Themba Gorimbo has risen from the ashes of adversity to pursue his dreams. From toiling in the unforgiving blood diamond mines of Zimbabwe as a teenager to stepping into the octagon, Gorimbo has been an inspiration for many. He started his UFC journey at UFC Fight Night 219 but had to go home with a submission loss against A.J. Fletcher.

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However, Gorimbo came back with an impressive victory in his second UFC outing at UFC Vegas 73. Moreover, the UFC fighter gained immense support when he tweeted about having merely $7 before his UFC fight. Big names like Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson extended their appreciation towards the fighter, and fans wanted to know more about his story.

Recently, Gorimbo sat down with Michael Bisping and Anthony Smith on their podcast, peeling back layers of his inspiring ascent.

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Themba Gorimbo’s struggles to get recognised by Dana White

He revealed the challenges he faced, both financially and personally, that shaped his path to the octagon. As Gorimbo shared his story, he highlighted the lengths to which he went to catch the attention of the UFC. Despite being on their radar since 2019, circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic delayed his opportunity.

He stated, “I want to tell people you know I was on the UFC radar for a very long period of time since 2019. They kept saying ‘okay we’re gonna give him a chance’ and then the COVID happened.”

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Undeterred, Gorimbo took matters into his own hands, emailing the UFC and booking his own flights to get a chance to fight in front of the promotion’s boss, Dana White.

“I went as far as emailing them and showing them my tickets… I paid for my own flights, I paid for my corner men’s flights so that I can fight in front of Dana White. So that maybe I can get a chance to get in the UFC. I fell short right and then the second one again in New Orleans from Africa so expensive, I paid for my own flights again, for myself and my coach.”, said Gorimbo.

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While Gorimbo’s victories may not have been flawless, they showcased his relentless spirit and a burning desire to prove himself.

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Fans are excited to see more from this hungry and passionate fighter.

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Sushant Sharma

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Sushant Sharma is a UFC Content Analyst at EssentiallySports. A senior writer with almost 1000 articles under his belt, Sushant is always scanning the MMA landscape for current trends and breaking news. His knowledge and expertise in the sport are well-reflected in the ‘Opinion’ pieces he churns out from time to time. Sushant’s impactful style of writing has earned him a mention from boxing champion turned MMA star Claressa Shields. He is a constant presence in the live coverage team, updating the fans with all the latest news from live events in real time. In his free time, Sushant trains in combat sports and powerlifting. He is an accomplished powerlifter with silver and bronze medals at the State level. You can reach out to him at

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Debmallya Chakraborty