By Garrett Kerman

Copyright clutchpoints

The shifting sands of the UFC schedule have produced a new main event for fans this November, as Gabriel Bonfim vs. Randy Brown has been relocated from UFC Rio to headline UFC Vegas 111 at the Apex in Las Vegas on November 8th. The promotion responded swiftly to the unexpected bout changes in the Rio card, locking in a compelling welterweight clash in Sin City, where rising contenders and high-stakes storylines abound.

Fight moves to #UFCVegas111. It’s now the main event on November 8th. (first rep. @laertevianamma) https://t.co/VMMfdm8BbD
— Marcel Dorff 🇳🇱🇮🇩 (@BigMarcel24) September 26, 2025

Gabriel Bonfim and Randy Brown will meet in the main event of UFC Vegas 111, a five-round welterweight contest pitting Bonfim’s Brazilian flair against Brown’s American grit. Bonfim, currently ranked #14 at 170 pounds, steps into his first UFC main event after a hard-fought split-decision win over Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson. This bout marks a significant moment in Bonfim’s career, as the Rio native had originally anticipated fighting in front of a home crowd in Brazil. Instead, he finds himself sharing the spotlight with Brown under the bright lights of the UFC Apex.
Randy Brown, brings momentum from a recent knockout victory over Nicolas Dalby, a feat few have managed against the durable veteran. Brown enters the contest 4-1 in his last five, with two post-fight bonuses earned along the way. His resume includes wins over established contenders and tough losses to the likes of Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena—setbacks that have aged well due to the quality of opposition.
Both Bonfim and Brown are headlining a UFC card for the first time, adding a sense of opportunity and anticipation to the event. For Bonfim, the chance to solidify his top fifteen position hinges on his ability to stave off Brown’s length, experience, and unpredictable striking arsenal. For Brown, the opportunity to upset a ranked welterweight and possibly earn a number come Monday draws added incentive.
Confirmed UFC Vegas 111 Fights
The UFC Vegas 111 card boasts a lineup rich in international talent and divisional intrigue. Alongside the main event, several confirmed bouts have already sparked excitement among fans and pundits alike. Here are the matchups currently locked in for November 8th:

Gabriel Bonfim vs. Randy Brown (Welterweight Main Event)
Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Jacqueline Cavalcanti (Women’s Bantamweight)
Luana Santos vs. Dariya Zheleznyakova (Women’s Bantamweight)
Marco Tulio vs. Christian Leroy Duncan (Middleweight)
Austin Bashi vs. Jamall Emmers (Featherweight)
Adrian Yañez vs. Cristian Quiñónez (Bantamweight)

This collection of bouts mixes divisional gatekeepers, rising stars, and unheralded finishers in a blend characteristic of UFC Vegas shows. Fighters like Mayra Bueno Silva and Jacqueline Cavalcanti will vie for relevance in the highly competitive women’s bantamweight division, while Marco Tulio and Christian Leroy Duncan look to carve out rankings momentum at 185 pounds. The featherweight clash between Austin Bashi and Jamall Emmers promises fast-paced exchanges, while Adrian Yañez’s return against Cristian Quiñónez is sure to delight fans with technical bantamweight veteran action.
The Impact of UFC Rio Changes
Gabriel Bonfim vs. Randy Brown was initially set for UFC Rio, an event that has undergone multiple last-minute changes due to injury attrition. With Charles Oliveira stepping into a main event clash against Mateusz Gamrot after Rafael Fiziev’s withdrawal, Bonfim and Brown’s bout was freed up to anchor the Vegas show. Bonfim, who had prepared for the pressure and energy of fighting in Brazil, now faces the challenge of shifting strategy against Brown in a quieter Apex environment. For Brown, the shift may remove some emotional weight, offering a more neutral setting to showcase his rangy offense.
This relocation underscores the UFC’s ability to pivot quickly, ensuring marquee matchups are preserved and fans receive competitive headliners no matter the location. Both fighters, unburdened by the additional media obligations and distractions of a massive Rio pay-per-view, can focus exclusively on the stakes of a pivotal welterweight clash.
The Bonfim vs. Brown fight presents massive upside for both men. Bonfim’s ranking and three-fight win streak mean he could propel himself toward the top ten with an emphatic win. Having already defeated a former title challenger in Thompson, Bonfim’s path to the elite remains clear if he dispatches Brown. For Brown, an upset victory over a ranked opponent would reignite talk of his dark-horse potential in the division—an especially tantalizing prospect when headlining in the Apex spotlight.
With the battle lines drawn, November 8th will be a night for both athletes to silence doubts, make the most of their main event billing, and ignite new storylines in the stacked UFC welterweight division.
UFC Vegas 111 promises to be an event defined by resilience, adaptation, and the hunger of fighters on the brink of breaking through. Bonfim vs. Brown as the new main event signals a contest where opportunity and ambition collide, and the supporting card ensures stakes across multiple weight classes.
With the confirmed matchups set and the spotlight shining on two of the division’s most intriguing talents, all eyes will be on the Apex as UFC Vegas 111 delivers another compelling chapter in the sport’s ever-evolving schedule.