Tag: Themba Gorimbo

Themba Gorimbo Recalls Waking Up After Being Choked Out By Vicente Luque At UFC 310: ‘Where Am I?!’

Themba Gorimbo appears to be in good spirits following the second loss of his UFC career this past weekend in Las Vegas. After Nick Diaz withdrew from his fight with Vicente Luque at UFC 310, the Brazilian needed a new opponent for his second fight of 2024. Gorimbo stepped up and looked to earn the […]

Themba Gorimbo appears to be in good spirits following the second loss of his UFC career this past weekend in Las Vegas. After Nick Diaz withdrew from his fight with Vicente Luque at UFC 310, the Brazilian needed a new opponent for his second fight of 2024.

Gorimbo stepped up and looked to earn the biggest win of his career whilst extending his current winning streak inside the Octagon to five. Instead, the welterweight staple was able to produce the fastest finish on the card where after dropping his opponent, Luque locked up an anaconda choke to get the submission victory inside the opening minute of their prelim bout.

The 33-year old contender from Zimbabwe has since posted his reaction to the fight on social media where he has been able to take the positives from this latest setback. Alongside a video on Instagram, he wrote the following caption:

“My little dream story, it’s crazy life sometimes you the nail man. 2024 was and a good year for my career 3-1 in ufc in 10 months that was something to be thankful for. Busiest year of my career. Learn and grow from this.”

In the video, Gorimbo details what the experience was like of being choked out and waking up inside the Octagon with no recollection of what had just happened.

“One of the craziest things that happen in my career was Yesterday man. Woke up from like a little dream land, boom, open my eyes, see a black guy and a white guy. I’m like, ‘Damn! Where am I?’ and they were like, ‘The fight is over Themba’, the black guy said. The white guy said ‘Stay down’, I guess he was the doctor. I’m like, ‘Hold up, let me up, where am I?’ and then I’m like ‘Oh coach, is the fight done? Damn!’. Yeah man, one of the craziest moments of my career. It’s funny what happened, it happens man. Honestly like, I worked hard. My entire career I’ve always worked hard. For this fight camp, I worked hard. There’s things that I can fix, there’s things definitely that needs to be adjusted. Some healing need to be done… No excuse. Luque caught me with a good one. That was so cool man, still in dream land now.”

VIDEO: Vicente Luque Chokes Themba Gorimbo Unconscious In Under A Minute At UFC 310

Those who were counting Vicente Luque out were sorely mistaken. The longtime welterweight contender returned to the win column in impactful fashion with a quick victory over Themba Gorimbo as part of the UFC 310 preliminary card Saturday night. “The Silent Assassin” dropped Gorimbo with a short right hand just seconds into the fight. The […]

Those who were counting Vicente Luque out were sorely mistaken.

The longtime welterweight contender returned to the win column in impactful fashion with a quick victory over Themba Gorimbo as part of the UFC 310 preliminary card Saturday night.

“The Silent Assassin” dropped Gorimbo with a short right hand just seconds into the fight. The Brazilian then jumped immediately for the Zimbabwean’s neck, looking for the submission.

And after he managed to lock in a D’arce choke, Gorimbo went unconscious seconds later, giving the Kill Cliff FC standout a memorable submission.

Vicente Luque Scores Sub-Minute Submission Of Themba Gorimbo At UFC 310

After a pair of losses in 2022, including one to current welterweight champion Belal Muhammad, Luque has now won two of his last three fights.

Gorimbo, meanwhile, sees a four-fight win streak snapped with this loss tonight.

Vicente Luque Admits Nick Diaz Withdrawal Has Left Him With UFC 310 Bout That ‘Makes More Sense’ 

When it comes to achieving his ongoing goals in the UFC, welterweight Vicente Luque believes he’s in line to be better placed following the withdrawal of Nick Diaz. Luque, a veteran contender who has slipped to #14 in the rankings following three losses in his last four fights, will make his return on the preliminary […]

When it comes to achieving his ongoing goals in the UFC, welterweight Vicente Luque believes he’s in line to be better placed following the withdrawal of Nick Diaz.

Luque, a veteran contender who has slipped to #14 in the rankings following three losses in his last four fights, will make his return on the preliminary card of this weekend’s UFC 310 pay-per-view.

“The Silent Assassin” is tasked with defending his spot on the ladder against the charging Themba Gorimbo, who has won four straight since a loss on debut in the UFC early last year.

The Brazilian was originally slated to appear opposite Diaz, marking their second attempt at sharing the cage in 2024. The pair previously had a clash at the UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi this past August called off, with visa issues on the side of the Stockton native being branded the reason.

Their rescheduled booking also fell through shortly after a concerning video emerged that appeared to show Diaz attempting to light grass on fire in the street.

While fans and fighters alike express worry over Diaz’s status, Luque has a new foe in his sights. And although his new matchup isn’t quite as prominent following his high-profile opponent pulling out, “The Silent Assassin” sees a silver lining.

“Nick brought a lot of that hype from the fans,” Luque said during an interview with MMA Fighting. “When I look to the UFC, there are a lot of things that can push you over. Maybe the biggest of all is hype, and I think the Nick fight brought that. Now, when I look at this fight, from a sportive side, it makes way more sense.

“It’s a challenge, a good guy who is coming hungry for the victory, and he wants to enter the rankings,” Luque continued. “I’m here to defend my position and at the same time show I’m still going for the top, gunning to become champion. This fight brings that.”

Luque will now look to make the most of his opportunity to stall the rise of an in-form prospect and prove that he’s still got plenty to give toward the top of the standings at 170 pounds.

Themba Gorimbo calls for UFC Africa headlining fight after recent win: ‘I come from the gutters’

Themba Gorimbo calls for UFC Africa headlining fight after recent win I came from the guttersAfter picking up a win at UFC Vegas 92, Themba Gorimbo opened up about his dream for the future…

Themba Gorimbo calls for UFC Africa headlining fight after recent win I came from the gutters

After picking up a win at UFC Vegas 92, Themba Gorimbo opened up about his dream for the future and what it will take to make that dream happen.

Coming from the “gutters” of Africa by his own admission, Gorimbo’s story is an inspirational one. He knows that, and that’s why he believes that he can make his dream of headlining a UFC Africa card come true one day.

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At UFC Vegas 92, Gorimbo wasn’t just fighting for himself, though. His coach tragically lost his mother in the lead-up to fight night, and according to Gorimbo, the win was for her just as much as it was for himself.

“I don’t think he took me down,” Gorimbo told reporters at the post-fight press conference. “I think every time he tried to take me down, I remembered my coach and the sacrifice that he made. I said, ‘Nope.’ I remembered the sacrifice that he made. That’s why he didn’t take me down. Every time, he didn’t take me down. My takedown defense was solid. I took him down. I could’ve done more if I wanted to. But for this fight, I was working more on defensive wrestling than attacking wrestling. Because I wanted to knock him out. What I’m doing is being grateful for the win. That’s the most important thing.”

Themba Gorimbo hoped for a spectacular finish but ultimately came up short. Still, Gorimbo is just happy he can leave for home as the victor.

Themba Gorimbo speaks on his dream to headline UFC Africa card

“I’ve heard the rumors they’re going with a Fight Night first when they do go,” Themba Gorimbo said. “At a Fight Night, there’s no titles needed. So I have to make my way up and main event an Apex show. From there, I’ll main event the first African show because I’m a big inspiration to the African fighters because of where I come from. I earned my spot to be here. I didn’t have anything. I worked my ass off to be here. I sacrificed. I nagged my manager daily to be here in the UFC. If an African child can maybe take a page out of my story, to try to make it here, I’m the perfect guy to ask. If you listen to me and you try to do what I do, you might be up there or just land in the UFC.”

Gorimbo UFC Vegas 92

“I feel like I need to do that to inspire a lot of other African kids. I respect the guys who came before me, Izzy (Adesanya), Kamaru (Usman), the history he made, (Francis) Ngannou, the history he made, Dricus (Du Plessis) with the championship that he has. I respect that. But when it comes to the guy who can actually relate a lot more than anything, I’m not disrespecting the guys, but I come from the gutters of Africa, the gutters of Africa. I can maybe turn a page and reach the new market the UFC needs to reach.”

What’s more, Themba Gorimbo wouldn’t even describe himself as a role model. Instead, he’d just like his story to inspire his people.

Gorimbo UFC Vegas

“I’m not a guy that is a role model,” Themba Gorimbo said. “I’m just Themba Gorimbo. That’s what I’m proud of firstly. … When I sit at home, before sleeping at home in my bed, I reflect, and I don’t make the same mistakes again. So I’m not a role model, but I want to be an inspiration and I think I am. … I am inspiration more than a role model.”

Who do you think will headline the UFC Africa card?

UFC prospect Themba Gorimbo receives brand new house from Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson: ‘Welcome home’

Themba GorimboLast month, fight fans were treated to a heartwarming moment when UFC prospect Themba Gorimbo received an unexpected visit from the most electrifying man in sports entertainment, The Rock. In May, Themba Gorimbo earned his first win inside the Octagon, securing a unanimous decision victory over Takashi Soto at a Fight Night event. However, it […]

Themba Gorimbo

Last month, fight fans were treated to a heartwarming moment when UFC prospect Themba Gorimbo received an unexpected visit from the most electrifying man in sports entertainment, The Rock.

In May, Themba Gorimbo earned his first win inside the Octagon, securing a unanimous decision victory over Takashi Soto at a Fight Night event. However, it was Gorimbo’s comments after the fight that got the world’s attention. During his post-fight interview, ‘The Answer’ revealed that he had little more than $7 in his bank account going into fight week and was often treated to meals by his MMA Masters teammates, including perennial welterweight contender Colby Covington.

The story quickly caught the attention of Dwayne Johnson, who knows all too well what it feels like to only have a few dollars in your pocket. The Rock reached out letting Gorimbo know that he was determined to help out and would be in touch. Two months later, Johnson did exactly that, surprising Themba Gorimbo at his gym before whisking him away to a house in Miami.

The house turned out to be Gorimbo’s new home.

Welcome home @TheAnswerMMA,” Johnson wrote on Twitter. “You and your family enjoy your new house brother. Lights are on. Bills are paid. Keep your “My Reason” list close, keep taking care of your people and I’m honored to play a very, very small role in your $7 bucks journey. $7 bucks. I’ve been there too. Got your back brother. Let’s get to work on that dream of becoming @ufc champion one day.”

With a place to call home, Themba Gorimbo can now focus on the two most important things in his life; family and becoming a UFC champion.

Currently, Gorimbo is 11-4 in his mixed martial arts career with a majority of his experience coming whilst fighting for regional promotions in Africa. ‘The Answer’ has also competed for UAE Warriors and Fury Fighting Championship ahead of his UFC debut. Gorimbo came up short in his Octagon debut, suffering a second-round guillotine choke to AJ Fletcher, but he quickly bounced back three months later to secure his first win in the UFC.

Video – Themba Gorimbo gets a surprise visit from The Rock in heartwarming moment

GorimboAfrican standout Themba Gorimbo received a visit from the most electrifying man in sports entertainment. Gorimbo made his Octagon debut in February, coming up short against AJ Fletcher, but the Zimbabwe native bounced back three months later, scoring a unanimous decision win over Takashi Sato. However, it was Gorimbo’s post-fight reveal that got much of […]

Gorimbo

African standout Themba Gorimbo received a visit from the most electrifying man in sports entertainment.

Gorimbo made his Octagon debut in February, coming up short against AJ Fletcher, but the Zimbabwe native bounced back three months later, scoring a unanimous decision win over Takashi Sato. However, it was Gorimbo’s post-fight reveal that got much of the attention. Speaking with members of the media, ‘The Answer’ disclosed that going into fight week, he only had $7 in his bank account and was relying on his teammates to bring him meals.

The story quickly went viral and caught the attention of Dwayne Johnson, known by the millions… And millions of his fans as The Rock. Taking to Twitter, Johnson was moved by Gorimbo’s story and offered a helping hand.

As it turns out, that helping hand ended up being a surprise visit. Oh, and a fully furnished home in Miami.

The Rock Pays a Visit to Themba Gorimbo at MMA Masters in Miami

“We’ve never met but I had to fly to Miami to look this man [Themba Gorimbo] in the eyes, hug him and shake his hand,” Johnson tweeted Thursday. “I’ve been moved & motivated by his story. He recently won his first fight in the [UFC]. He had $7 bucks in his bank account when he won. He sleeps on a couch in the gym.

“After the fight, he sold his fight gear (trunks & gloves) on line and made $7,000. Instead of using the money to find a place to live, he built a bush pump so his village back in Zimbabwe can have clean water. He never asked me for anything, but I just wanted to help the guy out. $7 Bucks ya know. And I felt the MANA & emotion in every hug. Very good and very special day.”

In a sport that is often loaded to the brim with hate and animosity, it’s nice to see something truly heartwarming happen.