Jonathan Micallef edges Themba Gorimbo by split decision at UFC Perth

Key facts

• Jonathan Micallef defeated Themba Gorimbo by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC Perth.
• Micallef, 9-1 overall, is now 3-0 in the UFC after previous wins over Kevin Jousset and Oban Elliott.
• Gorimbo, 14-6, fought outside Las Vegas for the first time in his eight-fight UFC career.
• The bout took place at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, on the preliminary card of UFC Fight Night 275.
• Micallef landed a spinning back fist in the third round, the decisive moment of the fight.
• Gorimbo had lost two straight before this fight, including a 52-second submission defeat to Vicente Luque.

A razor-thin verdict in Perth

Jonathan Micallef walked away with a split decision victory over Themba Gorimbo at UFC Perth on Saturday, improving his perfect Octagon record to 3-0. Two judges scored the welterweight bout 29-28 for Micallef, while the third saw it 29-28 for Gorimbo. The Australian prospect, fighting in front of a home crowd at RAC Arena, admitted afterward that he needs to improve but said, “I definitely thought I won that fight.” The result snaps Gorimbo’s two-fight losing streak in the opposite direction, handing the Zimbabwean his third loss in four outings.

Round-by-round breakdown

Micallef clearly took the first round, landing a takedown with over a minute left and controlling Gorimbo against the fence. Gorimbo struggled to get back to his feet and put himself in danger multiple times. The second round belonged to Gorimbo. He scored a takedown of his own, though sloppy, and spent most of the frame on top. Micallef briefly threatened with a triangle choke from his back but could not steal the round. With 20 seconds left, Micallef reversed position but was too late to swing the scorecards. The third round was up for grabs entering the final two minutes. Micallef’s corner urged him to find a finish, and he responded by backing Gorimbo to the fence and unloading with lefts and rights. Gorimbo covered up and survived, but a spinning back fist from Micallef sealed the round.

Contrasting paths to the Octagon

Micallef, 9-1, entered the fight with momentum from a unanimous decision over Kevin Jousset at UFC 312 and a second-round rear-naked choke submission of Oban Elliott at UFmassive frame for 170 pounds, he was expected to hold a physical advantage. Gorimbo, 14-6, brought far more UFC experience, having faced ranked opponents and survived poverty in Zimbabwe before becoming a fighter. His recent losses included a 52-second anaconda choke submission to elite welterweight Vicente Luque at UFC 310 in December 2024, but he had bounced back with a unanimous decision win over Jeremiah Wells in November 2025.

The decisive third round

After a fairly even first half of the third round, Micallef turned up the pressure. He backed Gorimbo to the fence and landed a series of unanswered punches. Gorimbo attempted a takedown but failed, and Micallef connected with a spinning back fist that punctuated his surge. The split decision reflected how close the fight was. Micallef’s third-round dominance likely tipped the scales in his favor, as the first two rounds were clearly split. Gorimbo’s inability to secure a takedown in the final frame cost him the bout.

What lies ahead for both fighters

Micallef’s perfect start in the UFC positions him as a rising prospect in the welterweight division. His grappling arsenal, which includes three submission wins, and his relentless pressure make him a difficult matchup for many unranked opponents. A step up in competition may come next. For Gorimbo, the loss extends his skid to three defeats in four fights. His resilience and veteran savvy remain assets, but he must address the submission vulnerabilities exposed by Luque and the grappling pressure applied by Micallef. At 14-6, he still has time to climb back, but the margin for error is shrinking.

The bottom line

• Jonathan Micallef won a split decision over Themba Gorimbo, improving to 3-0 in the UFC.
• The fight was decided by a dominant third round in which Micallef landed a spinning back fist and controlled the action.
• Gorimbo fought outside Las Vegas for the first time in his UFC career and lost his third fight in four outings.
• Micallef’s grappling and physical size were key factors, though Gorimbo’s striking and experience kept the bout close.
• The result underscores Micallef’s potential as a welterweight prospect while raising questions about Gorimbo’s trajectory.