Themba Gombo, the prospect who was backed by the ‘The Rock’ Dwayne Johnson, shook the world again in a recent press conference. He is set to fight Ramiz Brahimaj on the UFC Vegas 92 card, this Saturday. However, when asked about his take on the fight, he simply broke down in tears.
Gorimbo’s stories have often been tearjerkers for the fans. The mixed martial artist lost his mother when he was just 9 years old and went to the fields to illegally dig for the Marange diamonds when he turned 16. He did not have a path laid down for him. However, with only a handful of dollars in his pocket, the fighter won over the world through his performances in the previous fights. Nevertheless, when he heard about his friend’s mother’s passing, he could not hold his tears back.
Themba Gorimbo breaks down while talking about his motivation to win
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In the press conference before the events of the upcoming UFC Fight Night, ‘The Answer’ was asked about his plan to win his fight against Brahimaj. The Zimbabwe native, however, erupted in cries as he talked about his motivation. He revealed that his coach lost his mother to cancer a couple of hours ago. Empathizing with the coach, the fighter could not hold back his tears and claimed that he would win for the one who trained him.
“All I know is I’m going to win in spectacular fashion, for my coach, whose mother just died like 2 hours ago. He’s been here with me for 8 weeks. He tells me his mother is sick with cancer, you know,” said Gorimbo. He disclosed that he also had plans to go and visit his coach’s mother, but unfortunately, that could not be. Nevertheless, the fighter promised, “And I’m going to win for him.”
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But when the interviewer assumed that Gorimbo had even more on his shoulders, ‘The Answer’ denied and said that he planned on winning, anyway. He said, “It’s not on my shoulders man. It’s not on my shoulders. I’ve been wanting to do that anyway. Because he sacrificed 8 weeks of his life, you know. Obviously, I pay him to be here helping me get better with my wrestling and stuff. But I cannot bring his mother back.”
As someone who lost his mother at a young age, he is no stranger to this tragedy. But Gorimbo’s own life wasn’t short on the challenges it threw his way.
Struggle ‘The Answer’ had to go through
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The fighter from Zimbabwe previously revealed that he had a tad bit more than $7 in bank accounts before his fight against Takashi Sato in UFC Vegas 73. However, as he displayed phenomenal performance in the Octagon, he received a pay that propelled him forward in his UFC career. But the shocker came when Dwayne Johnson swooped in to support the mixed martial artist.
Themba Gorimbo's story is incredible 👏 (h/t @TheAnswerMMA) pic.twitter.com/Ky1eJQG0gy
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 22, 2023
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Coming from humble beginnings, ‘The Rock’ seemingly found his own image in Gorimbo. Without wasting a moment, the WWE star extended a hand of friendship to the fighter. Thereafter, with his second victory over Pete Rodriguez, Johnson gifted Gorimbo a brand-new house in Florida. Without a doubt, the gesture splashed Gorimbo’s eyes with tears. Despite being soft and kind-hearted, the fighter’s prowess in the Octagon is nothing short of phenomenal.
If he claims a victory over Brahimaj, he would go on a three-fight win streak in the UFC, while giving the coach a win. But would he be able to do it? Only time can tell.