By Tendai Chisiri
Zimbabwean UFC fighter Themba “The Answer” Gorimbo has announced his retirement from mixed martial arts as an athlete, saying he is stepping away to focus on his family and health.
Gorimbo posted on Facebook . He said he had “given all I can in the sport” and was walking away after failing to achieve his goal of becoming UFC champion.
“My dream was to be a UFC champion and if I cannot be that I am going to walk away from the sport,” Gorimbo wrote. “It’s not easy but I’ve tried.”
The 34-year-old said he might return to the sport in the future as a coach or manager, but for now his priority is his family. “Father Time is calling. I will now be a present father for my daughters,” he said.
Gorimbo reflected on his journey to the UFC, describing it as a hard path that made him “history in all aspects of life.” He said he was proud to have “given it all I had” and to have made connections and friends along the way.
“I can say I didn’t become a UFC champion but I can certainly say I have given it all I had,” he wrote. “Now I can reminisce to a career that was.”
The fighter said his body was struggling with injuries, noting that “right now everything hurts. From this to that.” He added that he wanted to rest, focus on his health, and “venture into new territory” while remaining present for his daughters.
“My biggest motivation is my daughters. I want to see them play Wimbledon and win it,” he said.
Gorimbo ended his posts with a message to young African athletes, urging them to pursue their dreams. “Follow your dreams and give it your all. You never know where you land. The sky is the limit. God is good.”
Gorimbo made his UFC debut in 2023 and quickly became one of Zimbabwe’s most recognizable MMA athletes. He has not indicated a date for his last fight, but stated he is “officially retired from MMA as an athlete.”
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