Micallef edges Gorimbo by split decision in UFC Perth thriller

Key facts

• Jonathan Micallef defeated Themba Gorimbo by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC Perth.
• The fight took place on the preliminary card of UFC Fight Night: Della Maddalena vs. Prates at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.
• Micallef, 9-1, extended his UFC record to 3-0, having previously beaten Kevin Jousset and Oban Elliott.
• Gorimbo, 14-6, was competing in his eighth UFC fight but his first outside Las Vegas.
• Micallef won the first round clearly, Gorimbo took the second, and Micallef sealed the fight with a strong third round.
• Gorimbo had lost two straight fights before this bout, including a 52-second submission loss to Vicente Luque at UFC 310.

A split decision in Perth

Australian welterweight Jonathan Micallef edged Zimbabwe's Themba Gorimbo by split decision at UFC Perth on Saturday, a result that left the victor admitting he needs to improve but confident he deserved the nod. The judges scored it 28-29, 29-28, and 29-28 in Micallef's favor, after a back-and-forth contest that saw both men have their moments. Micallef, fighting in front of a home crowd at RAC Arena, improved to 3-0 inside the Octagon, while Gorimbo dropped his third straight fight and fell to 14-6 overall. The bout was part of the preliminary card for UFC Fight Night headlined by Jack Della Maddalena vs. Carlos Prates.

Round-by-round breakdown

The first round saw Micallef take control early. Gorimbo fired a body kick but Micallef answered with his own. After a clinch, Micallef reversed a grappling exchange and landed a takedown, keeping Gorimbo on the mat for over a minute. Gorimbo struggled to get back up, putting himself in danger multiple times. Round two belonged to Gorimbo. He answered Micallef's early kick with a flurry of strikes, then landed a takedown of his own, albeit sloppily. Micallef reversed briefly, but Gorimbo maintained top position for most of the round. Micallef attempted a triangle choke from his back but could not finish, and Gorimbo's control time likely earned him the round.

The decisive third round

The third round was up for grabs, with Micallef's team urging him to find a finish. The first half was even, but in the final two minutes Micallef unloaded. He backed Gorimbo to the fence and landed a barrage of lefts and rights. Gorimbo held on and pressed forward, but a curious takedown attempt failed, and Micallef connected with a spinning back fist. Micallef's late surge was enough to sway the judges. After the fight, he said, 'I definitely thought I won that fight,' while acknowledging he needs to get better. Gorimbo, known for his resilience, could not find the finishing touch he needed.

Contrasting paths to the Octagon

Micallef, nicknamed 'The Captain,' entered the fight with a perfect 2-0 UFC record, having earned a unanimous decision over Kevin Jousset at UFC 312 and a second-round rear-naked choke submission of Oban Elliott at UFC 325 in January. At six feet tall with a large frame for 170 pounds, he was expected to hold a physical advantage. Gorimbo, known as 'The Answer,' brought a 14-5 record and far more UFC experience, having faced multiple ranked opponents. His recent outings included a brutal 52-second anaconda choke submission loss to Vicente Luque at UFC 310 in December 2024, followed by a unanimous decision win over Jeremiah Wells in November 2025. The loss to Micallef extends his skid to three fights.

Stakes and outlook

For Micallef, the win keeps his momentum alive in the welterweight division. At 3-0 in the UFC, he is likely to face a step up in competition next. His grappling precision and physical dominance were key factors, though he showed vulnerability in the second round. For Gorimbo, the loss is a setback. The Zimbabwean, who survived poverty to become a UFC fighter, has now lost three straight. His striking and knockout power remain threats, but his susceptibility to submissions and grappling pressure has been exposed at the highest level. He will need to regroup and address those weaknesses to return to winning ways.

A fight that delivered

The Micallef-Gorimbo bout was a compelling addition to the UFC Perth prelims, showcasing the depth of the welterweight division. Both fighters left everything in the Octagon, and the split decision reflected the narrow margins that often define the sport. As Micallef looks to build on his perfect start, Gorimbo faces the challenge of reversing a downward trend. The fight served as a reminder that in mixed martial arts, resilience and adaptability are as important as raw talent.

The bottom line

• Jonathan Micallef defeated Themba Gorimbo by split decision, improving to 3-0 in the UFC.
• Gorimbo lost his third consecutive fight, falling to 14-6 overall.
• Micallef won the first and third rounds, while Gorimbo took the second.
• Micallef's grappling and late-round pressure were decisive factors.
• Gorimbo's striking and toughness kept him in the fight but could not overcome Micallef's physicality.
• The fight took place at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, on the prelims of UFC Fight Night 275.