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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
REIGNING Zimbabwe Sportsperson of the Year, mixed-martial arts (MMA) fighter Themba Gorimbo has struck an opportunity to catch the eye of the largest MMA promotion company in the world, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), after securing a bill in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The 28-year-old South African-based MMA fighter will fight Russian Ramazan Kuramagomedov, who is ranked 10th out of 892 active United States professional welterweights, on October 29 in Dubai.

Gorimbo made history in September last year by becoming the first EFC MMA champion from Zimbabwe after successfully defending his welterweight title in March by defeating Lyle Karam in Pretoria, South Africa.

This is a massive step for Gorimbo, as he breaks onto the international stage of MMA.

Gorimbo took the initiative to prepare himself for a short notice fight at the beginning of the month by buying himself an air ticket to Dubai.

He is confident of upsetting Kuramagomedov, who is yet to lose a career fight and has nine wins, one knock-out, five submissions and three judges’ decisions.

“Contract signed and on the 29th of October 2021 I will be victorious.

“I would like to thank UAE Warriors for this opportunity to showcase my work on the world stage. This opportunity,

however, wouldn’t have been possible without the push from my manager @jasonkhouse and my man Cyrus Fees,” said Gorimbo.

“As you all know, I had bought my own ticket to Dubai in search of a short notice opportunity for @ufc or UAE Warriors and I am grateful I did and also grateful to each and every one who shared my post about my ticket and asking on my behalf to get an opportunity. I really appreciate all of you.

“It is here now and I will make sure that I win. I am a winner and I win,” he wrote on his Facebook page.

Unlike Kuramagomedov whose last fight was a win against Matias Juarez on September 4, Gorimbo, who has nine career wins and two defeats, has to shrug off rust after last taking to the ring in March. — @ZililoR