“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.

Who Are the Bonfim Brothers? Ismael

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