Well, here’s a bit of a ruckus. Themba Gorimbo had a few choice words for Kiefer Crosbie. Why? Crosbie had to pull out of their upcoming fight because of an injury.
Gorimbo was all set to go toe-to-toe with Crosbie, an Irish welterweight contender, on February 3. The match was scheduled for UFC Fight Night 235 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. MMA Mania broke the news first, and Gorimbo confirmed it.
“BDK” is out, folks. He’s injured. But don’t worry, Gorimbo’s already found a replacement. Pete Rodriguez is stepping in.
But Gorimbo didn’t let Crosbie off the hook that easily. He took a dig at him.
Now, Gorimbo’s jab wasn’t entirely unprovoked. Crosbie had touched upon a sensitive topic while trash-talking. Gorimbo had revealed that he had just $6 left in his bank account after his first UFC victory. Dwayne Johnson, the WWE and Hollywood superstar, empathized with Gorimbo’s story. He even bought the South African a new house.
Crosbie took a shot at this on Instagram. He wrote, “It’s official, 10 weeks time I make my real debut with the [UFC]. Full camp this time. I hope your daddy [The Rock] bought you life insurance to go along with that gaf you little moocher because I’m coming for that head!”
Gorimbo responded after Crosbie withdrew from their bout. He wrote, “It’s funny what happens when you have so much to say about someone whom you don’t even know then go on to pull out of the fight. Unlike you, I wish you nothing but recovery from whatever it is that was injured. Yes it’s fight business but try watch a little on what you put out. You now need the medical insurance. Good luck with everything in your life. We all not perfect but spread love not hate. Be yourself. Your mind think you selling a fight that is on a fight night is mind blowing. There can only be one [Conor] my man. Anyways bye.”
Gorimbo also shared screenshots of their conversation.
Crosbie, on the other hand, is yet to win his first UFC victory. He was submitted by Kevin Jousset at UFC 293 on September 9.
Gorimbo had a bit of a rough start too. He lost to A.J. Fletcher in his debut in February 2023. But he bounced back with a decision win over Takashi Sato in May 2023. His new opponent, Rodriguez, also had a setback in his UFC debut against Jack Della Maddalena in January 2022. But he bounced back with a stoppage win over Mike Jackson in October 2022.