Zimbabwean UFC fighter Themba Gorimbo has revealed a deeply personal struggle following his loss at UFC 310, where some of his own family members celebrated his defeat.
At the December 8 event, Gorimbo was swiftly submitted by Vicente Luque in the first round of their prelims bout at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Less than a minute into the fight, Luque landed a devastating right hand followed by a left, setting up a rare anaconda choke that rendered Gorimbo unconscious in just 52 seconds.The submission marked the fastest anaconda choke victory in UFC history.
Speaking on The Pivot Podcast, Gorimbo shared the emotional aftermath. “When I go online, one of my cousins messaged me the day after the fight,” he said. “Some of my cousins were celebrating my loss. They sent me a video of them in a small circle in Danun, the slum I lived in when I first arrived in South Africa. Do you know how much that eats you?”
Gorimbo’s journey to the UFC is nothing short of remarkable. Orphaned at 13, he survived working illegally in Zimbabwe’s dangerous Blood Diamond trade as a teenager.
Zimbabwean Fighter, Themba Gorimbo says his cousins celebrated, after he lost a UFC fight because he doesn’t send them money. pic.twitter.com/e5DJCVC0vB
— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) January 2, 2025
Despite his hardships, he made history in May 2023 as the first Zimbabwean to win a UFC fight, defeating Takashi Sato after a challenging debut loss to AJ Fletcher.
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Ahead of his fight with Sato, Gorimbo revealed he had just $7.49 in his bank account, a revelation that caught the attention of Hollywood star and WWE legend Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Inspired by Gorimbo’s story, Johnson surprised him with a home for his family, calling the act of kindness a symbolic connection to their shared struggles.
Reflecting on his journey, Gorimbo remains focused on making a difference despite financial challenges. “I’m not a millionaire. Maybe one day I will be,” he said. “All I try to do is get better—not just for myself but for others. I might not directly help you, but maybe I’ll build a well for the community. And yet, people expect you to give them thousands of dollars like it’s nothing.”
Before his defeat to Luque, Gorimbo had built an impressive four-fight winning streak, defeating fighters like Takashi Sato, Pete Rodriguez, Ramiz Brahimaj, and Niko Price. Despite the setback, Gorimbo’s resilience and commitment to uplifting his community continue to inspire fans and fellow fighters alike.
