Themba Gorimbo
Zimbabwe
Gets no help from judges in defeat
Gorimbo lost to Jonathan Micallef via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 28-29) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Perth, Australia.
ANALYSIS
It won't make Gorimbo feel any better, but this was a strong performance from him as a +200 underdog. His shortcomings on the feet ended up being the difference in the fight, but Themba turned two successful takedowns into five-plus minutes of control time, at least giving him a fighting chance of pulling the upset. Ultimately, Gorimbo suffered his third straight defeat. Themba looked like a potential future star following a four-fight winning streak from May 2023 to October 2024, but he simply hasn't been able to continue that momentum. He's not a lock to receive another opportunity with the UFC.
It won't make Gorimbo feel any better, but this was a strong performance from him as a +200 underdog. His shortcomings on the feet ended up being the difference in the fight, but Themba turned two successful takedowns into five-plus minutes of control time, at least giving him a fighting chance of pulling the upset. Ultimately, Gorimbo suffered his third straight defeat. Themba looked like a potential future star following a four-fight winning streak from May 2023 to October 2024, but he simply hasn't been able to continue that momentum. He's not a lock to receive another opportunity with the UFC.
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Will take on Micallef
Gorimbo will face Jonathan Micallef in a welterweight bout at UFC Perth on May 2, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Gorimbo has plenty of pro experience as a 35-year-old veteran, but his results at the UFC level haven't been very good. He's coming off a defeat against Jeremiah Wells via unanimous decision in Nov. 2025, and he owns a 4-3 mark in his first seven fights with the promotion. If he manages to avoid getting tired late in the fight as it happened against Wells, he might have a shot at getting back to winning ways.
Gorimbo has plenty of pro experience as a 35-year-old veteran, but his results at the UFC level haven't been very good. He's coming off a defeat against Jeremiah Wells via unanimous decision in Nov. 2025, and he owns a 4-3 mark in his first seven fights with the promotion. If he manages to avoid getting tired late in the fight as it happened against Wells, he might have a shot at getting back to winning ways.
Drops decision in Vegas
Gorimbo lost to Jeremiah Wells via unanimous decision (28-29, 28-29, 28-29) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
All things considered and the end result aside, it was a pretty strong bounce-back performance from Gorimbo on the heels of his 52-second submission loss to Vicente Luque in December. Facing a power wrestler in Wells, he was able to land 6-of-9 takedown attempts, good for 5:39 worth of control time. Themba did tire some late, and he spent a good portion of Round 3 pinned to the mat, and that ended up being the difference in an otherwise close fight. Gorimbo is still very much an evolving fighter despite the fact he'll be 35 years old in late-January. He's 4-3 in his first seven UFC bouts and seems likely to hover around the .500 mark moving forward.
All things considered and the end result aside, it was a pretty strong bounce-back performance from Gorimbo on the heels of his 52-second submission loss to Vicente Luque in December. Facing a power wrestler in Wells, he was able to land 6-of-9 takedown attempts, good for 5:39 worth of control time. Themba did tire some late, and he spent a good portion of Round 3 pinned to the mat, and that ended up being the difference in an otherwise close fight. Gorimbo is still very much an evolving fighter despite the fact he'll be 35 years old in late-January. He's 4-3 in his first seven UFC bouts and seems likely to hover around the .500 mark moving forward.
Next bout booked
Gorimbo will take on Jeremiah Wells in a welterweight bout at UFC APEX in Las Vegas on Nov. 1, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Gorimbo has an identical record in the UFC as Wells; both fighters sit at 4-2. What's more, both are coming off a loss in their last outing, with Gorimbo dropping his last bout to Vicente Luque. Both fighters will be looking for win No. 5 as well as a bounce-back victory in Las Vegas.
Gorimbo has an identical record in the UFC as Wells; both fighters sit at 4-2. What's more, both are coming off a loss in their last outing, with Gorimbo dropping his last bout to Vicente Luque. Both fighters will be looking for win No. 5 as well as a bounce-back victory in Las Vegas.
Lasts 52 seconds in Vegas
Gorimbo lost to Vicente Luque via technical submission (D'arce choke) at 0:52 of Round 1 at UFC 310 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
That will put an end to the Gorimbo hype train in overwhelming fashion. Entering as a -165 favorite, Themba ate a short right hand early on which dropped him. That allowed Luque to clamp on the choke in an instant. Gorimbo ended up going to sleep as opposed to tapping out. While Themba entered having won four straight, and his back story is very well known, his best UFC victory to date came against Niko Price. There was always a chance he would be exposed when the competition level increased. That proved true on this evening.
That will put an end to the Gorimbo hype train in overwhelming fashion. Entering as a -165 favorite, Themba ate a short right hand early on which dropped him. That allowed Luque to clamp on the choke in an instant. Gorimbo ended up going to sleep as opposed to tapping out. While Themba entered having won four straight, and his back story is very well known, his best UFC victory to date came against Niko Price. There was always a chance he would be exposed when the competition level increased. That proved true on this evening.
Luque up next
Gorimbo will fight Vicente Luque at UFC 310 on Dec. 7, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Gorimbo will be filling in for Nick Diaz, who was forced to withdraw from the event for unknown reasons. The 33-year-old Gorimbo has won each of his last four fights, giving him a significant momentum advantage over Luque, who has dropped three of his last four.
Gorimbo will be filling in for Nick Diaz, who was forced to withdraw from the event for unknown reasons. The 33-year-old Gorimbo has won each of his last four fights, giving him a significant momentum advantage over Luque, who has dropped three of his last four.