Career Averages - Jeremiah Wells
Career Averages - Themba Gorimbo
Jeremiah Wells
Themba Gorimbo
Jeremiah Wells - Fight History
This fight was not discussed in the transcript. No pick was made.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah Wells | 0 | 32 of 53 | 60% | 59 of 84 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 3 | 0 | 6:05 |
| Themba Gorimbo | 0 | 18 of 33 | 54% | 80 of 102 | 6 of 9 | 66% | 0 | 1 | 5:39 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah Wells | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 2 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:57 |
| Themba Gorimbo | 0 | 4 of 4 | 100% | 29 of 34 | 4 of 6 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 3:36 | |
| 2 | Jeremiah Wells | 0 | 14 of 26 | 53% | 27 of 41 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 2:15 |
| Themba Gorimbo | 0 | 10 of 22 | 45% | 33 of 46 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 1 | 0:52 | |
| 3 | Jeremiah Wells | 0 | 17 of 24 | 70% | 30 of 38 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 2 | 0 | 2:53 |
| Themba Gorimbo | 0 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 18 of 22 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:11 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah Wells | 32 of 53 | 60% | 23 of 43 | 5 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 21 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 14 |
| Themba Gorimbo | 18 of 33 | 54% | 8 of 22 | 9 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 15 of 30 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah Wells | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Themba Gorimbo | 4 of 4 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | |
| 2 | Jeremiah Wells | 14 of 26 | 53% | 9 of 20 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 4 | 12 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 |
| Themba Gorimbo | 10 of 22 | 45% | 7 of 18 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Jeremiah Wells | 17 of 24 | 70% | 13 of 20 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 10 |
| Themba Gorimbo | 4 of 7 | 57% | 1 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Gorimbo (-140); Wells (+110)
Round 1
In the “featured fight of the night” slot, a pair of 170-pound brawlers with matching 4-2 records in the promotion try to improve their fortunes at the expense of the other. Wells (12-4-1, 4-2 UFC) likely has his back against the wall more of the two, as he turned 39 on Thursday. Gorimbo (14-5, 4-2 UFC) is no spring chicken, but at 34, he still has at least a half decade left if history is any indication. Drawing the assignment for this pairing is referee Chris Tognoni, who will be on his A-game for as long as this lasts. They do not touch gloves.
Both fighters bounce back and forth towards one another, and after 20 seconds of that, Wells lets loose a kick. Gorimbo responds with a double-leg takedown, grounding the Philadelphia native for a moment. Wells bounces back to his feet, and Gorimbo uses full-on muscle to throw him back to the mat. Wells pulls his finger in the fence to try to improve his position, and when he tries again, Tognoni shouts him down. In the meantime, Gorimbo has advanced to full mount, and he forces Wells to turn over when he is about to engage with ground-and-pound. Wells twists to his knees and grabs hold of Gorimbo’s right hand to control it and prevent him from getting struck. He uses this limb control to stand up and subsequently attempt a trip takedown. “The Answer” answers him with a throw that plants the Renzo Gracie Philly product flat on his back.
Gorimbo controls with right hands as Wells tries to scramble, and Wells still works his way to the cage and grabs the fence immediately. Gorimbo chucks him to the floor like a sack of potatoes and reassumes top position. When Gorimbo sits up to blast with ground strikes, Wells scurries to put himself closer to the fencing. Just as Wells is about to sit and follow him, Gorimbo strips his legs out beneath him. Wells simply explodes back up to his feet, and he turns Gorimbo to the fence and imposes his weight all while tugging his fingers in the chain links illegally. That makes three, maybe four loud warnings from Tognoni with nothing else to it. Wells turns things around and sits himself down on top of Gorimbo as the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gorimbo
Chris Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Gorimbo
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Gorimbo
Round 2
Wells reintroduces himself to his opponent with a vicious body kick as the round kicks off, and Gorimbo answers him with one right back just as mean and loud. Wells goes low with a calf kick, and Gorimbo stands him up with two straight right hands down the middle. Gorimbo splits the guard with his power right, and he ducks a Wells blitz to counter him with heavy punches. Gorimbo shoots in on the hips for a double, and Wells counters him with a counter choke and pulls guard to lock up what was a guillotine choke. Gorimbo keeps pushing through to bowl Wells over and break out of the submission, where he gets to the guard and revs up his GNP engine. Wells does not want to deal with that, so he bursts to his feet and snatches up a standing choke that he uses to bend Gorimbo over. The Zimbabwe native is able to free himself from the attack, but it is an effort that is rewarded by a successful Wells tackling takedown.
Wells asserts himself in the guard, ripping body shots and some to the head to advance to half guard. Wells stops striking and climbs into mount so he can isolate an arm-triangle choke. Wells looks to pass to the other side, but Gorimbo turns himself to stay close enough to the fence to prevent Wells from getting the proper leverage to pull off the sub. Wells bails on it to get situated in full mount, and he tries for an arm-triangle on the other side. Gorimbo breaks free and turns Wells over, shucking off an armbar setup to put Wells on his back as the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Wells
Chris Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Wells
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Wells
Round 3
Leg kicks fly from both sides as the fighters have no plan on bumping fists, with plenty of time to share pleasantries after the melee concludes. They proceed to share the other’s thinking by striking one after the other, mirroring one another until Gorimbo wants to take the fight horizontally. Wells jumps guard with a guillotine choke, and he has a hook in but does not appear to have Gorimbo in trouble. Gorimbo calmly removes himself from submission danger and positions himself in half guard, only for Wells to sit up and rush to his seat against the wall. Gorimbo pushes off rather than deal with a possible standing choke, and he allows Wells to come to him so he can offer up a head kick. Wells tanks it and shoots in for a single, transitioning it to a double to take “The Answer” off his feet. Gorimbo butt-scoots to the fence, and Wells drags him away from it and gets to mount with 2:40 left in the match.
Gorimbo turns to a side to prevent bombardment that has not yet begun, and Wells instead sets up an arm-triangle choke on the other side. Wells still looks to put himself against the fence, and Gorimbo strategically as it at his side to prevent Wells from locking it down. Wells abandons it and saves himself from falling off the side when Gorimbo moves, and he follows Gorimbo every step of the way and pulls him to his back on the floor. Gorimbo turns over, and Wells hangs on from the side with his arm draped around the chest like a seatbelt that also punches you. Wells grinds down elbows while closely pressed to Gorimbo in side control, and Tognoni slaps Gorimbo’s toes out of the fence as they are pulling on it to try to get him a better spot. He does this with both feet, and Wells is crushing him with elbows. Wells does this until time expires, and we go to the scorecards.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Wells (29-28 Wells)
Chris Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Wells (29-28 Wells)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Wells (29-28 Wells)
The Official Result
Jeremiah Wells def. Themba Gorimbo via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Themba Gorimbo, citing his striking at distance and in the pocket, takedowns, and toughness. He notes Jeremiah Wells is 39 years old and has been out for 19 months, which could lead to fading. He expects Wells to come out hot but fade, while Gorimbo gains steam. He acknowledges Wells' power and jiu-jitsu but thinks Gorimbo's youth and hunger will prevail.
Big Brady picks Jeremiah Wells but is hesitant due to Wells being 39 and inactive for two years. He criticizes Themba Gorimbo's chin, submission defense, and cardio, calling him not sold on. He notes Wells has a wrestling background, trains with Renzo Gracie Philly, and has knockout power. He sees a potential knockout or submission, predicting a first-round submission.
Connor does not make a clear pick for this fight. He discusses the matchup but does not state a preference, focusing on the low level and lack of significance.
Lucrative James picks Themba Gorimbo to win, citing his superior technical striking and grappling compared to Jeremiah Wells. He notes that Wells is 38 years old, has shown deterioration in recent performances, and has pulled out of fights due to injury. Gorimbo is more well-rounded, has good takedown defense, and outgrappled opponents like Ramiz Brahimaj and Nico Price. James also mentions Gorimbo's mental state after a loss, but still favors him stylistically.
Wells is the better grappler with more knockout power. He can take Gorimbo to the mat and find a submission. The host is not sure why there is love for Gorimbo.
The MMA Guru leans towards Themba Gorimbo, citing his volume, range, and recent activity. He thinks Jeremiah Wells is inconsistent with his KO power and aging. He predicts Gorimbo wins by decision, 29-28, though Wells may have moments.
Zane picks Gorimbo because if he can get to a good position, he will cling to it and suck the life out of the fight. He notes that Wells is predictable, charging in and clinching in a cycle, and that Gorimbo resembles Carlston Harris who submitted Wells. He also mentions Wells is 39 and has been injured.
Angelo picks Andreas Gustafsson but is hesitant, citing the risk of a UFC debutant making dumb decisions. He notes Gustafsson's wrestling, power, and youth, but draws a parallel to Gabe Green's recent win over a debutant who made a mistake. He explicitly says he is not betting on this fight due to unknown fight IQ.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Griffin | 0 | 26 of 53 | 49% | 36 of 65 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:40 |
| Jeremiah Wells | 0 | 32 of 86 | 37% | 43 of 97 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:40 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Griffin | 0 | 6 of 18 | 33% | 13 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
| Jeremiah Wells | 0 | 7 of 26 | 26% | 7 of 26 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:44 | |
| 2 | Max Griffin | 0 | 10 of 16 | 62% | 11 of 17 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:14 |
| Jeremiah Wells | 0 | 17 of 36 | 47% | 17 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:56 | |
| 3 | Max Griffin | 0 | 10 of 19 | 52% | 12 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:16 |
| Jeremiah Wells | 0 | 8 of 24 | 33% | 19 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Griffin | 26 of 53 | 49% | 21 of 48 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 24 of 51 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Jeremiah Wells | 32 of 86 | 37% | 27 of 76 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 3 | 32 of 85 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Griffin | 6 of 18 | 33% | 5 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jeremiah Wells | 7 of 26 | 26% | 7 of 24 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 7 of 25 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Max Griffin | 10 of 16 | 62% | 8 of 14 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 14 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Jeremiah Wells | 17 of 36 | 47% | 13 of 30 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 17 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Max Griffin | 10 of 19 | 52% | 8 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jeremiah Wells | 8 of 24 | 33% | 7 of 22 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 8 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Wells (-170), Griffin (+142)
Round 1
Action will be on display as these two offense-first welterweights enter the cage. This is a crucial contest for the 38-year-old Griffin (19-11, 7-8 UFC), who could get back to .500 with a win. All he has to do is get past the fast and frenetic Wells (12-3-1, 4-1 UFC), who is only one year his junior. These elder statesmen at 170 pounds will be officiated by referee Chris Tognoni, and they have no interest in touching them up as Wells instead spins with a heel kick to the midsection unexpectedly. Griffin deftly avoids it and he proceeds to stalk Wells down, chasing him around the cage for about 30 seconds without throwing anything. Wells spins with a wheel kick that glances off the side of Griffin’s head, and he keeps moving by spinning with an elbow that dings Griffin again. Griffin backs off instead of trying to counter, and Wells feints and stomps the floor with loud screams. Griffin acknowledges him with a sharp jab in response, but it is one-and-done as he continues to follow Wells around. Wells gets a jab back with his own, and Griffin surges ahead with a trio of punches. Wells dips back, and Griffin gives chase with a few more heavy shots until Wells retreats out of range. The two continue to measure one another for long stretches of inactivity, perhaps a little too respectful of one another’s power. Wells connects with a left hand, and he blitzes forward with another left hook and enough forward momentum that allows him to tackle Griffin to the canvas. Griffin fights back to his feet by wall-walking, and Wells presses on him with his full body weight. Wells ropes out several haymakers that sting Griffin, but Griffin manages to catches his opponent with a short right hand. Wells keeps a decent poker face despite being stung, and Griffin scores another right that makes Wells think twice about exchanging. Griffin’s own advancing gets him into range, and he secures a sudden takedown that puts Wells on his back for the remainder of the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Wells
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Wells
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Wells
Round 2
The welterweights are tentative to engage to start off the round, both leading with single jabs but otherwise operating with plenty of fakes and feints but few actual committed strikes. Griffin keeps Wells on his back foot, and he holds his guard high to block a huge overhand right from Wells. Griffin is out of range when a subsequent wrecking ball of a left hook comes his way, and he does not bite when Wells fakes a spin. Wells attempts a front kick that grazes off the body, and he swats out a left hand that is parried. Griffin connects with a right hand, and Wells welcomes the exchange and hurls himself forward into the melee. Both men crack one another with violent blows, and Griffin’s chin holds together as he is pressed towards the fencing. After jockeying for position, the two split up and they return to kickboxing range. Wells, his nose bleeding, pokes out a jab and then swings a left hook that would blow Tognoni’s hair back if he had any. Wells connects with a body kick, and he spins with a kick to the same target as Griffin grimaces. Griffin eats a jumping kick to the body and a right hand on the chin, but he still manages to reply with a short right hand that gives Wells brief pause. Wells fires off a side kick that careens off the guard, and he doubles up on a jab as well. Wells reaches in with a left, but Griffin catches him with a right that makes Wells back off. Griffin comes at him to throw hands, and Wells practically sprints towards him so he can tie Griffin up again. This clinch position ends the round, and Griffin takes him down after the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Wells
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Wells
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Wells
Round 3
Wells leads the dance with a spinning kick to the ribs, and Griffin grunts when it lands flush. Wells throws a sloppy right hand, and Griffin sees it coming and replies with a short right that Wells does not like. After another agonizing stretch of feinting, Wells lashes out with two hooks, and even though Griffin blocks it, they hurt. Griffin replies with a single kick, and they reset and start jabbing. Griffin times another big punch from Wells and beats him to the punch with a short right, but Wells continues throwing bombs and keeps Griffin cautious. Wells lobs haymakers as they soar past Griffin, and Griffin gets one shot in and makes Wells shake it off. The welterweights whiff on concussive blows, and Griffin dances out of the way when Wells jumps with a stomp kick aimed at his knee. Both men miss the mark with looping strikes, just out of range from one another. Wells spins with a wheel kick, and the crook of his knee wraps around the back of Griffin’s head as Griffin times an explosion forward in pursuit of a takedown. The resulting collision pushes Wells back against the fence, and he holds him there without doing much else. Wells slaps Griffin a few times on the ear, and the strange fight comes to a conclusion when the final bell sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Griffin (29-28 Wells)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Griffin (29-28 Wells)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Griffin (29-28 Wells)
The Official Result
Max Griffin def. Jeremiah Wells via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Angelo highlights Jeremiah Wells' well-rounded game, with explosive hands and high-level BJJ, and notes that Wells transitions effortlessly to grappling. He thinks Max Griffin's punches lose power later in fights, and that Wells will get takedowns and grind out a win. He acknowledges Griffin's toughness but believes Wells will be too much, though he will be biting his nails.
Big Brady picks Max Griffin as an underdog. He notes that Griffin is bigger, more experienced, has better technical striking and volume, and has good takedown defense. He acknowledges Wells' power and physicality but believes Griffin can win as long as he avoids a big shot.
Cody picks Griffin as a dog, noting Wells has fought low-level competition and has cardio issues. Griffin has fought better guys and has sneaky power, with knockdowns in recent fights. Cody thinks Wells will tire in later rounds, and Griffin's wrestling and durability will be key. He sees clear value on Griffin at plus money.
Wells is very dangerous early with power and top pressure. Griffin is 38 and has faltered against tougher opponents. Wells should be able to secure an early knockout or grind out a decision. The odds are a bit close, but Wells' power and tenacity should be the difference. Griffin's experience may not be enough to stay away from Wells' danger.
Paul also picks Griffin, echoing Cody's points. He notes Wells' opponents have a combined 0-7 record after fighting him, indicating he is being protected. Griffin is a step up in competition and has the skills to win. Paul thinks Griffin's power and experience will be too much for Wells.
The MMA Guru picks Jeremiah Wells because he believes Wells can out-grapple Max Griffin, especially in the first two rounds. He notes that Griffin has shown a tendency to break when put in a losing position. He also thinks Wells has more power on the feet, even if his standup is slightly worse. He does not see Griffin having the submission ability to catch Wells like Carlston Harris did.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlston Harris | 0 | 18 of 48 | 37% | 41 of 78 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 2 | 0 | 9:26 |
| Jeremiah Wells | 0 | 5 of 19 | 26% | 19 of 36 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:13 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carlston Harris | 0 | 3 of 8 | 37% | 10 of 16 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 2 | 0 | 4:24 |
| Jeremiah Wells | 0 | 0 of 0 | --- | 6 of 7 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Carlston Harris | 0 | 13 of 22 | 59% | 29 of 44 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:34 |
| Jeremiah Wells | 0 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 9 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Carlston Harris | 0 | 2 of 18 | 11% | 2 of 18 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:28 |
| Jeremiah Wells | 0 | 4 of 15 | 26% | 4 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:13 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlston Harris | 18 of 48 | 37% | 16 of 46 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 25 | 2 of 3 | 11 of 20 |
| Jeremiah Wells | 5 of 19 | 26% | 1 of 14 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carlston Harris | 3 of 8 | 37% | 2 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 5 |
| Jeremiah Wells | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Carlston Harris | 13 of 22 | 59% | 12 of 21 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 15 |
| Jeremiah Wells | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Carlston Harris | 2 of 18 | 11% | 2 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 17 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Jeremiah Wells | 4 of 15 | 26% | 1 of 11 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Wells (-130), Harris (+110)
Round 1
Jason Herzog gets his first assignment of the night for this welterweight bout. Wells moves in with a standing side kick that sends Harris into the cage. Wells explodes into punching range then assumes top position after a failed Harris takedown. Wells is working from half guard, covering Harris’ mouth with his glove. Wells stays heavy on top, grinding his forearm into his foe’s face. As Harris attempts to stand, Wells secures a brabo choke. They roll over into the center of the cage, with Harris on his back now. The choke is not properly applied, but Wells continues to drive his shoulder. Wells adjusts the position, and now he has a ninja choke. Wells has a tight squeeze, but Harris defends with his back to the mat. Harris scrambles to his feet and Wells drives him into the fence. Wells drops for a single leg, adjusts and connects his hands before pulling Harris off the cage and planting him on the canvas. Wells has Harris mounted near the fence, controlling the wrist of his opponent. Wells goes back to half guard and tees off with left hands. He ends the round with more left hands on his grounded foe.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Wells
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Wells
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Wells
Round 2
Wells steps in with an uppercut-left hand combination. A spinning attack from Wells misses the mark, but he shoves Harris to the mat and takes top position. He lands some solid shots and then puts Harris back on the mat. Harris scoots to a seated position with his back to the fence, but Wells is still heavy on top. Wells passes to mount, then returns to half guard. Harris is being overpowered here. Every time he posts, Wells lifts the legs and adjusts his position. Wells is back in half guard, landing the occasional right hand. Wells continues to grind away, but Harris can do no better than a seated position. Wells puts him on his back and drops some heavy elbows. Wells’ offense has been more forceful from inside Harris’ full guard, as he ends the round with more solid elbows.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Wells
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Wells
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Wells
Round 3
Wells comes out winging heavy leather, but Harris is avoiding the majority of it. Wells uses his punches to shoot for a takedown. Harris defends with a choke and they separate. Harris lands a nice punch to the body, but Wells shoots a powerful takedown. Harris defends well and goes to the mat,
locking in an anaconda choke in the process. For a moment it doesn’t seem like Wells is in danger, but Harris flips him to his back and lifts his foe’s head. Harris maintains the grip and Herzog steps in to take a look. Wells is unconscious
and this one, along with his four-bout UFC winning streak, is over. A nice comeback victory for Harris.
The Official Result
Carlston Harris def. Jeremiah Wells via Submission (Anaconda Choke) R3 1:50
Angelo picks Jeremiah Wells but is hesitant, noting the fight is very close. He gives Wells a slight edge in wrestling and notes his toughness after being dropped twice in his last fight. He acknowledges Carlston Harris has a better chin and is dangerous on the ground. Angelo does not place a bet because Harris is dangerous, but thinks Wells will get it done.
Big Brady thinks this is a very close fight and expects a first-round knockout. He notes both fighters have power and are hittable. He picks Harris slightly because he thinks Harris can land a big shot and Wells won't be able to grapple his way out like he did against Semelsberger. He predicts Harris by first-round KO.
Cody is confident in Harris as an underdog, citing his unorthodox striking, reach (77 inches), power, and BJJ black belt. He notes Wells' struggles against grapplers and his tendency to get rocked. He believes Harris can chop Wells up on the feet and has a good chance of finishing inside the distance.
Daniel Levi leans toward Carlston Harris, citing his length, jab, and volume striking. He worries about Wells' wrestling success but thinks Harris can defend takedowns and pick him apart at range. Levi notes both fighters have questionable chins, but believes Harris' activity and process give him an edge. He sees this as a dog-or-pass situation and prefers Harris at plus money.
James disagrees with the line moving toward Harris. He acknowledges Harris's front choke series is dangerous, especially if Wells shoots. However, he thinks Wells has insane punching power and good takedown top upside. He believes Wells is the deserved favorite but says it's not a hill he wants to die on.
Both fighters are reckless strikers looking for knockouts, but Wells is shorter and stockier while Harris is long and lanky. Wells has a slight edge in Jiu-Jitsu, but Harris has a better gas tank. I think Wells gets an early knockout under 2.5 rounds, likely in the first, but I don't have any real interest in betting this matchup.
Paul agrees with Harris, noting that the market has moved and Harris is now the rightful favorite. He cites Wells' poor performance against Samuelsberger and his vulnerability early. He plans to take a small bet on Harris and considers a live bet after the first round.
The host picks Jeremiah Wells, calling him an 'absolute dog' with power and grit. He believes Wells has the power advantage and can get inside, while Harris is lengthy but not on the same level. He notes Wells is a BJJ black belt and can handle grappling exchanges. He likes Wells at -163 or lower, and sees value on Harris as a dog if the line moves.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah Wells | 0 | 36 of 76 | 47% | 86 of 158 | 6 of 10 | 60% | 0 | 0 | 11:12 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 2 | 20 of 37 | 54% | 39 of 59 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:29 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah Wells | 0 | 17 of 38 | 44% | 35 of 69 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:31 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 1 | 11 of 18 | 61% | 15 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:59 | |
| 2 | Jeremiah Wells | 0 | 16 of 33 | 48% | 32 of 59 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:09 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 1 | 6 of 12 | 50% | 19 of 26 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:30 | |
| 3 | Jeremiah Wells | 0 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 19 of 30 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 4:32 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 0 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 5 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah Wells | 36 of 76 | 47% | 29 of 67 | 7 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 28 | 2 of 3 | 24 of 45 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 20 of 37 | 54% | 17 of 33 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 22 | 4 of 5 | 4 of 10 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah Wells | 17 of 38 | 44% | 14 of 34 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 8 | 2 of 3 | 12 of 27 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 11 of 18 | 61% | 10 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 3 of 8 | |
| 2 | Jeremiah Wells | 16 of 33 | 48% | 15 of 31 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 18 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 6 of 12 | 50% | 5 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | |
| 3 | Jeremiah Wells | 3 of 5 | 60% | 0 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 3 of 7 | 42% | 2 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Wells (-110), Semelsberger (-110)
Round 1
The UFC chose violence for this event’s main card opener, as when Wells (11-2-1, 3-0 UFC) and Semelsberger (11-4, 5-2 UFC) get down to business, all hell might break loose. Needing no more introduction as there is about to be some exciting action, referee Marc Goddard takes charge. There is no touch of gloves as Wells practically sprints into action, and Semelsberger catches him with a stiff right hand and stuns him. Wells backs off, gathers his thoughts and charges recklessly again. Semelsberger counters him cleanly and downs his man, and Wells scrambles when he hits the mat instead of getting pounded out by the forceful strikes of “Semi the Jedi.” Wells moves when he needs to, and he stands up to pursue a takedown. Semelsberger stuffs him and jams him against the wall, and the pace slows down from the veritable car crash of offense from before. Wells spins himself deftly to throw Semelsberger down to the floor, and he ends up in the closed guard of his opponent trying to rain down right hands. Semelsberger leans his upper back against the wall to partially sit up, and Wells continues to remains on top pounding on Semelsberger. On his back, Semelsberger tries to hook his toes in the cage to pull off of it, and he is warned for it as Wells smacks Semelsberger with ground strikes. Semelsberger pushes his man off of him, but Wells leaps back on top of him. Semelsberger stands and nearly gives up his back, only for him to wriggle it free and get shoved against the wire. Wells looks for another change in leverage to secure a throw, and he lets go to throw hands. When Semelsberger defends from the oncoming fire, Wells changes levels and successfully hits a double. Wells postures up in the guard to hammer with punches from on high, and the round ends in this position.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Semelsberger
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Wells
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Semelsberger
Round 2
The round begins far less wild than the first, as Semelsberger instead meanders forward to claim the center of the cage with Wells eventually leaping in and out with two punches. They collide with fists at the same time, and a monster left hook from “Semi the Jedi” and a right hand smash into Wells dome and send him wobbling back until he falls over. Semelsberger does not finish the job, instead patiently landing a few shots, before backing off to reset. Wells swings for the bleachers when upright again, and Semelsberger tags him with a sharp right hand to stun him once more. Wells tries to grab his foe and throw him down, but there is nothing to it, so he gets back to striking range to lob bombs. Wells ducks a looping punch and pursues a single this time, and he elevates Semelsberger and drops him hard to the mat. Wells settles for the closed guard to pummel Semelsberger with ground-and-pound, forcing Semelsberger to open up his guard for some better position on his back. Wells calmly sits up and lands a few strikes, with an elbow that he drops down with his full body weight behind. Elbows from Wells continue to land on the forehead, and he hammers the body a few times when Goddard tells him to keep working. Semelsberger looks to set up a high guard, and Wells leaps over it and briefly gets to half guard before being pulled back to the guard again. Wells slashes down with additional elbows, working Semelsberger over effectively until the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Wells
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Wells
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Wells
Round 3
The last round has surprisingly been reached, and unsurprisingly, both men load up on their punches right out of the gate and nail each other. Wells leaps forward with a flying knee that skims off the side of the head, and Semelsberger sneaks through a body shot when his man lands. Wells rushes forward in pursuit of a double, and he scoops Semelsberger up like Matt Hughes and loudly deposits him to the floor. When Semelsberger climbs back upright, Wells quickly slams him back down for an exclamation point. Wells manages to work his way into the half guard as he presses down to keep the moving Semelsberger from standing. Semelsberger turns just enough to isolate a leg to go after a leglock, and Wells is wise to it and circles all the way around to tug his limb free and lower himself into half guard on the other side. Semelsberger sweeps from this position and fights his way upright, but Wells is relentless at trying to bring him right back to the floor. Semelsberger fights off one try, and Wells clasps his hands and lowers Semelsberger to the floor. Semelsberger defends with a kimura, isolating Wells’ left arm with a two-on-one wrist lock, and Wells wrenches it out to wind up on top in half guard again. Semelsberger pulls his opponent back to the guard for a bit of a moral victory, and he tries to set up a triangle choke and pulls his toes on the fence to get them over Wells’ shoulders. Wells shucks it off and moves to the side, and he drives elbows down on Semelsberger’s unguarded face. Semelsberger bursts back to his feet, and Wells slings him back down in a final effort. The horn sounds, and the scorecards could be all over the map depending on how the judges value the power Semelsberger displayed in the opening spurts of the first two rounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Wells (29-28 Wells)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Wells (30-27 Wells)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Wells (29-28 Wells)
The Official Result
Jeremiah Wells def. Matthew Semelsberger via Split Decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)
Angelo picks Jeremiah Wells, citing his power, technical striking, and BJJ black belt. He thinks Wells should be more technically sound on the feet and have better BJJ than Semelsberger. He notes that Semelsberger is tough and has made fools of bettors before, so he is not betting despite seeing value at -135. He is concerned about Wells' wrestling defense against Semelsberger's pressure.
Big Brady picks Jeremiah Wells to win by first-round knockout. He notes that Wells has a ton of power and a very good grappling game, and he mixes in takedowns well. Brady is concerned about Wells's cardio if the fight extends, but he believes Wells will finish Semelsberger early. He also mentions that this could be a good live betting spot if Semelsberger survives the first round, but he expects Wells to get him out of there early.
Cody picks Semelsberger, emphasizing his cardio and ability to go 15 minutes, while Wells is a first-round finisher with suspect gas tank. He notes Semelsberger's takedown defense and striking are good, and he has shown improvement. Cody believes if Semelsberger survives the first round, he will take over and win by decision or late finish. He sees a live betting opportunity to get a better price on Semelsberger after the first round.
Connor picks Semelsberger, noting that he is working hard to overcome his anxiety against punchers. He points out that Semelsberger's approach against Jake Matthews was more assertive and that he has the durability to survive Wells's power. He thinks Semelsberger can take the fight to Wells and wilt him, but admits it's not a smart pick.
Jeremiah Wells has first-round finishing power but fades in later rounds. Matthew Semelsberger is younger, has knockout power of his own, and a better gas tank. Semelsberger can keep distance, stuff takedowns, and take over as Wells slows down. The fight likely ends in a finish, with Semelsberger coming on late to win by TKO. However, Wells could land early, making this a sketchy pick.
Paul picks Wells but is hesitant, acknowledging the points Cody made about cardio. He notes Wells is more explosive and dangerous than AJ Fletcher, who had success against Semelsberger. Paul thinks the price is more accurate now and is not sure he will bet it. He agrees the longer the fight goes, the worse it is for Wells.
The MMA Guru picks Matthew Semelsberger as an underdog. He notes Semelsberger's underrated chin and grappling, and his reach advantage. He thinks Semelsberger's straight punches will counter Wells' looping shots. He cites Semelsberger's competitive fight with Chaos Williams and his performance against Jake Matthews. He predicts a KO in the first round.
Zane picks Wells but is not confident, noting that Wells is a powerful puncher but has no depth to his game. He thinks Semelsberger might be the one to adjust and solve Wells, but he has a feeling that Semelsberger will get shocked and fall out of his groove. He mentions that Wells is like a new 'all the Wally Bong Bosch' and is very awkward.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah Wells | 0 | 3 of 8 | 37% | 3 of 8 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Court McGee | 1 | 7 of 16 | 43% | 7 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah Wells | 0 | 3 of 8 | 37% | 3 of 8 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Court McGee | 1 | 7 of 16 | 43% | 7 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah Wells | 3 of 8 | 37% | 0 of 4 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Court McGee | 7 of 16 | 43% | 7 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah Wells | 3 of 8 | 37% | 0 of 4 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Court McGee | 7 of 16 | 43% | 7 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: McGee (-120), Wells (+100)
Round 1
Even though UFC experience and fight mileage both weigh heavily on “The Crusher” McGee (21-10, 10-9 UFC), he will come into this matchup on his first UFC win streak since 2013. The Utah native will clock in only two years the elder of Wells (10-2-1, 2-0 UFC), who surges into this contest on the heels of four finishes in two rounds or less. Referee Herb Dean might have his hands full for this one, as Wells is darting back and forth and does not engage to touch gloves. Instead, Wells shifts laterally back and forth, and McGee reaches out towards him with a jab to the chest. Wells keeps his range and switches stances constantly, lulling McGee into a rhythm. “The Crusher” simply remains calm and lands a heavy leg kick, and he blocks high when Wells crashes towards him with punches. Wells throws himself off-balance when swinging at him, and McGee blocks the blows and splits the guard with a one-two in response. Wells jumps forward to attack, and he pushes out a jab and a right that comes up short.
The Pennsylvania follows up with a left hook that connects right on the button, and McGee is out cold as he falls with his limbs frozen in rigor mortis down to the canvas. The back of McGee’s head collides with the mat, and when it does, Wells follows him down with two brutal punches, which are all that land until Dean can sprint across the cage to break them up and pull Wells off.
There’s something in the water here today in Austin, as Wells practically did the unthinkable by cleanly knocking McGee all the way out.
The Official Result
Jeremiah Wells def. Court McGee R1 1:34 via KO (Punch)
Angelo picks Court McGee, noting his recent grappling resurgence and dominant wins over Claudio Silva and Ramiz Brahimaj. He believes McGee's takedowns and control will lead to another decision win. He acknowledges Jeremiah Wells' danger but thinks McGee's durability and cardio will prevail.
Big Brady picks Court McGee to win by decision. He believes McGee is the more experienced fighter with better volume and technical striking, and has shown improved wrestling. He notes Wells has power but lacks volume and cardio, and McGee is extremely durable with only one finish loss. He thinks McGee will be the minute winner on the feet and can handle Wells' grappling.
Cody picks McGee, citing his durability, wrestling, and experience. He thinks Wells will come out hot but fade, and McGee will grind him down in rounds 2 and 3. He suggests McGee by decision as a prop.
Daniel Levi is confident in Jeremiah Wells as an underdog, citing Wells' athleticism, power, and black belt jiu-jitsu. He notes Court McGee is 37 and has lost five of his last eight, while Wells is younger and hungrier. Levi likes that Wells is getting plus money and believes he will be too fast and strong for McGee. He is considering a bet on Wells.
Paul agrees with McGee, noting Wells' one-dimensional style and McGee's takedown ability. He thinks McGee can survive the early storm and take over. He suggests waiting to see how round one goes before betting.
The MMA Guru picks Jeremiah Wells to win by KO, noting that Court McGee is 37 and has taken a lot of damage. He believes Wells is a freak athlete with explosive power and good grappling, as shown against Blood Diamond. He predicts Wells will catch McGee with a straight right and finish him in the first round.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah Wells | 0 | 15 of 19 | 78% | 23 of 27 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 1 | 0 | 4:25 |
| Mike Mathetha | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah Wells | 0 | 15 of 19 | 78% | 23 of 27 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 1 | 0 | 4:25 |
| Mike Mathetha | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah Wells | 15 of 19 | 78% | 14 of 17 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 14 of 16 |
| Mike Mathetha | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah Wells | 15 of 19 | 78% | 14 of 17 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 14 of 16 |
| Mike Mathetha | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
No matter what the broadcast displays, the debuting fighter out of City Kickboxing’s name is Mike Mathetha (3-0, 0-0 UFC), and not “Blood Diamond.” That is just his nickname. In his first Octagon appearance with just three pro MMA fights on his belt and an unknown number of kickboxing contests in the past, he will take on the surging powerhouse Wells (9-2-1, 1-0 UFC) at welterweight. Keeping his head on a swivel will be referee Jacob Montalvo, and Wells decides against touching gloves and instead sprints around the edge of the cage to possibly gain momentum and fly out with a strike, but he trips and nearly blows out his ankle. Mathetha crashes in while loading up on a right hand, and he misses it and they clinch up, with Wells trying to take the fight down. The action stalls out with Wells in pursuit of a body lock, but he cannot get the right leverage and cannot trip Mathetha down. Wells opts to lift Mathetha in the air, and he slams him to the mat and immediately lands in mount. “Blood Diamond” turns over, and he gives up his back while Wells hunts for a quick rear-naked choke. Wells flattens Mathetha out as Mathetha turns to his side, and Wells slugs away at him before latching on to another rear-naked choke. The City Kickboxing fighter turns into the choke with his chin tucked, stifling the submission, and Wells postures up to blast Mathetha with high elbows and punches. Mathetha gets to his knees, only to get wrenched back down, all while Wells works him over with punches. Wells pounds on Mathetha with right hands, and a strike or two hits the back of the head without any protest. Wells goes for another rear-naked choke, and bails on it to find a better angle as Mathetha sits up.
“Blood Diamond” makes a grave mistake by trying to stand without fighting off the choke, and he falls down to the mat when Wells sinks in the choke once and for all. Without any hooks in, the Philadelphia native squeezes with all his might, and “Blood Diamond” goes out on his shield and falls unconscious instead of tapping out.
Wells lets Montalvo know Wells is sleeping, Montalvo checks Mathetha’s arm, and it is limp. Montalvo intervenes quickly, and Mathetha comes to soon enough with no harm done.
The Official Result
Jeremiah Wells def. Mike Mathetha R1 4:38 via Technical Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Angelo picks Jeremiah Wells because he is the more complete MMA fighter with solid takedowns and very good BJJ. He acknowledges that Mathetha is a dangerous striker but believes Wells can close the distance, drop down for takedowns, and work his jiu-jitsu. He notes that Wells' striking is wild but sets up his grappling.
Big Brady is confident in Jeremiah Wells due to his well-rounded skills, power, and cardio. He notes Wells trains at Renzo Gracie Philly and has a legit black belt in BJJ with good wrestling. He expects Wells to take down Blood Diamond and submit him in the first round, as Blood Diamond's competition has been weak and his takedown defense is questionable. Brady also mentions Wells has never been knocked out.
Cody agrees, noting Wells' BJJ black belt and power. He thinks Mathetha's lack of ground game and poor fundamentals will be exposed. He expects Wells to finish early, possibly by submission.
Daniel Levi picks Jeremiah Wells, citing his experience, black belt in jiu-jitsu, and improvement on the feet. He notes that Mike Mathetha is a kickboxer transitioning to MMA with only three fights and a two-year layoff. Levi believes Wells will use his grappling to expose Mathetha's lack of MMA experience.
Wells is a strong grappler who should easily take Mathetha down and finish him. Mathetha is a kickboxer with poor takedown defense and has been controlled against the cage in past fights. Wells has seen harder shots and has cardio comparable to Mathetha. The inside the distance line at -125 is the best play as Wells should get a finish.
Paul is very confident in Wells, citing his grappling advantage and power. He notes Mathetha has no ground game and is a kickboxer with sloppy technique. He expects Wells to take him down and submit him early.
The MMA Guru picks Jeremiah Wells to win by first-round KO. He criticizes Mike Mathetha's kickboxing level, calling him clumsy and overhyped, while noting Wells' explosive power and grappling advantage. He believes the debut pressure will be too much for Mathetha.
Themba Gorimbo - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Micallef | 0 | 55 of 112 | 49% | 83 of 147 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 1 | 3:26 |
| Themba Gorimbo | 0 | 39 of 90 | 43% | 74 of 132 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 5:25 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan Micallef | 0 | 6 of 20 | 30% | 11 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:11 |
| Themba Gorimbo | 0 | 11 of 23 | 47% | 23 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:49 | |
| 2 | Jonathan Micallef | 0 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 7 of 15 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0:57 |
| Themba Gorimbo | 0 | 5 of 15 | 33% | 23 of 40 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:41 | |
| 3 | Jonathan Micallef | 0 | 45 of 85 | 52% | 65 of 106 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
| Themba Gorimbo | 0 | 23 of 52 | 44% | 28 of 57 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:55 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Micallef | 55 of 112 | 49% | 39 of 94 | 13 of 15 | 3 of 3 | 46 of 99 | 7 of 9 | 2 of 4 |
| Themba Gorimbo | 39 of 90 | 43% | 22 of 70 | 3 of 6 | 14 of 14 | 34 of 83 | 2 of 4 | 3 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan Micallef | 6 of 20 | 30% | 2 of 16 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 14 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 2 |
| Themba Gorimbo | 11 of 23 | 47% | 5 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 5 | 9 of 20 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jonathan Micallef | 4 of 7 | 57% | 1 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 2 |
| Themba Gorimbo | 5 of 15 | 33% | 5 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 11 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 3 | |
| 3 | Jonathan Micallef | 45 of 85 | 52% | 36 of 74 | 7 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 42 of 82 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Themba Gorimbo | 23 of 52 | 44% | 12 of 38 | 2 of 5 | 9 of 9 | 23 of 52 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Micallef (9-1; 2-0 UFC) looks to keep his Octagon record spotless against Gorimbo (14-6; 4-3 UFC), who is tasked with snapping the first losing streak of his career in hostile territory. Lukas Bosacki draws the referee assignment. Micallef is southpaw, Gorimbo orthodox, and both men reach out with awkward rear-hand punches in the opening moments. Gorimbo closes the distance and shoves Micallef to the fence. They pummel for position briefly, then disengage and return to the center of the cage. Gorimbo clocks Micallef with a right hand in the pocket, but can’t follow it with anything of consequence. Micallef lands a good left hand of his own, then eats another hard right from Gorimbo. Micallef connects with a pair of punches upstairs and Gorimbo clinches. They fight for underhooks against the fence. Two minutes to go in the round and it’s Micallef on the outside, shoving Gorimbo into the cage. Gorimbo reverses the position. They exchange knees inside. Micallef hits a lovely foot sweep and dumps Gorimbo to the canvas. Micallef is in Gorimbo’s full guard, then postures up and drops a couple of hard punches. Gorimbo starts to pop up, but Micallef drives him back to the ground and threatens to take his back. Gorimbo stands, giving up his back briefly, but spins out of it and returns to his feet. They collide in the pocket and the round ends. 10-9 Micallef.
Round 2
Gorimbo comes forward swinging big, but the punches glance off of Micallef’s guard. He throws another salvo of punches and several of them connect. He closes the distance and grabs a body lock, dragging Micallef to his knees, but the Australian pops right back up. Gorimbo drives Micallef to the fence, keeping the body lock, but Micallef shucks him off and grabs a single-leg. He looks about to finish the takedown, but falls back off-balance with Gorimbo on top. Gorimbo is in Micallef’s full guard, and as he looks to pass, Micallef throws his legs up for a triangle choke. He can’t secure it, and Gorimbo is very close to passing his guard against the fence. Micallef kicks Gorimbo all the way off of him, but Gorimbo dives straight back into guard. Micallef controls Gorimbo’s wrists and tries another triangle setup. Gorimbo sniffs it out easily and passes Micallef’s guard, then takes his back in a flash. There’s a full minute left as Gorimbo cinches up a body triangle from back mount. Micallef fights off Gorimbo’s initial attempts at a choke, then squirms and, Anthony Pettis-like, spins all the way out of back mount into guard. Micallef gets in a couple of punches right before the horn. 10-9 Gorimbo.
Round 3
Gorimbo just touches with a right high kick, and Micallef answers with a right hand. Gorimbo is active with the kicks early, tagging Micallef’s lead leg. Micallef throws a right kick to the body and Gorimbo catches the kick, then counters with a right hand up top. Gorimbo times Micallef’s next kick and plows him to the canvas. They pop back up seconds later and Gorimbo drives Micallef to the fence. Micallef reverses the position. They separate and go back to kickboxing, and Gorimbo immediately goes back to work with low kicks. Micallef answers with a few kicks of his own, but seems to be trying to measure his man for a counterpunch. Micallef gets the better of a boxing exchange, and Gorimbo changes levels for a single-leg attempt. He holds onto the leg and shoves Micallef to the fence, but Micallef extricates the leg and nails Gorimbo with a pair of punches. Gorimbo suddenly looks very tired. Micallef lights him up with a three-piece. Gorimbo has slowed but is still very much in the fight, blasting Micallef’s lead right leg with another calf kick. Micallef throws a spinning backfist that lands cleanly. Under 30 seconds left and Micallef surges forward with spinning attacks and a series of big punches, trying for the last-second finish, but nothing of consequence lands. The horn sounds, and it should be his fight anyway, on our scorecard at least. 10-9 Micallef (29-28 Micallef).
The Official Result
Jonathan Micallef def. Themba Gorimbo via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
Angelo picks Jonathan Micallef because he believes Micallef's pressure wrestling will neutralize Themba Gorimbo's range striking. He expects Micallef to crowd Gorimbo, take away his distance, and drag him to the ground for control. Angelo also mentions the possibility of Australian judges favoring Micallef in a close fight.
Big Brady picks Jonathan Micallef to win by submission in the second or third round. He criticizes Themba Gorimbo's style as panic wrestling and notes his poor durability and submission defense. Brady believes Micallef is dangerous everywhere, especially with his kicks, and that Gorimbo will make a mistake in the grappling as he slows down, leading to a submission.
Cody picks Micallef, noting his youth and improvement. He believes Micallef's grappling and submission skills will overcome Gorimbo's wrestling, and likes the submission prop.
Connor picks Micallef, agreeing that Gorimbo is a mess who overwhelms bad athletes but gets flung around by good ones. He notes Micallef is a good athlete with reach and a high-output kicking game, and Gorimbo's wrestling is not good enough to neutralize him. He calls it a worthwhile test for Micallef.
Daniel Vreeland leans towards Jonathan Micallef to win a split decision, but is not confident. He thinks Gorimbo may win the first round but fade, while Micallef's body lock and kicking game could take over. He notes the odds are off but doesn't trust Gorimbo.
Lucrative James picks Jonathan Micallef to win via submission. He believes Micallef's jiu-jitsu is a level above Gorimbo's, and expects Gorimbo to make a grappling mistake that Micallef can capitalize on. He notes Gorimbo's training in North Ossetia may improve his wrestling, but still favors Micallef's submission skills.
The host thinks Micallef is the better and stronger fighter, with a grappling edge that will show in deeper waters. He expects Micallef to grind out a decision, but advises waiting for a better line as Gorimbo may get public support. The host notes Micallef's strength and grappling ability, while Gorimbo's reckless striking and recent losses are concerns.
Paul picks Micallef, citing his submission skills and Gorimbo's tendency to get taken down. He believes Micallef will catch a submission off his back or win a decision.
The MMA Guru picks Jonathan Micallef, highlighting his well-rounded skills and durability. He criticizes Themba Gorimbo's recent performances, especially the loss to Jeremiah Wells where Gorimbo made mistakes. He notes Micallef's power and athleticism, and predicts a submission win.
Zane picks Micallef confidently, noting his high-output kicking game and reach will trouble Gorimbo, who is a blanketer with rudimentary striking. He thinks Micallef is a much better athlete and sniper, and Gorimbo's wrestling is sacrificial and not good enough to hold Micallef down. He sees it as a sensible matchup for Micallef.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah Wells | 0 | 32 of 53 | 60% | 59 of 84 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 3 | 0 | 6:05 |
| Themba Gorimbo | 0 | 18 of 33 | 54% | 80 of 102 | 6 of 9 | 66% | 0 | 1 | 5:39 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah Wells | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 2 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:57 |
| Themba Gorimbo | 0 | 4 of 4 | 100% | 29 of 34 | 4 of 6 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 3:36 | |
| 2 | Jeremiah Wells | 0 | 14 of 26 | 53% | 27 of 41 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 2:15 |
| Themba Gorimbo | 0 | 10 of 22 | 45% | 33 of 46 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 1 | 0:52 | |
| 3 | Jeremiah Wells | 0 | 17 of 24 | 70% | 30 of 38 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 2 | 0 | 2:53 |
| Themba Gorimbo | 0 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 18 of 22 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:11 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah Wells | 32 of 53 | 60% | 23 of 43 | 5 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 21 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 14 |
| Themba Gorimbo | 18 of 33 | 54% | 8 of 22 | 9 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 15 of 30 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah Wells | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Themba Gorimbo | 4 of 4 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | |
| 2 | Jeremiah Wells | 14 of 26 | 53% | 9 of 20 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 4 | 12 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 |
| Themba Gorimbo | 10 of 22 | 45% | 7 of 18 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Jeremiah Wells | 17 of 24 | 70% | 13 of 20 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 10 |
| Themba Gorimbo | 4 of 7 | 57% | 1 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Gorimbo (-140); Wells (+110)
Round 1
In the “featured fight of the night” slot, a pair of 170-pound brawlers with matching 4-2 records in the promotion try to improve their fortunes at the expense of the other. Wells (12-4-1, 4-2 UFC) likely has his back against the wall more of the two, as he turned 39 on Thursday. Gorimbo (14-5, 4-2 UFC) is no spring chicken, but at 34, he still has at least a half decade left if history is any indication. Drawing the assignment for this pairing is referee Chris Tognoni, who will be on his A-game for as long as this lasts. They do not touch gloves.
Both fighters bounce back and forth towards one another, and after 20 seconds of that, Wells lets loose a kick. Gorimbo responds with a double-leg takedown, grounding the Philadelphia native for a moment. Wells bounces back to his feet, and Gorimbo uses full-on muscle to throw him back to the mat. Wells pulls his finger in the fence to try to improve his position, and when he tries again, Tognoni shouts him down. In the meantime, Gorimbo has advanced to full mount, and he forces Wells to turn over when he is about to engage with ground-and-pound. Wells twists to his knees and grabs hold of Gorimbo’s right hand to control it and prevent him from getting struck. He uses this limb control to stand up and subsequently attempt a trip takedown. “The Answer” answers him with a throw that plants the Renzo Gracie Philly product flat on his back.
Gorimbo controls with right hands as Wells tries to scramble, and Wells still works his way to the cage and grabs the fence immediately. Gorimbo chucks him to the floor like a sack of potatoes and reassumes top position. When Gorimbo sits up to blast with ground strikes, Wells scurries to put himself closer to the fencing. Just as Wells is about to sit and follow him, Gorimbo strips his legs out beneath him. Wells simply explodes back up to his feet, and he turns Gorimbo to the fence and imposes his weight all while tugging his fingers in the chain links illegally. That makes three, maybe four loud warnings from Tognoni with nothing else to it. Wells turns things around and sits himself down on top of Gorimbo as the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gorimbo
Chris Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Gorimbo
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Gorimbo
Round 2
Wells reintroduces himself to his opponent with a vicious body kick as the round kicks off, and Gorimbo answers him with one right back just as mean and loud. Wells goes low with a calf kick, and Gorimbo stands him up with two straight right hands down the middle. Gorimbo splits the guard with his power right, and he ducks a Wells blitz to counter him with heavy punches. Gorimbo shoots in on the hips for a double, and Wells counters him with a counter choke and pulls guard to lock up what was a guillotine choke. Gorimbo keeps pushing through to bowl Wells over and break out of the submission, where he gets to the guard and revs up his GNP engine. Wells does not want to deal with that, so he bursts to his feet and snatches up a standing choke that he uses to bend Gorimbo over. The Zimbabwe native is able to free himself from the attack, but it is an effort that is rewarded by a successful Wells tackling takedown.
Wells asserts himself in the guard, ripping body shots and some to the head to advance to half guard. Wells stops striking and climbs into mount so he can isolate an arm-triangle choke. Wells looks to pass to the other side, but Gorimbo turns himself to stay close enough to the fence to prevent Wells from getting the proper leverage to pull off the sub. Wells bails on it to get situated in full mount, and he tries for an arm-triangle on the other side. Gorimbo breaks free and turns Wells over, shucking off an armbar setup to put Wells on his back as the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Wells
Chris Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Wells
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Wells
Round 3
Leg kicks fly from both sides as the fighters have no plan on bumping fists, with plenty of time to share pleasantries after the melee concludes. They proceed to share the other’s thinking by striking one after the other, mirroring one another until Gorimbo wants to take the fight horizontally. Wells jumps guard with a guillotine choke, and he has a hook in but does not appear to have Gorimbo in trouble. Gorimbo calmly removes himself from submission danger and positions himself in half guard, only for Wells to sit up and rush to his seat against the wall. Gorimbo pushes off rather than deal with a possible standing choke, and he allows Wells to come to him so he can offer up a head kick. Wells tanks it and shoots in for a single, transitioning it to a double to take “The Answer” off his feet. Gorimbo butt-scoots to the fence, and Wells drags him away from it and gets to mount with 2:40 left in the match.
Gorimbo turns to a side to prevent bombardment that has not yet begun, and Wells instead sets up an arm-triangle choke on the other side. Wells still looks to put himself against the fence, and Gorimbo strategically as it at his side to prevent Wells from locking it down. Wells abandons it and saves himself from falling off the side when Gorimbo moves, and he follows Gorimbo every step of the way and pulls him to his back on the floor. Gorimbo turns over, and Wells hangs on from the side with his arm draped around the chest like a seatbelt that also punches you. Wells grinds down elbows while closely pressed to Gorimbo in side control, and Tognoni slaps Gorimbo’s toes out of the fence as they are pulling on it to try to get him a better spot. He does this with both feet, and Wells is crushing him with elbows. Wells does this until time expires, and we go to the scorecards.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Wells (29-28 Wells)
Chris Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Wells (29-28 Wells)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Wells (29-28 Wells)
The Official Result
Jeremiah Wells def. Themba Gorimbo via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Themba Gorimbo, citing his striking at distance and in the pocket, takedowns, and toughness. He notes Jeremiah Wells is 39 years old and has been out for 19 months, which could lead to fading. He expects Wells to come out hot but fade, while Gorimbo gains steam. He acknowledges Wells' power and jiu-jitsu but thinks Gorimbo's youth and hunger will prevail.
Big Brady picks Jeremiah Wells but is hesitant due to Wells being 39 and inactive for two years. He criticizes Themba Gorimbo's chin, submission defense, and cardio, calling him not sold on. He notes Wells has a wrestling background, trains with Renzo Gracie Philly, and has knockout power. He sees a potential knockout or submission, predicting a first-round submission.
Connor does not make a clear pick for this fight. He discusses the matchup but does not state a preference, focusing on the low level and lack of significance.
Lucrative James picks Themba Gorimbo to win, citing his superior technical striking and grappling compared to Jeremiah Wells. He notes that Wells is 38 years old, has shown deterioration in recent performances, and has pulled out of fights due to injury. Gorimbo is more well-rounded, has good takedown defense, and outgrappled opponents like Ramiz Brahimaj and Nico Price. James also mentions Gorimbo's mental state after a loss, but still favors him stylistically.
Wells is the better grappler with more knockout power. He can take Gorimbo to the mat and find a submission. The host is not sure why there is love for Gorimbo.
The MMA Guru leans towards Themba Gorimbo, citing his volume, range, and recent activity. He thinks Jeremiah Wells is inconsistent with his KO power and aging. He predicts Gorimbo wins by decision, 29-28, though Wells may have moments.
Zane picks Gorimbo because if he can get to a good position, he will cling to it and suck the life out of the fight. He notes that Wells is predictable, charging in and clinching in a cycle, and that Gorimbo resembles Carlston Harris who submitted Wells. He also mentions Wells is 39 and has been injured.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vicente Luque | 0 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:14 |
| Themba Gorimbo | 0 | 5 of 9 | 55% | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vicente Luque | 0 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:14 |
| Themba Gorimbo | 0 | 5 of 9 | 55% | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vicente Luque | 2 of 6 | 33% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Themba Gorimbo | 5 of 9 | 55% | 1 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vicente Luque | 2 of 6 | 33% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Themba Gorimbo | 5 of 9 | 55% | 1 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Gorimbo (-162), Luque (+136)
Round 1
The non-stop preliminary action continues with a welterweight contest that some are considering a “passing of the torch” bout—except the two are the same age. With far more fight miles, Luque (22-10-1, 15-6 UFC) is the grizzled veteran, while Gorimbo (14-4, 4-1 UFC) has the appearance of a fresh-eyed prospect and currently rides a four-fight win streak in the Octagon. The action begins with referee Mark Smith watching over the 170ers, and they elect not to touch gloves. Both men kick at one another, with Gorimbo doubling up on a low kick and putting another leg kick after a one-two. Luque unloads a short, fierce right hand and catches Gorimbo on the side of the head with a left, knocking Gorimbo down to the floor. Gorimbo springs forward on his knees, and
Luque latches onto a guillotine that he transitions into a brabo choke and then an anaconda choke that is tight in a hurry. Gorimbo rolls to try to escape the submission, and Luque turns with him to lock the maneuver down completely. With nowhere to go and the blood supply cut off from his head, Gorimbo goes out fast.
Smith is paying close attention and intervenes as soon as Gorimbo loses consciousness. This is an important victory for “The Silent Assassin,” who proves that he is nowhere near done, shutting Gorimbo’s lights out in under a minute.
The Official Result
Vicente Luque def. Themba Gorimbo R1 0:52 via Technical Submission (Anaconda Choke)
Angelo picks Themba Gorimbo, believing the formula to beat Vicente Luque is to take him down, and Gorimbo has the wrestling and cardio to do so. He notes Luque's best days may be behind him after a brain bleed and a loss to Joaquin Buckley. However, he acknowledges Luque is the best fighter Gorimbo has faced and there could be a level gap. He is cautious but leans Gorimbo.
Cody picks Luque, citing his superior striking and submission threat. He notes Gorimbo's limited game and reliance on physicality. He expects Luque to out-strike and potentially submit Gorimbo, though he acknowledges Luque's chin issues.
Connor picks Luque despite acknowledging that Luque is aging and has slowed down, while Gorimbo is a confident, aggressive wrestler with surprising speed. He notes that Gorimbo's game is fundamentally messy and that Luque's level of competition has been much higher. Connor also mentions that Gorimbo is on short notice and that Luque's losses are to elite welterweights. He admits it's a weird pick but hopes Luque wins because Gorimbo's fights are horrible to watch.
Daniel picks Gorimbo because he believes Luque is mentally and physically compromised after a brain bleed. He notes Luque's hesitancy and poor recent performances, while Gorimbo is hungry and will push the pace. He expects an ugly decision win for Gorimbo.
Luque is a much depleted and diminished version of himself recently, reacting badly to shots from Buckley. Gorimbo can put on just as much power and eventually find that big shot to put Luque away. I like the under 2.5 rounds and pick Gorimbo by knockout.
Paul picks Luque, emphasizing his technical striking and experience. He notes Gorimbo's takedown-heavy style but thinks Luque's scrambling and submission defense will neutralize him. He sees Luque as the more polished fighter.
The MMA Guru picks Themba Gorimbo despite being a huge Luque fan. He worries about Luque's chin and ability to handle being put on his back, and thinks Luque is overthinking. He sees Gorimbo taking Luque down and Luque second-guessing himself on the feet. He admits he may regret this pick and will only pick Luque again after he wins.
Zane also picks Luque, but with hesitation. He agrees that Luque is shopworn and has taken a lot of damage, but he believes Gorimbo's game is too bad for Luque to lose to. He notes that Gorimbo is a 'swing and cling' wrestler with poor fundamentals, and that Luque's losses are to elite fighters. Zane is concerned that if Gorimbo wrestles and stalls, Luque could get tired and lose an ugly decision, but he ultimately picks Luque because he hopes he wins.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Themba Gorimbo | 0 | 68 of 127 | 53% | 141 of 223 | 7 of 9 | 77% | 2 | 0 | 9:14 |
| Niko Price | 0 | 16 of 53 | 30% | 58 of 100 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 1:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Themba Gorimbo | 0 | 32 of 67 | 47% | 45 of 87 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 2:46 |
| Niko Price | 0 | 6 of 17 | 35% | 13 of 24 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Themba Gorimbo | 0 | 32 of 53 | 60% | 52 of 76 | 4 of 5 | 80% | 0 | 0 | 1:52 |
| Niko Price | 0 | 9 of 31 | 29% | 19 of 41 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 1:00 | |
| 3 | Themba Gorimbo | 0 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 44 of 60 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 4:36 |
| Niko Price | 0 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 26 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Themba Gorimbo | 68 of 127 | 53% | 44 of 97 | 9 of 15 | 15 of 15 | 43 of 85 | 6 of 13 | 19 of 29 |
| Niko Price | 16 of 53 | 30% | 13 of 43 | 2 of 5 | 1 of 5 | 11 of 48 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Themba Gorimbo | 32 of 67 | 47% | 21 of 55 | 2 of 3 | 9 of 9 | 23 of 47 | 1 of 4 | 8 of 16 |
| Niko Price | 6 of 17 | 35% | 5 of 14 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 2 | 4 of 15 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Themba Gorimbo | 32 of 53 | 60% | 21 of 37 | 6 of 11 | 5 of 5 | 16 of 33 | 5 of 9 | 11 of 11 |
| Niko Price | 9 of 31 | 29% | 7 of 26 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 6 of 28 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Themba Gorimbo | 4 of 7 | 57% | 2 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 |
| Niko Price | 1 of 5 | 20% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Gorimbo (-278), Price (+225)
Round 1
One of two entries tonight in the “welterweight action fight club” will play out next, as Gorimbo (13-4, 3-1 UFC) is entering that category while Price (16-7, 2 NC; 8-7, 2 NC UFC) has been a member practically since day one. Any matchup in that section of 170-pound fighters seems to have a greater likelihood—anecdotally, with those numbers not officially tracked right now—of receiving some sort of “of the night” bonus. Both fighters could use it, as Gorimbo is famous for having seven dollars in his bank account while Price has six kids to feed. Referee Herb Dean will serve as the Octagon ranger, and when he calls for them to fight, they touch gloves. Price walks directly into a front kick when he moves to the center of the cage, and he further gets his bell rung by flying punches from Gorimbo. The Zimbabwe native lets his hands fly, and Price has to reset as he gets clipped with a left hand. Gorimbo aims two thudding leg kicks to the front leg of his foe, and when Price tries to counter with a third, Gorimbo dodges and connects with it. Gorimbo further does damage with his calf kick, and he strings together a pair of straight punches with a step-in knee to the belly. Price takes another chopping kick as he slowly advances, and Gorimbo sticks him with a right hand. Price attempts a body kick, and he gets caught with a fastball of a right hand. Price still marches ever onward, through a low kick and a one-two without flinching. Price squares up, opening him up to three punches, a leg kick and a takedown shot. “The Answer” deposits Price on his back, where he starts working with elbows and punches. Price gets stacked up when attempting an armbar, as Gorimbo punches through it to stop it from materializing. Gorimbo steps over to half guard as Price defends with a kimura sweep, and Gorimbo breaks out of it to open Price up with punches and effective elbows. Price looks to sit up, and Gorimbo hops around to take his back and get both hooks in. Price stands up, and Gorimbo hangs on his foe’s back and grips hold of a neck crank. Price responds by slamming Gorimbo on his head, and Gorimbo rides it out to secure a body triangle. From an awkward angle, the two punch one another until the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gorimbo
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Gorimbo
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gorimbo
Round 2
Price starts out the second round marching Gorimbo down, putting a jab and a front kick in his face early. Gorimbo chains punches together in response, with two up top and then a few to the body. Price retaliates with a body kick, and he catches Gorimbo coming in but still eats a few back. Gorimbo winds up with his power calf kick, and he plants the ball of his foot on Price’s sternum. Price punches his way into a clinch, and Gorimbo shakes him up with left hooks and uppercuts up close before tackling Price to the mat. Price turns to his stomach to survive and stand back up, all while eating clubbing left hands. Price gets to his knees and then back upright, and Gorimbo hurriedly mat returns him. Price once more stands, and Gorimbo is imposing his full weight on him, kneeing him in the breadbasket. They trade knees from close proximity, and Gorimbo tries for a trip on the inside but does not land it. Price turns him around as they dirty box with one another, and Price attacks a double that is easily stifled. Price goes after another double, transitioning to a single as Gorimbo’s hips are wide. Gorimbo turns the corner and knees Price in the chest, and they get back upright and split up. Price stalks a potentially tiring Gorimbo down and slugs him in the chops, getting his attention with power punches until they get clinched. Gorimbo responds with a knee on the break, and Price is out of range. Price marches forward to connect with a one-two, and Gorimbo slaps his front leg and then jabs him to the body with a front kick. Price meanders forward, left eye bloodied, and he walks into a takedown shot. Gorimbo pushes through his hips, tosses aside a leglock and starts smacking Price upside the head. Price stands up, and Gorimbo wrenches him down by imposing his body weight on him. As Price defends with a kimura, the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gorimbo
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Gorimbo
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gorimbo
Round 3
The welterweights reach Round 3, tired and beat up but still ready for another five minutes. Gorimbo leads off with two chopping kicks, hits a third and then goes up top with his other leg. Price sees it coming in the nick of time and defends a subsequent shot with a guillotine choke. Gorimbo powers through the choke to slam Price on his back, opening up with ground-and-pound as Price tries to push off the fence with his foot. Gorimbo controls his man while slinging short right hands, keeping Price trapped between the corner of the floor and the wall. Price again tries to push off the fence, this time tugging on the links with his toes. Dean calls him on this, and Price stops. Price explodes to sit up, only for Gorimbo grind him back down while keeping Price’s right leg laced to stop him from escaping. Price kicks his foe off his chest, and Gorimbo stands and backs up. Price throws a hard kick to the calf from his back, and Gorimbo allows him to do this so he can dive in to reclaim top position. Gorimbo draws further blood with slow but methodical strikes, stepping over to half guard on the other side. Price times this guard pass to burst upright with 55 seconds left in the round. Gorimbo cinches his hands around the waist to dump Price to the floor. Price stands up again through sheer force of will, and Gorimbo hangs on from his back and slides off. Gorimbo looks for an unorthodox banana split, Suloev stretch or kneebar, and time expires before he can get anything.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gorimbo (30-27 Gorimbo)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Gorimbo (30-27 Gorimbo)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gorimbo (30-27 Gorimbo)
The Official Result
Themba Gorimbo def. Niko Price via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Angelo picks Themba Gorimbo, acknowledging that picking against Niko Price is difficult due to his unpredictability. However, he believes Gorimbo is the overall better fighter with a good combination of technical striking, wrestling, and the ability to push forward. He notes that Price can win on any given day but that Gorimbo's skills should prevail.
Big Brady picks Themba Gorimbo to win by first-round knockout. He notes Gorimbo is improving rapidly while Price is diminishing, having been knocked out by Robbie Lawler in 30 seconds and looking poor in recent fights. He questions whether Gorimbo will stand and bang or wrestle, but hopes for an exciting finish. He thinks the line is wild at -375 but still picks Gorimbo. He mentions Gorimbo could also control Price on the ground like he did against Brahimaj.
Connor agrees with Zane, noting that Niko Price has looked bad for years and has no way to stop a takedown. He points out that Price's last funky knockout was in 2019 and he has since struggled. Connor believes Gorimbo's wrestling, though not great, is enough to control Price.
This fight was not discussed in the transcript. No picks were made.
Daniel is unimpressed with Gorimbo's skills, calling him slow and not a future top-15 guy, but he acknowledges that Price may be too washed to capitalize. He loves Price's ability off his back but is not confident enough to pick him. Daniel decides to pass on betting this fight, calling it a 'dog or pass' situation.
The host is surprised the line is so wide, as Gorimbo is on a three-fight winning streak but not all that good. Price has veteran experience and durability; if he holds up early, Gorimbo will struggle to grind him out. Price has a better gas tank and should pull away late, finishing in the second or third round.
The MMA Guru picks Themba Gorimbo, citing his speed advantage on the feet and Price's suspect chin. He notes that Gorimbo is on a three-fight win streak and is being given 'layups' by the UFC. He expects Gorimbo to win by TKO on the feet, as Price is too slow and doesn't have the grappling to take Gorimbo down.
This fight was not discussed in the transcript. No picks were made.
Zane thinks Gorimbo can blanket Price with his wrestling, even though Gorimbo's control is poor and he often stalls in ugly positions. He notes that Price has looked washed for years, lacks preventative skills, and has no way to stop takedowns. Zane acknowledges it's not much but believes Gorimbo can tie Price up and slow him down.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Themba Gorimbo | 0 | 43 of 52 | 82% | 110 of 134 | 5 of 6 | 83% | 0 | 1 | 10:13 |
| Ramiz Brahimaj | 0 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 15 of 20 | 1 of 8 | 12% | 0 | 0 | 3:44 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Themba Gorimbo | 0 | 5 of 5 | 100% | 34 of 37 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 3:20 |
| Ramiz Brahimaj | 0 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 9 of 10 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:06 | |
| 2 | Themba Gorimbo | 0 | 15 of 20 | 75% | 28 of 35 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 3:42 |
| Ramiz Brahimaj | 0 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 4 of 8 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:01 | |
| 3 | Themba Gorimbo | 0 | 23 of 27 | 85% | 48 of 62 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:11 |
| Ramiz Brahimaj | 0 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 2 of 2 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:37 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Themba Gorimbo | 43 of 52 | 82% | 9 of 13 | 31 of 35 | 3 of 4 | 6 of 10 | 35 of 38 | 2 of 4 |
| Ramiz Brahimaj | 3 of 6 | 50% | 0 of 2 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Themba Gorimbo | 5 of 5 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Ramiz Brahimaj | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Themba Gorimbo | 15 of 20 | 75% | 1 of 2 | 12 of 15 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 4 | 13 of 15 | 0 of 1 |
| Ramiz Brahimaj | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Themba Gorimbo | 23 of 27 | 85% | 7 of 10 | 15 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 5 | 18 of 19 | 2 of 3 |
| Ramiz Brahimaj | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Gorimbo (-135), Brahimaj (+114)
Round 1
Full of emotion, Gorimbo (12-4, 2-1 UFC) takes to the cage today and fights with a heavy weight on his shoulders. Earlier in the week, his coach’s mother passed away, and the Zimbabwe native vowed that he would win for her. He faces submission specialist Brahimaj (10-4, 2-2 UFC), who holds a 100% sub rate as a pro but is coming off a nearly career-ending injury. This emotional welterweight clash will be officiated by referee Mark Smith, and the fighters do not bump fists. Gorimbo is the initial aggressor, walking Brahimaj around the cage while measuring his jab. Gorimbo gets off a front kick, and Brahimaj immediately closes in on him to change levels. Gorimbo turns him around and pushes him to the fence, and Brahimaj settles for this position by landing several knees to the belly. Brahimaj turns him about and drags Gorimbo down, bringing Gorimbo on top of him in a sacrifice throw. Brahimaj scoots his way to the wall and stands up without taking any damage, and he knees Gorimbo in the hand to break up his grip momentarily. Gorimbo lifts Brahimaj up in the air but sets him down when he cannot find the right angle to put him on the mat. The two fighters push one another in the clinch, and Brahimaj once more tries to take the fight down only to land on his back. Brahimaj turns to his side and tries to sneak around the back, but Gorimbo stops him from getting anywhere. Brahimaj climbs up with the fence behind him, and Gorimbo knees him a few times. Brahimaj spins him around and delivers a solid knee to the sternum, and Gorimbo answers with his own knee and an elbow for good measure. The grinding round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gorimbo
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gorimbo
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Gorimbo
Round 2
Gorimbo reintroduces himself to his foe with a front kick and a low kick, and he tries another leg kick but is out of range. Brahimaj closes in, and Gorimbo nails him in the calf with a kick. Brahimaj regains his balance and practically runs forward to engage in a clinch. Gorimbo meets him and instantly turns him around, and it does not take long for Smith to ask for more action as they stall out. Brahimaj turns things around with one arm between Gorimbo’s legs, but Gorimbo manages to muscle his opponent down to the floor. Brahimaj considers a guillotine choke, but the leverage is wrong given that his right side is against the cage. Brahimaj sits up and puts his back to the wall, and he stands up. Gorimbo uses a body lock to hurl Brahimaj to the mat, and Brahimaj scrambles to fight his way back upright. Gorimbo leans heavily on his opponent, making life miserable for Brahimaj and the audience watching as he clings with zero offense offered. Brahimaj turns him about and takes a knee to the belly as Smith clasp for them to do something, anything. The wall-and-stall continues as Gorimbo pushes him back to the fence. Brahimaj slides around and attempts to take the back and get hold of a choke, but he falls off the back and goes down to his seat. Brahimaj scoots his way to the wire and stands, and Gorimbo knees him in the groin. Smith tells him to watch out, and they continue embracing the grind. Gorimbo gets off a few more knees and gains enough space to land and elbow, before tripping Brahimaj up and setting him down to the floor. Gorimbo, with one hook around the side, fishes for a one-armed choke. Smith sees there is nothing from this position and asks for more work. There is no more work from either man until the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gorimbo
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gorimbo
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Gorimbo
Round 3
The two have five minutes left to handle their business, and they come out of their corners in a labored pace. Gorimbo strikes first, with a few punches and a leg kick before shooting for a takedown. “The Answer” successfully pushes the submission artist against the wall, but they wind up in the same position they have spent the majority of the lackluster encounter. Brahimaj goes after a single, and Gorimbo gets away with a fence grab to keep himself on his feet. Brahimaj fails to get him down, and Gorimbo turns him around as the grueling tie-up continues. Gorimbo plants a few knees to the belly before he is spun around, and Smith warns someone for grabbing the cage. Nothing happens absent a few minor knees from Gorimbo, and time slowly ticks off the clock as the remain stuck together in the clinch. Brahimaj flirts with a takedown effort but is nowhere close to getting anything, and Smith asks for more work. Gorimbo grinds, grinds and grinds away as he spams short knees. Brahimaj goes after another trip, and for the third time this fight, he falls on his own back feebly. While he manages to get back up without taking any damage, it is because Gorimbo is not striking. Gorimbo wrenches him back down, and he apologizes to UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby for the anti-“Fight of the Night” performance. The kind Shelby flashes him double thumbs-up signs, as he does not wish to kick anyone while they are down. The miserable matchup ends after 15 long minutes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gorimbo (30-27 Gorimbo)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gorimbo (30-27 Gorimbo)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Gorimbo (30-27 Gorimbo)
The Official Result
Themba Gorimbo def. Ramiz Brahimaj via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Angelo sees Themba Gorimbo as a distance striker with good takedown defense and now proven power. Ramiz Brahimaj is a submission specialist who has been away for two years and tends to grapple off his back. Angelo thinks Brahimaj will struggle to get past Gorimbo's range and takedown defense, making Gorimbo the clear pick. He may parlay Gorimbo with Piera Rodríguez.
Cody provides a detailed breakdown: Gorimbo has a great story and work ethic, but his grappling defense is a concern. However, Brahimaj is a one-trick pony who relies on first-round submissions and has terrible cardio if he doesn't get them. Cody notes Brahimaj's losses come when he can't secure a takedown, and Gorimbo's cardio and power should take over if he survives the first round. He also mentions live betting Gorimbo if he loses the first round.
Gorimbo is reckless on the feet and has holes in his game. Brahimaj is a slick BJJ specialist who sets up takedowns well and has finishing ability. Both guys have cardio issues, but Brahimaj should find a submission opportunity early. The fight not going to decision is a strong play.
Paul agrees with Cody that the line has moved to a pick 'em for good reason. He notes Gorimbo's cardio and work ethic are his biggest weapons, while Brahimaj has a history of gassing if he doesn't get a first-round submission. Paul believes Gorimbo's improvements at MMA Masters and his raw power make him the play at this price.
The MMA Guru picks Themba Gorimbo over Ramiz Brahimaj, citing Gorimbo's better finishing potential and training at MMA Masters. He notes that Brahimaj lost to Court McGee, which he considers a bad sign for a prospect. He expects Gorimbo to stuff takedowns and eventually finish Brahimaj in round two or three, possibly due to cardio advantage.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Themba Gorimbo | 1 | 12 of 18 | 66% | 12 of 18 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
| Pete Rodriguez | 0 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Themba Gorimbo | 1 | 12 of 18 | 66% | 12 of 18 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
| Pete Rodriguez | 0 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Themba Gorimbo | 12 of 18 | 66% | 10 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 10 |
| Pete Rodriguez | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Themba Gorimbo | 12 of 18 | 66% | 10 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 10 |
| Pete Rodriguez | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Gorimbo (-245), Rodriguez (+200)
Round 1
Gorimbo and Rodriguez set it off, with Herb Dean the third man in the Octagon. Both welterweights are in orthodox stance. Rodriguez bounces in and out of range, trying to navigate the huge reach disparity.
Gorimbo catches him on one of the “in” bounces with a massive right hand that catches him right on the point of the chin and makes a loud CLACK in the Apex. Rodriguez crumples to the canvas and Gorimbo follows, landing in side control and throwing a stream of unblocked punches until Dean interposes himself for the mercy stoppage.
Nasty work by Themba Gorimbo.
The Official Result
Themba Gorimbo def. Pete Rodriguez R1 0:32 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo is confident Themba Gorimbo will win, citing his distance management and ability to pick apart Pete Rodriguez. He notes that Rodriguez is a brawler with power but sloppy technique. He mentions the line movement and says he will bet on Gorimbo if the line rebounds.
Big Brady picks Themba Gorimbo to win by second-round submission. He notes that Gorimbo is a grappler who will shoot for takedowns early, while Rodriguez has never seen the second round and has poor ground game based on amateur fights. However, Brady has concerns about Gorimbo's cardio, durability, and tendency to be submission over position. He thinks Rodriguez is live if he can keep it standing, but expects Gorimbo to get the sub.
Cody picks Gorimbo, citing his improved training situation and Rodriguez's limited skills. He notes Rodriguez's only path is a first-round KO, while Gorimbo's grappling and reach should control the fight. He expects a submission or decision win.
Gorimbo should implement his grappling game and grind out a finish, but his reckless striking leaves him open to a knockout. Rodriguez is a power puncher but still green and reliant on power. The host expects Gorimbo to win inside the distance, likely in the second round.
Paul picks Gorimbo, noting Rodriguez's lack of grappling and poor weight cut history. He thinks Gorimbo's grappling advantage should be decisive, but he's not betting the fight due to unappealing props.
The MMA Guru picks Themba Gorimbo over Pete Rodriguez, citing Gorimbo's well-roundedness and grappling ability. He notes that Gorimbo now has financial freedom from The Rock's gift, allowing him to focus full-time. He believes if the fight goes past the first round, Gorimbo's chances skyrocket, as Rodriguez is dangerous early but untested beyond that.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Themba Gorimbo | 0 | 30 of 47 | 63% | 56 of 76 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 0 | 1 | 2:21 |
| Takashi Sato | 1 | 33 of 56 | 58% | 110 of 158 | 3 of 8 | 37% | 0 | 2 | 11:15 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Themba Gorimbo | 0 | 3 of 8 | 37% | 15 of 21 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:32 |
| Takashi Sato | 0 | 7 of 16 | 43% | 39 of 57 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 1 | 3:58 | |
| 2 | Themba Gorimbo | 0 | 14 of 17 | 82% | 21 of 25 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 1:14 |
| Takashi Sato | 1 | 18 of 30 | 60% | 40 of 57 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 1 | 3:20 | |
| 3 | Themba Gorimbo | 0 | 13 of 22 | 59% | 20 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:35 |
| Takashi Sato | 0 | 8 of 10 | 80% | 31 of 44 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 3:57 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Themba Gorimbo | 30 of 47 | 63% | 21 of 37 | 9 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 16 | 15 of 16 | 10 of 15 |
| Takashi Sato | 33 of 56 | 58% | 21 of 41 | 12 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 25 | 9 of 12 | 12 of 19 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Themba Gorimbo | 3 of 8 | 37% | 2 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 4 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Takashi Sato | 7 of 16 | 43% | 1 of 9 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 9 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Themba Gorimbo | 14 of 17 | 82% | 9 of 12 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 4 | 11 of 11 | 2 of 2 |
| Takashi Sato | 18 of 30 | 60% | 15 of 25 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 8 | 2 of 4 | 11 of 18 | |
| 3 | Themba Gorimbo | 13 of 22 | 59% | 10 of 18 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 13 |
| Takashi Sato | 8 of 10 | 80% | 5 of 7 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Sato (-110), Gorimbo (-110)
Round 1
The last UFC card before a much-needed weekend off is upon us, and it will be in the form of a dozen-fight showcase at the UFC Apex. There are two ranked fighters on the entire billing, both coming in the main attraction, but with any luck, those numbers will not matter when the cage doors close and the competitors all get after it. The first match of the evening comes in the welterweight division between two men who would very much like a win. With three losses in his last three appearances, Sato (15-6, 2-4 UFC) may need to get his hand raised to stay on the roster. Meanwhile, South Africa’s Gorimbo (10-4, 0-1 UFC) is hoping to have a second chance to make a first impression. This classic Japan vs. South Africa (or Zimbabwe, if you prefer birth nation) battle will be overseen by referee Chris Tognoni and his sweet mustache, and the combatants do not touch gloves before getting started. Gorimbo leads the dance with a head kick early, and follows it with a few punches while Sato bears down on him. Sato blocks another high kick before it can reach his head, and Gorimbo mashes forward to attempt a takedown. Sato stonewalls him and nearly shoves Gorimbo to his back, but he decides instead to stand back up and Gorimbo follows him to the clinch. Gorimbo looks to muscle his man down, and Sato turns the corner and dumps him to his back for a moment. Gorimbo explodes right back up, and he manages to suck Sato’s legs out beneath him and drag him to his seat. Sato moves to his knees while Gorimbo hooks his foe’s legs between one of his own, and he wall-walks to stand back up as Gorimbo continues to jam him up. Gorimbo looks for a trip that does not succeed, and he lifts up a knee to the chest to get a strike off in this position. This allows Sato to turn him around for a second, but Gorimbo powers him back around. “The Answer” answers a potential ref request for more action with another solid knee, and Sato replies with a half-hearted throw that he abandons when he realizes he will need to use much more energy than he is willing to succeed. Gorimbo drills another knee to the solar plexus, and Sato uses a sweep and a body lock to toss his foe to the floor. Gorimbo scrambles wildly, doing enough to get Sato down and circling around to take the back. The South African fighter hooks up a body triangle and starts fishing for a rear-naked choke, and Sato is wise to the attempt and tries to turn to a side to escape. Gorimbo softens him up with short strikes to the side of the head, and he hands on with back control until the horn blares.
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Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gorimbo
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Gorimbo
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gorimbo
Round 2
Sato initiates the second round aggressively, pressuring forward and hoping to turn the tables on Gorimbo after giving up the last round. Gorimbo cocks back a right hand and releases it, blasting the charging Sato in the face and knocking him down to the floor. Sato hits his back and tries to clear out the cobwebs, and Gorimbo leaps down on top of him and tries to jack him up with hammerfists. Sato gathers his thoughts enough to consider a takedown, perhaps in a desperation effort, and the two end up standing up in the clinch. Sato starts driving several knees to the body, and Gorimbo works for another takedown as he turns the Japanese fighter around. Gorimbo looks to hook up a single-leg takedown, and Sato reverses him brilliantly with a head-and-arm throw that deposits Gorimbo to the floor. “Ten” starts fishing for a scarf hold in the advantageous position, and when there is no submission to be found, he sits up. Gorimbo threatens off his back with a leglock, but it does not come anywhere near close before Sato starts smacking him in the face with ground strikes. Gorimbo tugs his toes on the fence to get enough leverage to work his way to his knees and then upright, where he stays bent over to go for a takedown. Sato defends with a series of elbows to the side of the head, and even when he is pulled down to his knees, he continues doing some work with elbows. Gorimbo keeps grinding on him and defends a throw from Sato to stay in this grueling position. Sato breaks away from the clinch and gains some space, but Gorimbo gives chase and wings punches at him until changing levels. The round ends with Gorimbo trying to take the fight down again.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gorimbo
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Gorimbo
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gorimbo
Round 3
With Sato advancing as per usual to start off the round, Gorimbo is prepared and goes after another huge right hand. This time, Sato does not walk face-first into it, and he ducks it to tie the African fighter up. Gorimbo is glad to get back into the close range, where he turns Sato around and drags him down to a knee for a moment. When Sato springs back up, Gorimbo redoubles his effort and hits the takedown he is seeking. Sato falls to his back, with a cut around his right eye starting to bleed. Sato does not remain on his back for long before shifting enough to get to a knee, and Gorimbo again works his way around to take the back. “The Answer” locks his legs around the waist, and Sato grimaces in pain as the position must be causing him no small amount of discomfort. Sato attempts to turn and spin around, but Gorimbo has him locked down. Gorimbo lands occasional punches to both sides of the head to keep Sato guessing, with the strikes more frustrating than damaging. Gorimbo uses one moment to snake his right forearm around the chin, but he cannot sink it under it to lock down the rear-naked choke before Sato defends it. Sato cannot get out of this miserable position, and Gorimbo turns to the side and looks for a side choke. Sato takes advantage of this momentary lapse of judgment and flips Gorimbo to his back, and he starts shelling the African fighter with punches and elbows. Sato unloads a final barrage of blows, with few actually getting through the guard, and time expires before a stoppage is even close. It may have been too little, too late for the Japanese fighter, as the fight is over.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gorimbo (30-27 Gorimbo)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Gorimbo (30-27 Gorimbo)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gorimbo (30-27 Gorimbo)
The Official Result
Themba Gorimbo def. Takashi Sato via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Angelo picks Themba Gorimbo based on his solid grappling and takedown defense shown in the loss to AJ Fletcher. He notes that Gorimbo never looked panicked and can make adjustments on the fly. While Sato is better than his recent record, Angelo believes his best years are behind him.
Big Brady picks Themba Gorimbo to submit Takashi Sato in the second round. He notes that Sato has a massive hole in his takedown defense and ground game, and Gorimbo is the grappler who will exploit that. However, he has concerns about Gorimbo's cardio after his debut against AJ Fletcher, but gives him a pass for short notice. He expects Gorimbo to get takedowns early and submit Sato, though he advises against going all-in on this fight.
Cody gives Sato a slight edge due to his power and experience. He notes Gorimbo's durability issues and thinks Sato's kickboxing could be decisive. He is not confident and calls it a 50-50 fight.
Connor also picks Gorimbo, agreeing that his pace and aggression will be key. He notes that Sato is a solid defensive wrestler but will be tested immediately and repeatedly because he doesn't do anything. Connor expects an ugly fight but sees Gorimbo's pace winning out.
Daniel Levi picks Themba Gorimbo, citing confidence and mental state. He questions Takashi Sato's ability to rebound from a brutal knockout loss (head kick, back of head to canvas) and thinks Sato may be hesitant. He notes Sato has low volume but heavy hands, while Gorimbo is not the most athletic but may be hungrier. He admits Gorimbo could be faded but thinks Sato's demons will be a factor.
The host picks Themba Gorimbo despite feeling slightly sketchy about him. He believes Gorimbo's grappling advantage will be the key, as he should be able to drag the fight to the ground and control Sato for the majority. He notes Gorimbo's striking is wild and erratic, but his kicks can keep Sato at range. He expects a decision win for Gorimbo.
Paul does not make a clear pick, stating he has no strong opinion and that the fight is a toss-up. He does not commit to either fighter.
The MMA Guru expects a striking matchup, noting that neither fighter is strong on the ground. He believes Takashi Sato has become gun-shy on the feet since his KO over Jason Witt, while Themba Gorimbo is a big athlete with a reach advantage and trains at MMA Masters. He predicts Gorimbo will hurt Sato on the feet and then secure a submission, likely a rear-naked choke or armbar, finishing in the first round.
Zane picks Gorimbo, citing his pace and aggressive wrestling as the modern way to win. He notes that Sato is a low-output counter puncher who will be overwhelmed by Gorimbo's constant pressure and awkward tie-ups. Zane acknowledges Gorimbo is not a good fighter but believes his pace will be too much for Sato.
Expert Picks (7)
Angelo picks Themba Gorimbo, citing his striking at distance and in the pocket, takedowns, and toughness. He notes Jeremiah Wells is 39 years old and has been out for 19 months, which could lead to fading. He expects Wells to come out hot but fade, while Gorimbo gains steam. He acknowledges Wells' power and jiu-jitsu but thinks Gorimbo's youth and hunger will prevail.
Big Brady picks Jeremiah Wells but is hesitant due to Wells being 39 and inactive for two years. He criticizes Themba Gorimbo's chin, submission defense, and cardio, calling him not sold on. He notes Wells has a wrestling background, trains with Renzo Gracie Philly, and has knockout power. He sees a potential knockout or submission, predicting a first-round submission.
Connor does not make a clear pick for this fight. He discusses the matchup but does not state a preference, focusing on the low level and lack of significance.
Lucrative James picks Themba Gorimbo to win, citing his superior technical striking and grappling compared to Jeremiah Wells. He notes that Wells is 38 years old, has shown deterioration in recent performances, and has pulled out of fights due to injury. Gorimbo is more well-rounded, has good takedown defense, and outgrappled opponents like Ramiz Brahimaj and Nico Price. James also mentions Gorimbo's mental state after a loss, but still favors him stylistically.
Wells is the better grappler with more knockout power. He can take Gorimbo to the mat and find a submission. The host is not sure why there is love for Gorimbo.
The MMA Guru leans towards Themba Gorimbo, citing his volume, range, and recent activity. He thinks Jeremiah Wells is inconsistent with his KO power and aging. He predicts Gorimbo wins by decision, 29-28, though Wells may have moments.
Zane picks Gorimbo because if he can get to a good position, he will cling to it and suck the life out of the fight. He notes that Wells is predictable, charging in and clinching in a cycle, and that Gorimbo resembles Carlston Harris who submitted Wells. He also mentions Wells is 39 and has been injured.
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