Wrestle World - After 'smart' win over Niko Price, Themba Gorimbo lobbies for Diaz-Luque fill-in role

LAS VEGAS – Themba Gorimbo beat Niko Price with a unanimous decision Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC Fight Night 244 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Take a look inside the fight with Gorimbo, who was one of the card’s biggest favorites and won for the fourth straight time.

Themba Gorimbo def. Niko Price

Themba Gorimbo

Result: Themba Gorimbo def. Niko Price via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Updated records: Gorimbo (14-4 MMA, 4-1 UFC), Price (16-8 MMA, 8-8 UFC)
Key stats: Gorimbo outstruck Price 141-58 and had more than 9 minutes of control time.

Gorimbo on the fight’s key moment

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 12: (R-L) Themba Gorimbo of Zimbabwe punches Niko Price in a welterweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on October 12, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

“I think that was a tough fight. I thought Niko would go out sooner, but he’s a tough guy. I’m blessed to have won. Obviously, as a person you want a better performance, like knock the guy out and stuff. My mindset today was trying to finish the fight.”

Gorimbo on going the distance

“I feel good about (going 15 minutes). This is a tough sport. You need to be smart and win smartly and knock guys out and get out of there quicker, but sometimes guys are prepared for you at this level. It’s hard to get finishes. When you’re blessed to have one, celebrate it because sometimes it can go away very soon. Niko is tough. It was a good fight for me mentally because he took me to a place where a lot of people failed to, and it was a blessing.”

Gorimbo on what he wants next

Themba Gorimbo def. Niko Price, UFC Fight Night 244

“I would like to come back and fight early January, latest. I have to earn my spot out of the Apex, but I don’t mind fighting at the Apex. The last card of the year, or 11th of January – I’d like to have one more fight before my 34th birthday. I’m no spring chicken. I know Black don’t crack. I look good, but I would like to fight on the 11th of January, start the year with a bang. I would love to fight in December if Nick Diaz and Vicente Luque – if one of them pulls out. I would love to fight one of them.”

To hear more from Gorimbo, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 244.