Themba Gorimbo Biography: An Inspiring Story of An Zimbabwean UFC Fighter

The legendary actor Sylvester Stallone once said, “It isn’t about how hard you can hit; it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.” And Themba Gorimbo biography is a personification of this famous quote.

Gorimbo is a Zimbabwean UFC fighter who has overcome extreme obstacles in his life to achieve his dreams. It is said every family has a person that breaks the chain of poverty. Similarly, the MMA master who grew up in poverty has now become a true champion and a role model for young people all around the world.

Dear readers, stay with us to know more about the UFC fighter who wrestled and won life’s extreme brawls.

Grew Up in a Tragic Series of Events: Poverty and Lost His Family

Themba T. Lawrence Gorimbo was born on January 23, 1991, in a small village called Bikita, Masvingo, in Zimbabwe. Themba grew up experiencing tragic events. His mother passed away when he was 9, and his father died when he was 13.

Have you watched the 2006 movie Blood Diamond starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Djimon Hounsou? If so, then you can relate to Themba’s story. When he was 16 years old, Gorimbo traveled to the local field to illegally dig for Marange diamonds and smuggle them. However, while doing so, he was nearly killed.

One unfortunate day, while Gorimbo was on the hunt for diamonds, police showed up and caught him. The situation quickly escalated, and the police had German shepherds bite him, leaving him with scars all over his body. Despite losing a lot of blood, he miraculously survived, but that incident forever changed him as a person.

Themba Gorimbo Biography. Image Source: Instagram

After getting deported two times while trying to get into South Africa, Gorimbo, at 18, finally arrived in South Africa to pursue his dream of becoming a professional fighter. He started training at a local gym and quickly showed promising potential.

Themba never had the opportunity to train in martial arts as a child, but he always dreamed of becoming a fighter. Further, Themba won his first few amateur fights and then began a professional fighting career in 2012.

Rise As A UFC Standout: Pursued Fighting Career After Watching A Movie

Nicknamed “The Answer,” Gorimbo, at 19, began fighting in 2010 after seeing the film Never Back Down. By 2013, he was a pro, and in February 2023, he made his UFC debut, losing via submission to AJ Fletcher.

After the loss with Fletcher, Gorimbo kick-started his second UFC fight with an impressive win against Takashi Sato in May 2023. This win could be counted as the turning point of Themba’s life. This time a good turning point.

Gorimbo is a true inspiration to anyone who has ever dreamed of achieving something great. He is proof that anything is possible if you set your mind to it and never give up on your dreams.

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Story of 7 Bucks: Why Dwayne Johnson Surprised the Homeless Fighter?

Gorimbo garnered attention when he opened up about his financial struggles after arriving in the United States. In a post-match interview, the fighter revealed that he had just $7.49 in his bank account before his victorious performance at UFC Vegas 73.

This story touched the heart of millions, and one particular person who was deeply moved by Themba’s story was actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

On June 10, Dwayne tweeted on his account sharing an article written by ESPN MMA. In his tweet, the Hobbs and Shaw actor wrote that Themba’s story about poverty brought him back his own memories. Dwayne recalled how he also once had $7 before starting his acting career.

After vowing to help the UFC fighter, Dwayne surprised Themba by paying a visit to the UFC gym in Florida. The actor lived up to his promise and gifted Gorimbo a luxurious house after hearing about the MMA fighter’s struggles as he tried to settle in America.

Themba Gorimbo Biography. Image Source: Twitter

Both The Rock and Themba shared the video where in a heartwarming and unexpected gesture, Dwayne surprised Themba. Meanwhile, Gorimbo, unaware of the situation, was left speechless when his idol, The Rock, appeared before him. The Fast and Furious actor expressed his admiration for Gorimbo’s dedication and determination, despite the challenges he faced.

UFC Fighter Themba Gorimbo Net Worth: Beginning of An Impressive Fortune

The average UFC fighter salary is $128,000 per year. However, the highest-paid UFC fighters can earn millions of dollars per fight. In 2022, Conor McGregor earned $23 million for his fight against Dustin Poirier. Other top earners include Jon Jones, who earned $5 million for his fight against Dominick Reyes, and Khabib Nurmagomedov, who earned $6 million for his fight against Justin Gaethje.

However, the UFC fighter has yet to establish himself as a household name in the UFC. The win against Sato was a much-needed bounce in his career, but he still has a long way to go in order to leave his mark on the octagon. Talking about Themba Gorimbo’s earnings, he was paid $12,000 in base pay and $4,000 in incentive pay after the win at UFC 73.

 

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A post shared by Dwayne Johnson (@therock)

UFC fighters earn their money through a combination of base salaries, performance bonuses, and pay-per-view (PPV) points. The base salary is negotiated between the fighter and the UFC. Performance bonuses are awarded to fighters who win by knockout, submission, or decision. PPV points are awarded to fighters who are featured in pay-per-view events.

A UFC fighter’s money also depends on their experience and popularity. More experienced and popular fighters are able to negotiate higher salaries and bonuses. With a promising career ahead, it is obvious that Themba Gorimbo net worth will turn into a significant amount in the future. For now, he has more than $7 in his name after the UFC win and newfound recognition.

In conclusion, Themba Gorimbo has overcome poverty and adversity to achieve his dreams. He is a role model for young people in Zimbabwe and around the world. Further, he is proof that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.