THEMBA COMES TO VEGAS
LAS VEGAS. — Themba Gorimbo won his first fight after defeating Takashi Sato at UFC Vegas 73 on Sunday morning.
“From February to now, it’s been eating me, so I have to enjoy this victory whether it was a decision or whatever it was,” the Zimbabwean said.
His relentlessness frustrated the Japanese welterweight at the Apex Centre.
Gorimbo came out looking for the takedown but Sato stayed on his feet and tossed the Zimbabwean to the floor.
He got back to his feet and continued to work relentlessly to take the Japanese fighter down.
Sato briefly found himself in side control after enough textbook trip but Gorimbo escaped and took his back, working for a rear naked choke as the round ended.
There was more action at the start of the second round with the Zimbabwean landing a hard right hand.
Gorimbo looked to finish the fight with ground and pound but Sato recovered and was eventually able to scramble back to his feet.
The Japanese fighter was able to execute another sweet but soon found himself defending a heel hook.
Gorimbo couldn’t complete the leg lock but was able to work his way back up.
Both men looked tired as this stage but there was still time for one more takedown from the Zimbabwean.
Sato needed something major to turn the fight around in the final round but it was Gorimbo who got the takedown.
He took the back and was able to remain in that position for the best part of four minutes.
With 3o second to go Sato was able to reverse the position and land some elbows from his opponent’s guard but it was too little too late. All three judges scored the fight for Gorimbo who improves to 11-4 while Sato drops to 16-7.