© Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

 

UFC Fight Night Predictions: Royval vs. Taira - Themba Gorimbo vs Niko Price Preview

On October 12, 2024, UFC Fight Night: Royval vs. Taira at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, NV will feature an intriguing welterweight clash between Themba Gorimbo and Niko Price. Both fighters are looking to further their UFC careers, with Gorimbo riding a two-fight win streak and Price looking to bounce back after a tough loss to Robbie Lawler. This bout promises to be an action-packed affair, with both fighters known for their aggressive styles and finishing abilities.

As always, KingPin Pro is your #1 source for MMA predictions and analysis. Check out my Cory McKenna vs Julia Polastri Article Prediction for more fight breakdowns from this event.

 

Fighter Backgrounds

Themba Gorimbo

Themba "The Answer" Gorimbo hails from Zimbabwe and fights out of MMA Masters. With a professional record of 13-4-0, Gorimbo has become a rising star in the welterweight division, known for his grappling and submission skills. Standing at 6'1" and fighting at 170 pounds, Gorimbo's reach and ground control have been critical to his success. He is coming off back-to-back wins, including a first-round knockout of Pete Rodriguez and a unanimous decision over Ramiz Brahimaj in May 2024.

Gorimbo is a versatile fighter, with six submission wins on his record. His ability to control his opponents on the ground and work toward submissions makes him a significant threat, especially against fighters who struggle in grappling exchanges. After experiencing some early setbacks in his UFC career, Gorimbo has found his rhythm and looks to continue his momentum against the always-dangerous Niko Price.

Niko Price

Niko "The Hybrid" Price fights out of Roufusport in the United States. Known for his exciting fighting style, Price boasts a professional record of 16-7-0. Standing 6'0" with a reach of 76 inches, Price has developed a reputation for his knockout power, with ten of his sixteen wins coming by way of KO/TKO. However, Price has faced some tough competition lately, suffering a knockout loss to Robbie Lawler in his last bout in July 2023.

Price is an unpredictable fighter who can end a fight at any moment, as seen in his knockout victories over fighters like James Vick and Alan Jouban. However, Price has struggled with consistency, alternating wins and losses in his recent UFC appearances. This fight against Gorimbo represents a crucial opportunity for Price to get back on track and reestablish himself as a threat in the welterweight division.

Fighting Styles and Strengths

Themba Gorimbo

Gorimbo is primarily a grappler, with a focus on controlling his opponents on the mat and working for submissions. His wrestling and jiu-jitsu have proven to be his biggest assets inside the octagon, and his ability to smother his opponents has led to several dominant performances. While Gorimbo can stand and strike, his preference is to take the fight to the ground, where he can dictate the pace and avoid unnecessary risks in striking exchanges.

In his most recent fight against Ramiz Brahimaj, Gorimbo utilized his grappling to control the bout and nullify Brahimaj’s offensive output. Against Price, Gorimbo will look to implement a similar strategy, using his wrestling to avoid Price’s knockout power and work toward a submission or decision victory.

Niko Price

Price is known for his wild, unpredictable striking style. He has knockout power in both hands and isn’t afraid to take risks in pursuit of the finish. Price’s unorthodox striking can be both a strength and a weakness, as his aggressive approach leaves him open to counters and takedowns. On the ground, Price has shown some proficiency, but his submission defense has been tested in previous fights.

Against Gorimbo, Price will need to keep the fight standing and avoid getting taken down, where Gorimbo has the advantage. Price’s path to victory will be to use his power and unpredictable striking to catch Gorimbo off guard and land a knockout blow early in the fight.

Recent Performances and Fight Analysis

Themba Gorimbo

Gorimbo’s last two UFC appearances have showcased his growing confidence and skills inside the octagon. His knockout win over Pete Rodriguez was a statement victory, and his grappling-heavy decision over Ramiz Brahimaj proved that he can execute a smart game plan over three rounds. Gorimbo’s ability to adapt and implement a wrestling-heavy game plan will be key in this fight against a striker like Price.

Niko Price

Price’s last fight against Robbie Lawler was a disappointing first-round knockout loss. Prior to that, Price suffered a TKO loss to Phil Rowe, showcasing some vulnerabilities in his defense. However, Price’s unpredictability and knockout power mean that he is always a threat, even when coming off a loss. Against Gorimbo, Price will need to be sharp defensively and find opportunities to let his hands go early in the fight.

Odds and Betting Information

Fighter	Odds
Themba Gorimbo	-140
Niko Price	+110

Gorimbo enters the fight as a slight favorite at -140, while Price is the underdog at +110. Gorimbo’s grappling and recent performances have earned him the edge, but Price’s knockout power makes him a dangerous underdog in this matchup.

Keys to Victory

Themba Gorimbo

• Control the Grappling: Gorimbo needs to use his wrestling to take Price down and control the fight on the mat. Avoiding Price’s knockout power is crucial to his success.
• Be Patient: Gorimbo can’t afford to get reckless in exchanges. He needs to pick his moments, work for takedowns, and control the pace of the fight.

Niko Price

• Keep the Fight Standing: Price’s best chance to win is on the feet, where he can use his knockout power to finish the fight. He needs to avoid the takedowns at all costs.
• Capitalize on Chaos: Price thrives in wild exchanges. He’ll need to make the fight uncomfortable for Gorimbo, forcing him into striking exchanges where Price’s power can be the difference.

Prediction