Themba Gorimbo announces retirement from MMA: ‘I dared to be someone and something and failed’

By Damon Martin l MMA.com

THEMBA Gorimbo, who famously befriended Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, has decided to call it a career.

Following his third straight loss in the octagon, the 35-year-old veteran announced his retirement from the sport on social media. With his chances of becoming UFC champion likely out of reach, Gorimbo decided to hang up his gloves for good, although he may eventually return to the sport in a different role outside of fighting.

“Thank you to UFC and everyone. I dared to be someone and something and failed,” Gorimbo wrote on Instagram.

“Gave all I can in the sport and I am walking away from the sport. My dream was to be a UFC champion and if I cannot be that I am going to walk away from the sport. It’s not easy but I’ve tried.

“Maybe I will make a comeback as a coach or manager someday but for now the focus will be my family.

“Thank you to everyone I’ve met on the journey and everyone who has helped me along the journey. I am officially retired from MMA as an athlete.”

Gorimbo first joined the UFC roster back in 2023 but suffered a loss to A.J. Fletcher in his debut.

It was around the time that Gorimbo got his first win that same year that he talked about having only $7 in his bank account prior to that fight. Despite his financial hardships, Gorimbo announced plans to auction off his fight kit and using that money to help fund a water well being built in his native Zimbabwe.

His charity caught the attention of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who is a longtime fan of fighting and now a board member at TKO Group Holdings — the owner of the UFC.

Johnson ended up surprising Gorimbo by buying a house for him in Florida after he was living full-time in a backroom of the gym where he was training. An emotional Gorimbo profusely thanked Johnson for his gift and it wasn’t long before he put together an impressive four-fight winning streak in the UFC.

But that ended in 2024 when Gorimbo was submitted by Vicente Luque in just 52 seconds when they met at UFC 310. Gorimbo then added two more losses in a row including a split decision to Jonathan Micallef at UFC Perth in May.

The third loss in a row was enough for Gorimbo to decide enough was enough and he declared his plans to retire from the sport.

If this truly is the end, Gorimbo retires with a 14-7 overal record including a 4-4 stint in the UFC.

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