Themba Gorimbo
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Themba Takura Lawrence "The Answer" Gorimbo (born in Bikita, Masvingo, Zimbabwe) is a professional mixed martial artist (MMA) competing in the welterweight division.[1]
Career[edit]
He bought his own plane ticket to go to the USA. He only had money for the plane ticket and had to sleep at the gym preparing for his fight.[2] He has an MMA record of 13 wins, 4 losses, and 0 draws.[1] He is currently ranked #48 Best MMA Welterweight Fighter[1] and is on a 3 match winning streak.[3] In his latest fight Gorimbo faced Ramiz Brahimaj on May 18, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 241.[4] He won the bout by unanimous decision.[5] He became the first Zimbabwean to win a fight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) by defeating Takashi Sato in May 2023.[6]
In February 2024, Themba signed an endorsement deal with ZOA Energy.[7]
Early life[edit]
He lost his mom at the age of 12 and his dad at 13. He dropped out of school at the age of 16 to become a blood diamond smuggler in order to survive and take care of his younger brother.[8] He was bitten by German Shepard dogs after he was caught digging for blood diamond illegally at the mines.[8] At age 17, Themba fled to South Africa, where he eventually discovered MMA.[9]
Philanthropy[edit]
In a post match interview, on his first MMA win, Themba mentioned that he did not have any money, that he had $7 in his account.[2] That caught the attention of former WWE and Hollywood star Dwayne Johnson who surprised Themba at his gym. Touched by Themba's story of having $7 in his account, probably due to the fact that Dwayne Johnson also had $7 after being dropped by the NFL, Dwayne Johnson surprised Themba by buying him a house.[9]
Themba started a project of drilling boreholes in Bikita, the village he grew up in, in Zimbabwe. He received assistance from the AUE Warriors (a professional mixed martial arts organisation based in Abu Dhabi) including John Rogoveanu, a philanthropist.[6] He started with two boreholes.[10]
He plans to build a solar powered library in his hometown so that children can be able to study after hours.[11]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c "Themba Gorimbo ("The Answer") | MMA Fighter Page". Tapology. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
- ^ a b Heck, Mike (2023-05-22). "Themba Gorimbo only had $7 in bank account ahead of UFC Vegas 73 win, praises 'great guy' Colby Covington". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
- ^ "Themba Gorimbo wins third UFC match on the trot". Bulawayo24 News. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
- ^ Raghuwanshi, Vipin (2024-03-01). "Ramiz Brahimaj vs Themba Gorimbo Reported for May 18 UFC Event". www.itnwwe.com. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
- ^ Dewar, Val (2024-05-19). "UFC Vegas 92: Themba Gorimbo Outwrestles Wrestler Ramiz Brahimaj". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
- ^ a b https://www.herald.co.zw/gorimbo-wins-over-dwayne-johnson-the-rock/
- ^ "ZOA Energy Announces Sponsorship of Professional Mixed Martial Arts Fi". zoaenergy.com. Retrieved 2024-05-21.
- ^ a b Heck, Mike (2021-10-28). "We Got Next: Modestas Bukauskas, David Onama, and Themba Gorimbo". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
- ^ a b "Welcome to the $7 club: How 'The Rock' changed a UFC fighter's life". ESPN.com. 2024-02-02. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
- ^ Thakuri, Aaindri (2023-08-21). "UFC Fighter Helps Rural Area After Financial Aid From $800M Worth WWE Star The Rock". Inside Sport India. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
- ^ Bedi, Harddit (2024-02-04). "UFC News: Backed by Dwayne Johnson, Themba Gorimbo Reveals Solar Powered Library Is in His Plans Through Auction- "Kids Can Go at Night"". EssentiallySports. Retrieved 2024-05-21.