Gabriel Bonfim has high praise for his upcoming opponent, Belal Muhammad.

Bonfim is set to headline UFC Vegas 118 on Saturday from the Apex against Muhammad. It’s a tough test for the Brazilian as he takes on a former champion, as Bonfim calls it the toughest test of his career.

“I think this is the biggest challenge I’ve ever faced,” Bonfim said at UFC Vegas 118 media day. “We’re talking about a former champion. Definitely, this is the biggest chance I’ve ever faced.”

Bonfim has faced top-ranked opponents before, like Stephen Thompson and Randy Brown. Yet, he knows Muhammad is a step above them, so he knows it will be a tough fight for him.

Gabriel Bonfim eyes stoppage win over Belal Muhammad

Although Bonfim says this will be the toughest challenge of his career, he is confident in his skills.

Not only does Bonfim think he can get his hand raised, but he believes he can finish Muhammad and will be gunning for a KO from the get-go.

“Belal Muhammad is coming off two losses, and I do believe facing a former champion coming off two losses is the right moment to face him,” Bonfim said. … “I think a dominant win over Belal Muhammad, a knockout as early as possible, puts me up there for my next performance.”

If Bonfim does KO Muhammad at UFC Vegas 118, it would be a statement-making win and would prove the Brazilian is a title contender. Yet, finishing Muhammad is easier said than done, as he’s only been finished once in his career, all the way back at UFC 205 in 2016 when he was KO’d by Vicente Luque. However, Bonfim has plenty of power as he’s coming off a TKO win over Randy Brown.

Bonfim enters his second straight main event riding a four-fight winning streak. He’s coming off a TKO win over Brown and, before that, beat Stephen Thompson by split decision. He has notable wins over Khaos Williams, Mounir Lazzez, and Trevin Giles, among others.

Do you think Gabriel Bonfim will beat Belal Muhammad at UFC Vegas 118?