Jonathan Micallef won a split decision over Themba Gorimbo with judges scoring 28-29, 29-28, 29-28. Micallef extended his winning streak to five fights and improved to 10-1, including three victories in the UFC. Gorimbo, who had prepared for the fight with a training camp in Vladikavkaz, North Ossetia, suffered his third consecutive loss and dropped to 14-7. The bout took place at UFC Perth. Despite the camp change, Gorimbo was unable to halt his losing skid.
Jonathan Micallef earned a split decision victory over Themba Gorimbo at UFC Perth on May 2, 2026, with two of the three judges seeing the bout in his favor by scores of 29-28, 29-28, and 28-29.
Micallef, known as "The Captain," improved to 10-1 overall and has now won five consecutive fights, with three of those victories coming inside the UFC. The 27-year-old Australian southpaw trains out of Combat 1 MMA and stands six feet tall with a 77-inch reach. He is an active offensive fighter, landing nearly four significant strikes per minute, and also attempts more than one submission per 15 minutes, giving him a dual threat that opponents must account for.
Gorimbo, nicknamed "The Answer," falls to 14-7 after suffering his third straight defeat. The 35-year-old from Zimbabwe represents MMA Masters and brings an imposing physical frame at six-foot-one with a 77-inch reach. He is a notably accurate striker, connecting on 60 percent of his significant strike attempts, and generates a high volume of takedown attempts at over five per 15 minutes. Gorimbo had made a change ahead of this contest, conducting a training camp in Vladikavkaz, North Ossetia, but the adjustment was not enough to reverse his recent form.
Why it matters
- Micallef's five-fight winning streak firmly establishes him as a rising contender in his division.
- A third consecutive loss is a significant setback for Gorimbo and raises questions about his near-term ranking trajectory.
- The close split decision scorecards reflect a competitive, evenly contested fight that could have gone either way on the night.
