Themba Gorimbo Biography: Early Life, Martial Arts Journey, EFC Champion and UFC Fighter, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
Early Life and Struggles
Themba Gorimbo, the Zimbabwean mixed martial artist, was born on January 23, 1991, in the small district of Bikita in Eastern Zimbabwe. Tragedy struck early in his life when he lost his mother at the age of nine and his father four years later. With the responsibility of taking care of his siblings, he turned to illegal diamond digging in local fields to make ends meet.
One fateful night, while trying to evade the police, Gorimbo faced a harrowing experience as he was attacked by German shepherds, leaving him with scars all over his body. Determined to change his life, he made a bold decision to leave Zimbabwe in 2008 and illegally set camp in South Africa at the age of 17.
Themba Gorimbo-Image Source@Instagram
Themba Gorimbo Martial Arts Journey
After his perilous journey to South Africa, Gorimbo’s life took a transformative turn when he discovered his passion for martial arts. Inspired by the movie “Never Back Down,” he joined a local gym and delved into the world of karate, taekwondo, kickboxing, wrestling, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. His innate fighting spirit and dedication to training earned him the nickname “The Answer” for his ability to solve any problem in the cage.
Themba Gorimbo, EFC Champion and UFC Fighter
Themba Gorimbo-Image Source@Instagram
Gorimbo officially began his professional MMA career in 2010 and soon caught the attention of the Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC). In 2018, he won the EFC welterweight title, and through successful title defenses, he secured a contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 2022.
On May 20, 2023, Gorimbo made history as the first Zimbabwean to win a UFC fight when he defeated Takashi Sato by unanimous decision at UFC Vegas 73. Remarkably, he revealed that he entered the fight with only $7.49 in his bank account and had been sleeping on a gym couch due to limited resources and training space. After the victory, he used the proceeds from auctioning his fight kit online to build a bush pump, providing clean water to his village in Zimbabwe.
Recognition and Inspiration
Themba Gorimbo and Dwayne Johnson-Image Source@Twitter
Themba Gorimbo’s incredible journey from hardship to triumph has inspired people worldwide. Notable figures like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson praised Gorimbo’s perseverance and generosity. He also received support from fellow fighters, including Colby Covington, who may challenge for the UFC welterweight title.
Currently ranked as the number 15 welterweight in the UFC with a record of 11-4, Gorimbo is regarded as one of Africa’s finest fighters. He serves as a role model for aspiring MMA athletes in Zimbabwe, promoting humility and authenticity above all else.
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