Stephen Thompson suffered an injury that left him hopping around the octagon after losing to Gabriel Bonfim at UFC on ESPN 70. The two-time welterweight title challenger took a split decision loss in front of a live crowd at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.
Thompson initially seemed to brush off his defeat but revealed the full extent of his injury during a post-fight video posted on social media. He said that his left shin was “split to the bone” after taking a kick and showing it wrapped with medical tape.
The loss marks Thompson’s fifth defeat in six fights, further eroding his chances of regaining the welterweight title. The 13-1 start to his pro career seemed like a distant memory as he now sits at a 4-8-1 record since those title fight losses.
Thompson has struggled with consistency in recent years, with only one stoppage win in nine fights since early 2017. His next move remains unclear, but it’s clear that he needs to regroup and reassess his strategy if he wants to reclaim his spot as a top contender in the welterweight division.
Source: https://mmajunkie-eu.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2025/07/13/ufc-nashville-stephen-thompson-split-shin-bone-injury-gabriel-bonfim-stitches-video/85044627007