“My life is akin to a captivating film, intricately directed by the divine powers of God,” muses Themba Gorimbo as his lunch grows cold on a chilly winter afternoon in Harare. Gorimbo, a mixed martial artist fighting in the UFC, finds himself back at home in Zimbabwe, reflecting upon the rollercoaster ride of his past. A ride that led him to have a mere $7.49 left in his bank account before his life-altering victory in his second UFC fight.
Following his triumph in Las Vegas earlier this year, Gorimbo candidly shared his financial struggles during a press conference. This caught the attention of none other than Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, who became invested in Gorimbo’s story. While it is crucial to examine the contentious commercial relationship between Johnson and the UFC, for now, let us revel in the heartwarming tale of Johnson being moved by Gorimbo’s plight. Johnson, whose production company is aptly named Seven Bucks due to his own past experience of having only $7 to his name, saw a kindred spirit in Gorimbo.
After Johnson posted a viral video surprising the Zimbabwean fighter at an MMA gym, Gorimbo became an internet sensation. With Johnson’s assistance, Gorimbo now has a house in Miami. However, as I delved deeper into my conversation with this 32-year-old athlete, I discovered a more fascinating backstory. “I am merely the protagonist in this enthralling tale of Themba’s life,” Gorimbo remarks. “Every twist and turn that fate has bestowed upon me, both positive and negative, has led me precisely to this point.”
Our conversation takes place over Zoom, with Gorimbo seated in a cozy café. Despite my insistence that he dig into his untouched lunch, he remains engrossed in our discussion, eager to share his experiences. Furthermore, Gorimbo yearns to utilize his newfound fame to follow in the footsteps of Sadio Mané, the Senegalese football star known for his philanthropy, and make a lasting difference in Zimbabwe. Although he has already begun to enact change in his village, Gorimbo believes it is crucial to comprehend his tumultuous past in order to truly appreciate his journey.
“My life started on a promising note,” he begins. “My father served as the family’s sole breadwinner, working diligently at the hospital. However, when my mother passed away when I was nine, followed by the untimely demise of my father at the tender age of 13, everything took a downward turn. We were forced to move to rural areas, and life became exceedingly challenging. Nevertheless, these hardships have played an integral role in shaping my character. I am grateful for every experience as they have paved the way for the prosperity I am currently experiencing and will continue to enjoy in the future.”
At the age of 16, Gorimbo embarked on a treacherous journey, digging for illegal diamonds. “My time in the Marange diamond fields was fraught with danger, constantly evading dogs, horses, and even the police and army,” he recounts. “I witnessed deaths at an alarmingly young age. German shepherds nearly took my life, leaving me scarred both physically and mentally.”
He rolls up his sleeves, revealing a series of scars, and explains, “The dogs dragged me out from underground, their ferocity resulting in significant injuries. I was frail and emaciated, thus unable to defend myself. Covered in blood, I awoke the next day to discover the presence of law enforcement officers intent on capturing people. This event, known as Operation No Return, served as a turning point. Advised to flee for my life, as capture might have meant a grim fate, I made my way home, albeit wounded.”
Rather than deterring him, Gorimbo’s near-death encounter proved pivotal. “Despite the wounds still healing, I resolved to return to the diamond fields,” he declares. “After all, I was destitute and in dire need of funds. It was during this subsequent venture that fate smiled upon me. I unearthed the largest diamond in my possession—a remarkable 12-carat gem. This is why I refer to myself as the ‘Cinderella Man.’ Give me a second chance, and I’ll transform it into a life of abundance. Just like this year, when I suffered a defeat in my debut UFC fight [against AJ Fletcher in February]. However, in my second fight [against Takashi Sato in May], having reached the end of my monetary resources, I emerged victorious.”
Did he not fear for his life upon returning to the diamond fields after the vicious dog attack? “Fear no longer gripped me,” he insists. “There comes a point when life throws every adversity at you, and the only way to move forward is by boldly confronting it.”
Shortly after his diamond find, at the age of 17, Gorimbo ventured to South Africa. While his initial days were marked by a week spent in jail as a refugee, he managed to secure his release through bribes. Initially planning to return home, he had a change of heart and successfully made his way to Johannesburg. Gorimbo often found himself homeless, resorting to distributing flyers at traffic lights to make ends meet. It was in Cape Town that he stumbled upon a life-altering movie titled “Never Back Down,” showcasing a mixed martial artist. This film served as his inspiration.
“I was oblivious to the fact that fighting could be an art until I saw that movie,” he reveals with a grin. “I had associated fighting solely with violence. At the time, I worked as a gardener when I stumbled upon a gym poster. Three months later, I won my first fight by knockout in a mere seven seconds. However, my amateur record was abysmal—eight wins and seven losses—primarily due to my full-time work as a gardener and security guard. Training time was scarce, but each loss taught me invaluable lessons.”
Ten years ago, Gorimbo made the leap to professional fighting, enduring an arduous journey in South Africa’s EFC (Extreme Fighting Championship) before finally securing fights with UAE Warriors in Abu Dhabi. This served as his gateway to the esteemed UFC, a dominant force in the world of professional MMA. Although he encountered setbacks, such as dislocating his shoulder during a fight in Abu Dhabi, Gorimbo emerged victorious in subsequent bouts. Nevertheless, he remained uncertain about an invitation to the UFC’s Contender series. To his surprise, the organization saw potential in him, presenting Gorimbo with his first UFC contract a year ago.
His UFC debut proved to be a bitter disappointment as he succumbed to submission in the second round against Fletcher. That night, Gorimbo admits to shedding tears, as the defeat cut deep. “Yet, I am grateful for that loss as it revealed the clutter within my mind,” he acknowledges.
Gorimbo relocated to Miami to train, but lacking the financial means to stay elsewhere, he slept on a couch in the gym. His training partner, Colby Covington, a polarizing figure in the UFC and an outspoken supporter of former President Trump, surprised Gorimbo with his unexpected kindness. Covington even went as far as to buy food for Gorimbo on certain occasions. Despite the vast disparity in experience between them, Gorimbo acknowledges Covington’s generosity, remarking, “Colby doesn’t really need to train with me. I’m just a guy from Zimbabwe who doesn’t have much to offer except for my character. For him to extend such support touches my heart. Colby is genuinely a good person, but his role as a villain is good for business. If he were to reveal his true self to the world, he would be beloved universally.”
When Gorimbo arrived in Las Vegas to face Sato, the odds were stacked against him. “I was extremely ill during that fight, a fact that remains unknown to many,” he reveals. “I was battling the flu, yet I fought because I had two options. Either withdraw from the fight, forfeit my pay, and return home to face my children, confessing that my time in America for the past seven weeks had amounted to nothing, or I take a risk and fight. On the day of the fight, I woke up with a mere $87 in my bank account. Sick as I was, I desperately ordered $80 worth of medication online, leaving me with a paltry $7.49.”
Gorimbo was fully aware of the catastrophic implications of defeat. “The Contender series was about to commence, introducing new fighters to the UFC while potentially discarding those deemed unremarkable. Being from Africa, my back was against the wall. Thus, I took a leap of faith…”
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