ismael delivered a highlight-reel flying knee knockout. Three fights later, Gabriel followed up with a lightning-fast submission in just 49 seconds. Despite their competitive nature, the brothers have always been each other’s biggest supporters. “We have always been very competitive since childhood,” Ismael admitted. “We always fought in training, but we’ve been very supportive of each other, too.” ADVERTISEMENT From their Brasília beginnings to the global UFC stage, Gabriel and Ismael Bonfim have proven that success runs in their bloodline, and together, they represent the next wave of Brazilian MMA. The question is, who will make it to UFC gold first? What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!
