Issue 207
July 2024
Few stories are as electrifying as that of Themba Gorimbo, a man who has turned unimaginable hardships into a journey toward UFC greatness. Fighters Only’s Isaac Barnett caught up with him to learn about the unbelievable obstacles he’s had to surmount to become one of the most inspirational MMA stars.
Born in rural Zimbabwe, Gorimbo faced a country with severe economic instability, high inflation, and one of the world’s most corrupt governments. His father was extremely cold to him and his brother, often beating the two boys if they misbehaved. At 9 years old, his mother passed away, and from that moment, his father was nice to him. As a boy too young to understand what was going on, his naivety around death meant he struggled to feel emotional about his family life. Things got worse for him at 13 years old when his father also passed away, and he had to fend for himself and his younger brother, often stealing food so they wouldn’t starve. Once he reached 16, Gorimbo dropped out of school and began digging for diamonds illegally. In an interview with The Guardian, Gorimbo explained the dangers this brought.
“I was very lucky in the Marange diamond fields because you are chased by dogs and horses, by the police and the army,” he said. “I’ve seen people die in front of me at a very young age. I almost got killed by the German shepherds, and I’ve got scars all over my body. I got caught and bitten by the dogs when I was underground. I was very skinny, so the dogs pulled me out. They were big and vicious, and I lost a lot of blood. When I woke up the following day, there were police all over, and they were chasing people. It was Operation No Return. I was told to get away because if they caught me, they might kill me. So, I limped my way home. I almost got killed, but that day was pivotal for me. After one week, some wounds were not healed, but I thought, ‘I don’t have money; I need to go back to the diamond fields and dig again.’ So, I went and found the biggest diamond I’ve ever got. It was 12 carats, and that’s why I call myself the Cinderella Man. Give me a second chance, and I will run away with it.”
After this find, he tried to leave Zimbabwe to pursue a better life in South Africa but failed at his first border crossing. He succeeded in his second attempt and spent the first week there in a South African prison. Always the hustler, he bribed his way out and lived on the streets of Johannesburg, then eventually went to Cape Town, where he worked as a laborer. During this time, he found martial arts, which inspired him to follow his dreams and become the fighter he is today.
THE MAN HE IS TODAY
Fighters Only caught up with Gorimbo to learn more about his incredible Cinderella Man story, which has had Hollywood royalty stand up and take notice. When pressed about the exact moment he knew he’d become a fighter, Gorimbo lit up.
“I started MMA because of a movie called Never Back Down,” he explains. “It inspired me to start. I just wanted to learn self-defense in the beginning, and then the coaches told me I was quite good. Three months later, I had a fight booked, and I’ve not stopped since.”
From there, Gorimbo had eight amateur fights and recorded one win and seven losses. This isn’t exactly the start future champions are accustomed to, but he didn’t surrender, even describing the start of his career to Frankie Edgar’s fighting style, never giving up. He continued as an amateur, eventually finding success, then began his pro career in South Africa’s EFC, winning and defending their welterweight title with a pro record of 9-2. He went on to fight in UAE Warriors and Fury FC, and after that, he got the call-up to join the UFC, making him the second Zimbabwean UFC fighter ever.
“I have a story that is inspiring for other people,” explains Gorimbo. “I think that the UFC had been interested in signing me for a very long time, so it was just about the timing and where I was. I was going to be signed during the COVID days, but some things happened, and then I lost a fight in Abu Dhabi. I had to pay with my own money to fly with my coaches and fight in Abu Dhabi, so I sacrificed a lot to fight there. Then, I fought in New Orleans. I won the fight, but it wasn’t pretty. Then, some time passed, and I messaged Cory (Sandhagen) and went to train in Denver. He had an extra ticket for the UFC that week, which was International Fight Week, and he said I could come and gave me accommodation.”
This shows that Gorimbo has always been a hustler, a trait he learned in his youth and which eventually opened the right doors for him.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The UFC truly is a global organization and is quick to recognize a fighter in body and spirit. Gorimbo’s ability to put himself in the right places at the right time was crucial to finding a home in the UFC’s competitive ranks.
“I went to the afterparty for International Fight Week and spoke to Sean Shelby, and that’s how I got signed to the UFC,” he explains. “It is a blessing and a divine intervention because Cory could have gone with anybody or could have not had an extra ticket, but when God wants you to be somewhere, he will make sure you are there.”
His signing for the promotion gave him a newfound platform for himself and the Zimbabwean people, who he proudly represents every time he fights.
“It’s always a great thing,” smiles Gorimbo. “It’s history. I believe I was born to make history, and it’s a blessing. I’m the first from Zimbabwe to win a world championship in MMA when I was an EFC champion and to go on and be the first Zimbabwean to win a fight in the UFC, and currently the only one still in the UFC. I wish many could join, but when it's me here, alone, I’m going to step right into it and represent my country with everything.”
When he lost his first fight in the UFC to AJ Fletcher, he needed to make a change to stay on the path he’d worked so hard to get on. He packed his things, left his family, and began training in Miami, Florida, because he could work with better fighters. His financial situation was dire at that time, so he lived in the gym and slept on a couch. Fellow welterweight contender Colby Covington helped by buying him food and training with him. It’s a gesture of kindness Gorimbo is quick to remember.
“Colby is a great guy behind the scenes,” says Gorimbo. “He plays his character, but he’s a kind guy. He helped me out when he didn’t have to, and for that, I’ll always be grateful.”
A RISING STAR
Coming into his next fight, he knew it was a must-win. On the day of the fight, he had $87 left in his account, but he was sick with the flu, so he bought medicine for himself. He accidentally bought two doses, and his account had only $7.49 left. He tweeted a photo before the fight, which ESPN picked up, and he got incredible support from the MMA community. The post caught the attention of professional wrestler-turned-actor Dwayne Johnson, who also tweeted in support. It was the boost Gorimbo needed to defeat Takashi Sato, and not too long after, Johnson paid him a surprise visit and revealed that he had bought Gorimbo a house. It changed his life completely, and he has had a special relationship with Johnson ever since.
“I speak to him (Johnson) often, and he guides me in the way that I need,” says Gorimbo when asked about his friendship with The Rock. “He tells me to keep working hard. God chose to bless me with his gift, and I'll be forever grateful for what he did for me and my family. I promised him that I would become the UFC welterweight champion, but I need to put the work in to keep that promise.”
Since then, Gorimbo has picked up two more victories over Pete Rodriguez and Ramiz Brahimaj, and with a sustainable lifestyle now in place, he has chosen to start giving back to the places he grew up.
“I am building a library in my village now, and I will finish it after my next fight. However, my biggest goal is to make an MMA gym in my village. The country loves the sport, and everybody wants to do it. Do we have the facilities—the gyms—that can do that currently? Not really. In the future, it’s something I want to do: give back to the country and the people and try to build the sport of MMA in my country. I want it to facilitate and allow people to train and live there for free. I want to help people chase their dreams like I am. That’s what I want in the future. God will guide me, and I will make it happen.”
‘The Answer’ is set to return to competition on October 12th against Niko Price with one goal in mind: win.
“Why would I do this if I did not want to be the champion?” smiles Gorminbo. “I may as well go back to my village and do what the others are doing there. The goal was to be the UFC Welterweight champion. I wanted to go and make sure this happens. It was my desire. It’s been the goal since I started this sport. I’m going to go out there and do it. I work so hard for it.”
Only time will tell if he can achieve his dream, but regardless of the outcome, he’s already proved that anyone can come from anywhere to achieve their goals. He’s an inspiration and living proof of what hard work and dedication can do for anyone who dares to be great.
