For the first time, Zimbabwe-born UFC fighter Themba “The Mamba” Gorimbo has openly laid bare a decision that has quietly shaped his life behind the scenes.
In a recent interview that quickly sparked debate online, Gorimbo admitted he has deliberately cut off communication with his family — a move he describes as painful, but unavoidable.
The comments struck a nerve, not just because of who he is, but because they touch on family expectations many Africans know all too well.
Why Gorimbo Says He Had to Draw the Line
After the interview aired, the UFC athlete returned to social media to clear the air.
According to him, the choice wasn’t impulsive or driven by anger.
Instead, it came after years of pressure, constant conflict, and demands that began to threaten the very career he has sacrificed everything for.
Now in his mid-30s, Gorimbo says he’s acutely aware that his window in the sport is closing fast.
In his own words, this stage of his life is simple: it’s “now or never.”
If he wants to reach the top of the UFC, total focus isn’t optional — it’s essential.
From Southern Africa to the World Stage
Gorimbo’s rise has been nothing short of remarkable.
From his roots in Zimbabwe and South Africa to competing under the brightest lights in the UFC, his story has been celebrated as a symbol of possibility.
Back home, achievements like his often carry more than personal meaning — they become shared victories, loaded with expectation.
When he relocated to the United States, Gorimbo says he felt a strong obligation to lift others along with him.
Success, to him, wasn’t meant to be enjoyed alone.
Trying to Give Back — And Giving Too Much
Once he earned a UFC contract, Gorimbo threw himself into helping those back home.
He spoke about arranging job opportunities, connecting people to sponsors, and sending money — something he says he never had the ability to do before joining the UFC.
He even supported projects in his village, hoping his success could ripple outward.
But over time, what started as generosity slowly became overwhelming.
Expectations grew, demands multiplied, and gratitude was replaced with entitlement.
When Support Turns Into Strain
Gorimbo says the emotional toll became impossible to ignore.
Family disagreements, constant requests for money, and pressure he felt others didn’t understand began to weigh heavily on him.
He explained that no matter how much he gave, it never seemed to be enough.
At times, he admits, he even dipped into sponsorship funds — money meant to sustain his career — to help others, only to have his efforts questioned or dismissed.
For a professional athlete trying to survive at the highest level, that kind of stress was unsustainable.
Accusations That Cut Deeper Than Criticism
One of the most painful moments Gorimbo shared involved accusations of witchcraft — a familiar stigma tied to success in many African communities.
He revealed that some relatives suggested his rise in the UFC came at the expense of others’ “luck.”
Those claims, he said, were devastating. Instead of pride or support, his achievements became a source of suspicion and division, deepening the rift within his family.
Chaos at the Worst Possible Time
The timing of these family conflicts made matters worse.
Gorimbo described how disputes often flared up during fight camps — the most intense and mentally demanding periods of a fighter’s career.
Emotional distractions during those moments, he said, directly threatened his preparation, performance, and mental health.
Eventually, he realised that chasing a dream of this magnitude while constantly managing family crises was simply impossible.
Choosing Focus Over Familiarity
In the end, Gorimbo says the decision to cut ties wasn’t about abandoning his roots or rejecting his culture.
It was about survival — both professionally and personally.
He needed peace, clarity, and space to chase something that may never come again.
For him, stepping back from family wasn’t a victory. It was a last resort.
But as he sees it, if becoming a UFC champion means standing alone for now, then that’s the price he’s willing to pay.
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