Themba Takura Lawrence Gorimbo, born on January 23, 1991, in Bikita, Zimbabwe, is a Zimbabwean professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Gorimbo’s early life was marked by significant hardship; he lost his mother at age 12 and his father at 13, leaving him to care for his younger brother. To survive, he dropped out of school at 16 and became involved in blood diamond smuggling in the dangerous Marange diamond fields. During this period, he endured a traumatic encounter with law enforcement, where he was caught and mauled by German Shepherd dogs a turning point that left him physically and emotionally scarred but also sparked a resolve to change his life.At 17, Gorimbo fled Zimbabwe for South Africa, seeking safety and new opportunities. There, he discovered mixed martial arts (MMA), which became both a refuge and a new purpose. He made his professional MMA debut in 2013 and steadily built a reputation as a formidable competitor. Gorimbo’s career highlights include becoming the first Zimbabwean to win a fight in the UFC and capturing the EFC Welterweight Championship, which he defended once.
Gorimbo’s journey in the UFC has been a testament to his resilience. Despite early setbacks, including a loss in his promotional debut, he went on to secure several victories, notably against Takashi Sato, Pete Rodriguez, Ramiz Brahimaj, and Niko Price. His story gained international attention after he revealed in a post-fight interview that he had only $7 left in his bank account at one point. This revelation caught the attention of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who, moved by their shared experience of financial hardship, surprised Gorimbo by buying him a house.
Beyond his fighting career, Gorimbo is also known for his philanthropy. He has initiated projects to drill boreholes in his home village of Bikita to provide clean water and has plans to build a solar-powered library for local children. His charitable efforts earned him the 2023 World MMA Award for Fighting Spirit of the Year.
Gorimbo’s life story is one of extraordinary perseverance, transforming from a survivor of Zimbabwe’s diamond fields into a globally recognized athlete and humanitarian, inspiring many with his determination and generosity
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