“He’s trained overseas,” Themba Gorimbo advises African fighters to not get ‘FOOLED’ by Dricus du Plessis’ success

Themba Gorimbo emphasizes the importance of overseas training for African fighters, admiring Dricus Du Plessis.

“He’s trained overseas,” Themba Gorimbo advises African fighters to not get ‘FOOLED’ by Dricus du Plessis’ success

Themba Gorimbo sceptical of Dricus Du Plessis success training only in Africa (Image via: IMAGO, Instagram)

Zimbabwean UFC welterweight, Themba Gorimbo, secured a first-round knockout victory at UFC Vegas 85 over Pete Rodriguez. After the victory, Gorimbo expressed his intention to become the welterweight champion of the UFC. The UFC now has an African champion Dricus Du Plessis from South Africa. Gorimbo will look to be the next champion from the continent after Kamaru Usman, Israel Adesanya, Francis Ngannou, and Du Plessis.

Of all the African champions ever in the UFC, Du Plessis claimed to be the only one who trains and resides in the continent. Moreover, Du Plessis is extremely proud and vocal about it. Themba Gorimbo is skeptical of Du Plessis’ remarks. He spoke about it at the post-fight press conference of UFC Vegas 85. This is what he said.

Bless Dricus and what he has done for himself, to win a championship training in Africa. It's something that I wanted to do myself, but it's a blessing for him, you know. But don't get it wrong, sometimes you've got to get out to get what you want in life, and also, he has gotten out of South Africa before. He's trained overseas and every so.
Themba Gorimbo at UFC Vegas 85
YouTube video

Gorimbo did not believe that African fighters could be successful without overseas training. Moreover, he stated that fighters should train in the USA and take the knowledge back to Africa. Du Plessis has trained outside Africa as he trained at Tiger Muay Thai in Thailand. It is there where he first met Israel Adesanya and Alexander Volkanovski among others.

Gorimbo has trained with Dricus Du Plessis in the past and has nothing but respect for him. Du Plessis became the middleweight champion with a split decision victory over Sean Strickland at UFC 297. The South African will most likely headline UFC 300 with Israel Adesanya. Moreover, Adesanya had already fueled the rumors with his social media post. Furthermore, UFC welterweight Michael Chiesa also revealed talks of the fight. Chiesa and Du Plessis share the same management team.

Themba Gorimbo does not want to have Dwayne Johnson in his corner

Themba Gorimbo is eternally grateful to Dwayne Johnson. The WWE superstar gave him an apartment for when he was broke. However, Gorimbo revealed at the post-fight press conference of UFC Vegas 85 that he won’t have Johnson in his corner.

Dwayne Johnson and Themba Gorimbo
Dwayne Johnson and Themba Gorimbo (via iHarare News)

Sometimes, the UFC fighters would have celebrities in their corner from outside the fight game. Stephen Thompson had Jack Black in his corner at UFC 296. Nonetheless, Gorimbo does not want to use that privilege. This is due to his emotional character. Gorimbo stated that he would be very emotional if Johnson was in his corner.

Nonetheless, Gorimbo eagerly awaits to see Dwayne Johnson in action at Wrestlemania XL. Gorimbo revealed that he was a big fan of WWE during his childhood. Johnson is now on the Board of Directors of the TKO Holding Group in addition to being a WWE superstar.

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