- Themba Gorimbo revealed that he has been broke but there were people who have been helping him, including Colby Covington
- “The Answer” is auctioning his UFC fight gear to raise money for the installation of a water pump in his hometown
Themba Gorimbo is thrilled to have secured his first UFC win after beating Takashi Sato via decision at UFC Vegas 73. He took the opportunity to thank those who have been helping him during his post-fight press conference.
Slowly getting back up
According to Gorimbo, he has been broke since he arrived in the U.S. And while he’s happy that he’s getting paid after his victory, “The Answer” emphasized that winning is more important for him.
“I’ve been broke I came to America seven weeks ago without money I only have money to fly to get leave from the airport to the gym then stayed in the gym then two weeks later like a friend sent me 200,” Gorimbo said. “So it’s been a roller coaster for me. I didn’t have money, if you look in my bank account there’s seven dollars right now in my bank account, seven dollars you know and I have to enjoy this I don’t know how much I’m getting paid actually because what all I focused on this fight was to get the win the win was the most important thing money is a byproduct of winning.”
Gorimbo also revealed that a lot of people who used to back him up left him when suffered a submission loss in his UFC debut against A.J. Fletcher in February. However, there were also those who remained good to him and that includes former UFC interim welterweight champion Colby Covington.
“Everyone just kind of moved away straight after I lost,” he revealed. “When I got home, everybody [treat me] like I’m a guy that was smelling like s—t. People kind of ignored me. People that I helped kind of ignored me. A lot of people, even people that were close to me… even my own brother, man. I love my brother because my brother is my blood at the end of the day. But the truth must be told man, it hurts me so much that I do so much for people. Bro, I do so much for people. People might not tell you, but I do so much for people back home. And for them to do what they did to me, I hope the Lord forgives them.”
“Colby Covington, he is such a great guy, man,” he continued. “Colby Covington sometimes would bring food for me at the gym. People say what they say and want to avoid him, but that guy’s a great man. You have to know him to kind of know him. Just like me.”
Helping is Themba’s mission
In a Twitter post, Gorimbo auctioned his UFC Vegas 73 fight gear as he aims to raise money for the building of a water pump in his home village in Zimbabwe.
“Auction time – so I’ve always wanted to do this and forgot to do this yesterday at press conference. I want to auction my fight kit from yesterday fight and put the money towards building a water pump back home in my village in Zimbabwe. The money I need to get is $3200 for this,” he wrote.
The win over Sato improved Gorimbo’s pro record to 11-4. He will hope to follow it up with another win in his next trip to the Octagon.
As for Covington, he is edging closer to competing for the welterweight title once again as the UFC works on his title fight with Leon Edwards.
