Zimbabwe native Themba Gorimbo returned to the Octagon on Saturday night as part of the UFC Vegas 92 main card in Las Vegas.
Seeking his third career victory under the UFC banner and 13th overall, ‘The Answer’ squared off with Fortis MMA product Ramiz Brahimaj. Making his promotional debut in 2020, Brahimaj was also seeking his third win in the UFC after splitting his first four fights, going 2-2.
Round 1
Both fighters circle one another for the first 30 seconds until Gorimbo gets things started with a front kick to the body of his opponent. Brahimaj catches the kick and immediately initiates the clinch. However, it’s Gorimbo who lands the takedown, gaining top position and settling into Brahimaj’s guard. Brahimaj works his way to the cage wall and uses it to climb his way back up.
Gorimbo maintains control up against the cage wall. Brahimaj initiates another takedown, but it’s Gorimbo who once again reverses and ends up on top. Brahimaj again works his way to the fence and uses it to get back to his feet. Gorimbo is maintaining control, but offering little in the way of offense. Brahimaj reverses position against the fence. Gorimbo goes over the top with an elbow, but there’s not enough space to land it cleanly. Gorimbo reverses along the fence and holds the position through the end of the round.
Round 2
Gorimbo once again comes out throwing a front kick followed by a couple of calf kicks that connect. Brahimaj again closes the distance and clinches up, but Gorimbo gets double underhooks and takes control up against the fence. Brahimaj reverses, but it’s not long before Gorimbo once again takes control and drags his opponent to the mat, pinning him against the cage wall.
Brahimaj gets back to his feet but gets tripped right back down. Brahimaj scrambles and pops back up, but can’t break away from the grip of Gorimbo. The fighters continue to trade positions against the cage, prompting referee Mark Smith to call for more action. Brahimaj takes Gorimbo to the ground and gets his back, but Gorimbo shakes him off, getting top control. Brahimaj again uses the fence to get up, dragging Gorimbo’s weight up with him the entire time.
Gorimbo trips Brahimaj back down to the mat, taking his back in the process, but Gorimbo is unable to do anything with the position before the round ends.
Round 3
Gorimbo starts things off with a couple of right hands followed by a calf kick, but it’s not long before he clinches up and resumes fighting against the fence. The two periodically trade positions. Brahimaj digs for a single leg but fails to complete the takedown, allowing Gorimbo to take control against the cage wall. After a few minutes of maintaining control, Gorimbo earns another takedown via an inside trip. Gorimbo swings around to Brahimaj’s back and continues to maintain control through the final horn.
Official Result: Themba Gorimbo def. Ramiz Brahimaj via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
Check Out Highlights From Themba Gorimbo vs. Ramiz Brahimaj at UFC Vegas 92:
Welterweight action up next 💪@TheAnswerMMA vs @170Ramiz
[ #UFCVegas92 | LIVE on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/5gEHN31pQa
— UFC (@ufc) May 18, 2024
UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Murphy UFC Vegas 92 Free fights #UFCVegas92 :
Themba Gorimbo vs Ramiz Brahimaj
Final secs rd 3 pic.twitter.com/rcAmft5nff
— Just zipped a bong hit with my bear Ted (@stonedagainbros) May 19, 2024
UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Murphy UFC Vegas 92 Free fights #UFCVegas92 :
Themba Gorimbo (W) DEC vs Ramiz Brahimaj
Emotion speech with Paul Felder pic.twitter.com/R07XaYD0Hw
— Just zipped a bong hit with my bear Ted (@stonedagainbros) May 19, 2024
