A pair of welterweights are set to make their octagon debuts against one another at the UFC’s February 18, 2023 Fight Night event.
Contender Series winner Billy Goff (8-2) will face Zimbabwe’s Themba Gorimbo (10-3) at the show, which does not have a venue, location, or broadcast plan officially announced. Iridium Sports Agency, representing both fighters, announced the news on Tuesday.
Goff defeated Shimon Smotritsky care of a first-round KO on Dana White’s Contender Series back in August. The victory extended his win streak to six, after starting his career going 2-2. Turning pro in 2019, the welterweight has twice competed for UFC rival Bellator MMA, posting a 2-0 record including a win over Robson Gracie Jr.
While moonlighting at middleweight Goff also captured the CES MMA 185lb title this past April.
Gorimbo may seem like a bit of an odd signing by the UFC, who inked the fighter to an exclusive deal back in August. Especially given he’s coming off just a single win. But with UFC Africa looking more and more like a possibility, the welterweight’s addition makes sense, especially with a feel-good story that has seen him going from being homeless in South Africa to fighting in the biggest promotion in mixed martial arts.
A former EFC welterweight champion, Gorimbo last fought in June for Fury FC, winning a unanimous decision over Julio Rodrigues.
No other fights outside of Billy Goff vs. Themba Gorimbo have been announced for the UFC’s February 18, 2023 event.
