UFC fighter Themba Gorimbo has looked back on his near-death experience during brutally rough times at a young age.
Gorimbo was born in Africa, specifically Zimbabwe. He lived in the rougher areas of the country and experienced tragedy at a young age. During an appearance on the “Believe You Me” podcast, Gorimbo detailed the loss of his parents and having to smuggle diamonds to survive.
“My parents passed on when I was very, very young,” Gorimbo said. “My father at 13, my mother at 9, and you know, I had to grow up very fast. I’m the first born in my family, me and my young brother, and I had to do some things that I don’t think I should have done at a young age, like smuggling diamonds. I think that alone, being at the diamond fields is the reason why, probably, I fight because I was groomed from that young age that, ‘You know what? If you want something, you have to go for it no matter what, even if it’s dangerous.”
Gorimbo said he entered the diamond fields at the age of 16. He revealed witnessing other people being shot and killed while trying to smuggle diamonds to feed themselves and their families. Gorimbo said that he was actually close to dying.
“I almost died myself at the diamond fields,” Gorimbo said. “I’ve been bitten by dogs. Like five German Shepherds were biting me and lost blood and almost died after that. I think that was a turning point in my life, personally.”
Themba Gorimbo has overcome the horrifying experiences to become a UFC athlete. He is 1-1 under the UFC banner, and currently trains at MMA Masters in Miami, Florida.
