He Had Just $7 — Now He’s a UFC Star: The Incredible Story of Themba Gorimbo
Themba Gorimbo’s journey to the UFC octagon is one of the most remarkable stories in modern sports. It’s a tale of unimaginable hardship, unbreakable resilience, and profound generosity that took him from being an orphan in Zimbabwe’s diamond fields to a celebrated fighter on the world stage. His life changed forever with a viral social media post revealing he had just $7 to his name—a moment that captured the world's attention and inspired a life-changing intervention from global superstar Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
By Thomas Gerbasi, Mark Lawson & Vladislav Matveev | Updated November 2, 2025
A Journey Forged in Fire
Themba Takura Lawrence Gorimbo was born on **January 23, 1991**, in Bikita, Masvingo, Zimbabwe. His life was marked by tragedy from a young age; his mother died when he was just nine, and his father passed away four years later, leaving him an orphan at 13. To survive, he began illegally digging for diamonds in the dangerous Marange fields.
"I'm not shy to say I was stealing diamonds and smuggling them. It was normal then," Gorimbo has stated. This perilous life came to a head one night when he was caught by police and attacked by German Shepherds. "If you see my body, I've got dog marks all over my body," he recalled. "I lost a lot of blood and I almost died. That night probably changed me mentally as a person."
At 17, after finding a 12-carat diamond, Gorimbo seized the opportunity to escape to South Africa. The journey was treacherous. After being deported once, he tried again just hours later, only for his group to be ambushed by bandits who attacked and killed many of them; Gorimbo survived by fainting. He was later held hostage for two weeks by the smuggler who had helped him cross the border.
Arriving in Johannesburg with nothing, he distributed flyers to earn money for food before moving to Cape Town, where he worked grueling 18-hour days as a gardener, painter, and security guard.
Discovering a New Path
At 19, Gorimbo's life changed direction after watching the movie **"Never Back Down."** Inspired, he walked into a local gym and dedicated himself to martial arts. "It was very tough but I had to make that sacrifice because I really wanted to become an MMA fighter," he said. The coach, seeing his dedication, eventually let him train for free.
He had his first amateur fight in 2010 and turned professional in 2013. He rose through the ranks in South Africa, becoming the **EFC Welterweight Champion** and earning the nickname "The Answer" before securing a contract with the UFC.
The $7 That Moved the World
After a debut loss in the UFC, Gorimbo faced Takashi Sato in May 2023 in what felt like a must-win fight. He revealed that after buying medicine for the flu, he had just **$7.49 left in his bank account**. He had been sleeping on a couch at the MMA Masters gym in Miami to save money.
Despite being ill, he won the fight, becoming the first Zimbabwean to win in the UFC. His post-fight story of having only $7 went viral. It caught the attention of **Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson**, who was deeply moved, having once had only $7 himself. Johnson flew to Miami, surprised Gorimbo at his gym, and gifted him a fully furnished house so he could bring his family to the United States.
A Champion for His People
Themba Gorimbo has consistently used his platform and earnings to give back to his community in Zimbabwe. After his first UFC win, he auctioned his fight kit and used the proceeds to build a borehole, providing clean water for his village in Bikita. His efforts have since helped fund additional water projects.
He is also in the process of building a **solar-powered library** in his village to provide educational resources for local children. In recognition of his selfless work, he was awarded the **"Fighting Spirit of the Year"** at the 2023 Fighters Only World MMA Awards.
Career in the Octagon
As of November 2025, Themba Gorimbo's professional MMA record stands at **14 wins and 5 losses**. His UFC record is **4-2**, with notable victories over Takashi Sato, Pete Rodriguez, Ramiz Brahimaj, and Niko Price. His last fight was a competitive setback against top contender Vicente Luque in December 2024.
He is scheduled to make his return to the octagon against **Jeremiah Wells on Saturday, November 1, 2025**, at the UFC Apex. Gorimbo remains driven by his ultimate goal: "I will become a champion in the UFC," he has declared. For a man who has already conquered so much, that goal feels entirely within reach.
David (Solar Sales)