LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 03: Themba Gorimbo of Zimbabwe reacts after his knockout victory over Pete Rodriguez in a welterweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on February 03, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) The UFC Vegas 85 fight card took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, showcasing an exciting night of mixed martial arts action. The main event featured a majority decision win by Nassourdine Imavov, the No. 11 fighter in the official UFC middleweight rankings, over the No. 8 ranked Roman Dolidze. Additionally, Renato Moicano returned to the Octagon, securing a unanimous decision victory over Drew Dober in the co-headliner. Let's take a closer look at three standout performances from the event.
Themba Gorimbo, a fighter from Johannesburg, South Africa, made a strong statement with his knockout victory over Pete Rodriguez in their welterweight contest. Entering the bout as a significant favorite, Gorimbo utilized his height and reach advantage to control the fight from the opening seconds. Just 32 seconds into the first round, Gorimbo unleashed a powerful left hook that landed flush on Rodriguez's jaw, sending him to the canvas. Gorimbo swiftly followed up with ground strikes, prompting referee Herb Dean to intervene and stop the fight. Preventing Rodriguez from landing a significant strike, Gorimbo delivered a brief but impressive performance. In his post-fight interview, the 33-year-old called for bigger challenges and expressed his ambition to become the welterweight champion in 2024, regardless of who stands in his way. With this victory, Gorimbo improved his record to 2-1 in the UFC and holds a total MMA record of 12-4.
