mbulelo smpofu
Innocent Kurira, innocent.kurira@chronicle.co.zw
ZIMBABWEAN UFC welterweight Themba Gorimbo is already looking to the future after suffering a disappointing loss to Vicente Luque at UFC 310 on Saturday.
Despite being caught with a tight anaconda choke just 52 seconds into the fight, Gorimbo remains optimistic about his prospects in the division.
“Even if my life ends today, l know l have broken records and it’s hard to be in UFC coming from Africa but I am here. Today wasn’t my day but my time is coming again.
“I have fallen many times in my life before. This is just the start,” said Gorimbo.
Luque, who was considered a betting underdog heading into the fight, needed just 52 seconds to dispatch Gorimbo.
The Brazilian welterweight caught Gorimbo with a series of strikes before finishing him off with a tight anaconda choke.
Gorimbo, who had been riding high on his winning streak, was left reeling from the sudden loss. Despite his impressive run, Gorimbo was stepping in on somewhat short notice, replacing Nick Diaz in the bout.
Luque’s victory marked a significant statement in the welterweight division, as he bounced back from a vicious knockout loss to Joaquin Buckley in March.
The win was Luque’s 14th in the UFC welterweight division, the second-most in division history.
Gorimbo will look to re-group and rebound from the loss.
Despite the setback, Gorimbo remains a promising talent in the welterweight division. – @innocentskizoe
