Themba Gorimbo stepped into a welterweight scrap with Vicente Luque on somewhat short notice at UFC 310 in Las Vegas.
The fight was originally to have been the return of Nick Diaz — initially booked for summer, the bout was pushed back, then cancelled altogether with Diaz out for reasons unknown. Enter Gorimbo, who had shot to fame by securing the backing of pro wrestling legend and Hollywood star The Rock.
Luque versus Gorimbo didn’t last long. An early exchange in close saw Vicente Luque drop Gorimbo. Luque then snatched the neck, getting Gorimbo first in a guillotine choke, then later rolling into a Anaconda. That choke was in tight, and Gorimbo tried in vain to fight, but couldn’t. Before he could even tap, he was out cold, with the ref’s watchful eye catching it right away.
A very impressive win with a super-tight Anaconda choke for Vicente Luque. And while Themba Gorimbo might not be a household name among MMA fans the way Nick Diaz is, the victory should still give Luque a boost.
“I’m back. I am back to finish everybody,” Luque exclaimed following the win, speaking with Joe Rogan. As for what comes next, “I want to go up,” the Brazilian said, stating he was looking at the top 10. Although a fight with Jorge Masvidal, should “Gamebred” return to action, would also appeal to him.
Official Result: Vicente Luque def. Themba Gorimbo by submission (Anaconda choke), Round 1, 0:52
