UFC welterweight Themba Gorimbo is calling it a career.
The Zimbabwean fighter, a former EFC champion, announced the news on social media recently, following his third consecutive loss inside the octagon at UFC Perth on May 2.
Gorimbo (14-7) made a splash upon his arrival to the company in 2023, winning four straight fights after losing his debut. After his first UFC victory, against Takashi Sato in May of 2023, Gorimbo famously revealed that he had just $7 in his bank account. That statement drew the attention of actor and WWE star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who holds an ownership stake in TKO Group Holdings, current parent company of the UFC. The Rock, himself flat broke after being cut by the NFL early in his career, gifted Gorimbo a house after being moved by his story.
Wins over Ramiz Brahimaj, Pete Rodriguez, and Niko Price followed for Themba Gorimbo, before he hit his current skid.
Writing on social media, Gorimbo thanked the UFC and his supporters, stating that “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 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.”
“Thank you all,” Gorimbo finished.
Gorimbo, who turned pro in 2013, later added additional posts addressing his retirement.
“5 years old (16 years in the sport ) one chapter ends and next chapter starts. Honestly I feel some sort of relief. Going into my last fight I made sure I lived out life to the fullest during fight week because something said I should because it could be the last time,” Gorimbo recalled. “I have no regrets and honestly right after the fight I wanted to let the gloves down in the cage but I thought let me give Jono [Jonathan Micallef] his moment.”
“3 days later I emailed Sean Shelby thanking him for the opportunity to bring me in the UFC. Whatever decision he would take I would at peace as this sport is about winning and performances and I was failing to do that. Sean Shelby got me into the UFC and I am grateful that one of my dreams got fulfilled.”
“The ultimate goal was to be a champion in UFC. I failed at that as an athlete myself but it’s not over. I will be back as a Coach / Manager. I want to thank my manager, teammates over the years and all the coaches I’ve worked with. Everyone taught me something. Even those we don’t communicate [with] now. I want to thank the fans for the love and hate. I want to thank everyone I’ve met on this journey. To my man The Rock and team I thank you for everything. American dream wouldn’t have happened without you guys. I want to thank my current bosses at home (my girls).”
Gorimbo added that he plans to focus on tennis for his daughters in the immediate future.
