Dwayne Johnson-Sponsored UFC Fighter Themba Gorimbo Retires After 3-Year Run

UFC fighters often come from underprivileged backgrounds, using MMA to escape hardship and poverty. Alex Pereira worked in a tire shop in Brazil, while Charles Oliveira delivered food before becoming a UFC champion. Themba Gorimbo‘s story is no different, as he rose from extreme poverty to reach the UFC in 2023. However, the 35-year-old Zimbabwean fighter has now retired after facing back-to-back losses.

During his UFC run, Gorimbo competed in eight bouts and finished with a 4-4 record inside the promotion. He secured early wins over Takashi Sato, Pete Rodriguez, Ramiz Brahimaj, and Niko Price, building momentum. However, his progress stalled after a 52-second submission loss to Vicente Luque in late 2024. That defeat began a run of declining results that carried into his final fights before retirement.

Following his loss to Luque, Gorimbo also lost to Jeremiah Wells and Jonathan Micallef. Despite earlier success and notable wins inside the promotion, he was unable to build the consistency needed to reach contender status in the division. After his latest split decision loss to Micallef at UFC Perth, ‘Mamba’ announced his retirement on Instagram, officially bringing his MMA career to a close.

Thank you to @ufc and everyone. I dared to be someone and something and failed. Gave all I can in the sport and I am walking away from the sport. My dream was to be a UFC champion, and if I cannot be that, I am going to walk away from the sport. It’s not easy, but I’ve tried. Maybe I will make a comeback as a Coach or Manager someday, but for now, the focus will be on my family. Thank you to everyone I’ve met on the journey and everyone who has helped me along the journey. I am officially retired from MMA as an athlete.

Themba Gorimbo via Instagram

Themba Gorimbo has retired from MMA.

“My dream is as to be a ufc champion and I cannot be that I am going to walk away from the sport” pic.twitter.com/7SH27lkKDF

— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) May 21, 2026

Gorimbo’s UFC rise gained attention through his link with WWE superstar Dwayne Johnson after he revealed he had just $7 in his bank account. The story is connected with Johnson’s own “Seven Bucks” past. Johnson later bought Gorimbo a fully furnished house in Miami after learning he was sleeping on a gym couch while training. The support included basic home furniture and improved his living conditions.

Gorimbo has also used his platform to inspire African children facing hardships similar to his own upbringing. He encourages them to stay disciplined and believe success is possible despite poverty or difficult circumstances. He has often highlighted his own journey from Zimbabwe to the UFC as proof that persistence can change life outcomes. His message focuses on turning adversity into motivation.

Themba Gorimbo’s journey also extended beyond fighting through charitable work aimed at giving back to his community. His efforts have focused on improving living conditions and educational opportunities in rural Zimbabwe. These initiatives highlight his commitment to impact beyond MMA. While retired from competition, it remains unclear if ‘Mamba’ will return as a coach or manager in the future.

Themba Gorimbo reveals why he has cut ties with his family

Themba Gorimbo’s interview highlights a fighter shaped by hardship and a long road through regional MMA to the UFC. He has described his journey from Zimbabwe as one built on survival, sacrifice, and a refusal to quit despite limited resources. His early Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) career in Africa helped build his experience, sharpening his grappling style and preparing him for the UFC level.

Gorimbo has also shown himself to be an emotional figure, openly expressing vulnerability during difficult personal moments. In one instance, he broke down in tears after revealing the death of his coach’s mother, showing strong emotional bonds within his team. He also revealed that after a loss, he cut ties with his family, saying they celebrated his defeat instead of supporting him.

I do not talk to any of them. I love my family from afar because if I keep talking to my family members, I will not achieve my goals. Such a thing changes a man, especially at the lowest point of your career, because that was my lowest. So, I do not belong to Zimbabwe, and neither do I belong to my family. I belong to anyone who wants to draw inspiration from my work. My family feels entitled because that’s how our mindset is.  If I had a choice, I would even change my surname and just be called Themba.

Themba Gorimbo via CNN

Controversial Zimbabwean mixed martial artist Themba Gorimbo,
competing in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), says he has cut ties with his family and his country of birth, and wants his remains after death to be burnt and thrown in the wild… pic.twitter.com/blI6vMcTPx

— TheNewsHawks (@NewsHawksLive) January 24, 2026

Themba Gorimbo has shared deeply personal views about life and death, saying he wants his remains scattered in a park when he dies. He expressed love for friends in Zimbabwe but said he does not want to be tied to the nation as a whole. Despite this, he continues giving back through charity work. He has built five boreholes in his village, supported students’ school fees, and plans to expand his efforts further.

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