Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira, [email protected]
IN the brutal world of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), three straight losses can change everything. For most fighters, it is the moment they fight to save their careers. For others, it marks the beginning of the end. For Zimbabwe’s Themba Gorimbo, it became the point where he chose to walk away.
The welterweight has announced his retirement from mixed martial arts after suffering a third consecutive defeat, bringing an emotional end to a journey that once inspired fans around the world.
Gorimbo’s final fight came in Perth, where he lost by split decision to Jonathan Micallef, a result that sealed a difficult run and forced him to rethink his future in the sport.
At UFC level, losing fights has consequences. Fighters compete against the very best, and a losing streak can quickly affect their rankings, opportunities and even their place in the organisation. While three losses do not always mean an immediate exit, they often leave fighters in a must-win situation.
For Gorimbo, it became a moment of honesty. In an emotional message shared on Instagram, he confirmed that he would not continue chasing a dream he could no longer reach.
“Thank you to (the) UFC and everyone,” Gorimbo wrote. “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.”
He also hinted that his time in the sport may not be completely over — just his fighting career.
“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 as from MMA as an athlete. Thank you all.”
In a longer reflection, Gorimbo opened up about the emotional weight of his decision and the relief that came with it.
“35 years old, after 16 years in the sport, one chapter ends and the next chapter starts. Honestly, I feel some sort of relief. Going into my last fight, I made sure I lived life to the fullest during fight week because something told me I should, because it could be the last time. I have no regrets and honestly, right after the fight, I wanted to put my gloves down in the cage, but I thought, let me give Jono his moment.
“Three days later, I emailed Sean Shelby thanking him for the opportunity to bring me into the UFC. Whatever decision he would take, I was at peace, as this sport is about winning and performances, and I was failing to do that. Sean Shelby @seanshelby got me into the UFC and I am grateful that one of my dreams was fulfilled. The ultimate goal was to be a champion in the UFC. I failed at that as an athlete myself, but it’s not over. I will be back as a coach or 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 the hate. I want to thank everyone I’ve met on this journey. To my man @therock and team, I thank you for everything. The American dream wouldn’t have happened without you guys. I also want to thank my current bosses at home — my girls.
“I did not give up, but the chapter ended, and I will control my story narrative forever. God is by my side always. He is the author of my forever inspiring story. FYI: I wasn’t even supposed to be here, but I got here. Fighting is the least of my talents, and as much as it is sad, I am grateful. Now let’s focus on tennis for my daughters,” he wrote.
For many fans, the announcement was hard to take — especially given the journey that made Gorimbo one of the sport’s most inspiring figures.
In 2023, after earning his first UFC victory against Takashi Sato, Gorimbo revealed just how close he had come to giving up. At the time, he had only US$7,49 in his bank account.
That moment captured the world’s attention. His story spread far beyond the sport and eventually reached global superstar Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Moved by Gorimbo’s struggle, Johnson stepped in and bought him a house in Miami — a life-changing gesture that turned the Zimbabwean fighter into a symbol of hope.
From sleeping in gyms to owning a home in the United States, Gorimbo’s rise felt like something out of a film. And inside the cage, he backed it up. Following that breakthrough win, he went on a strong run, stringing together four consecutive victories. For a time, it looked like he might climb into the upper ranks of the welterweight division.
But in fighting, momentum can disappear as quickly as it comes. In 2024, Gorimbo began facing tougher opponents. The losses started to pile up. A submission defeat to Vicente Luque and other setbacks halted his progress and pushed him onto a difficult path.
Each fight became more than just a contest. It became a battle to stay relevant. In the end, Gorimbo chose to step away on his own terms.
“I can say I didn’t become a UFC champion but I can certainly say I have given it all I had. Becoming a UFC athlete was a hard journey. I made history in all aspects of life and won at life in the process. Now I can reminisce about a career that was. I have made great connections in my career and built many friendships along the way. I could have done many things differently. However, now Father Time is calling.
“I will now be a present father for my daughters. I want to be there with a clear mind when they win Wimbledon one day. I want to have good health for my family. Right now everything hurts — from this to that — because I pushed the envelope. I tried, and now I can rest and relax.
“I am ready to venture into new territory and be successful at that. Like I did in MMA, I will give my all in the next chapter, but most importantly, I will be a present father. My biggest motivation is my daughters. I want to see them play Wimbledon and win it. To any young African athletes out there, follow your dreams and give it your all. You never know where you will land. The sky is the limit. God is good,” he said.
While his UFC title dream may have ended, his story — from struggle to global recognition — remains one of the most powerful in recent MMA history. For fans in Zimbabwe and beyond,
Themba Gorimbo will not just be remembered for his wins or losses. He will be remembered as a fighter who dared to dream, fought his way onto the world stage, and walked away with honesty when the fight became too heavy.
