UFC fighter Themba Gorimbo, the first Zimbabwean to secure a win in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, has stirred controversy after revealing that he has cut off all communication with his family and no longer identifies with Zimbabwe.
Gorimbo made the remarks in an interview shared on X (formerly Twitter) by CNN journalist Larry Madowo on Saturday, a clip that has since gained significant traction online.
In the interview, the mixed martial artist disclosed that he deliberately severed ties with his family to protect his focus and pursue his ambitions without distraction.
“I don’t talk to any of my family members anymore. None. I don’t,” he said. When asked if that included everyone, he responded, “Not one of them. No. I have cut all my family members off my phone. Nobody. I blocked.”
Despite the decision, Gorimbo maintained that his actions were not rooted in hatred. “I love my family from far,” he said.
The UFC fighter also distanced himself from national identity, stating that he does not consider himself Zimbabwean.
“I don’t belong to Zimbabwe. I belong to the universe. I belong to every single person that wants to take inspiration from me,” he said.
Gorimbo went further to share his burial wishes, stating that he does not want to be buried in his village.
“If I die,I don’t want to be buried in my village,burn my body and throw my dust in Kruger National Park. That’s my wish,” he said.
When asked whether he now carries the hopes of Zimbabwean and African youths, Gorimbo rejected the idea of national ownership.
“I don’t belong to a certain country because I want to be free. When I’m free, I’m happy. And when I’m happy, I’m dangerous. That’s what’s important to me,” he said.
Addressing possible backlash from Zimbabweans who see him as a symbol of hope, Gorimbo insisted that he received no support from home during his journey.
“Nobody in Zimbabwe supported me, including my own family. I had this dream by myself. I went after this by myself,” he said.
He recalled being mocked for choosing mixed martial arts, describing how his ambition was viewed as a path to failure.
“People laughed at me. They said I was doing something that leads to poverty. You know you’re from Africa—when you do something out of the norm, you know how it is,” he said, referencing societal expectations around formal education and conventional employment.
While noting that he still maintains friendships in Zimbabwe, Gorimbo drew a distinction between personal relationships and national identity. “Of course, I have friends from Zimbabwe and I love them. We talk, and they support me. But when you say Zimbabwe, you’re talking about the whole country,” he said.
He also revealed that, if possible, he would change his surname. “Even if I could, I would change my surname. I can just be called Temba. That’s it,” he said.
While noting that he still maintains friendships in Zimbabwe, Gorimbo drew a distinction between personal relationships and national identity.
“My family feels entitled. That’s how our mindsets in Africa are. They feel like my success is their success. They are entitled to their guy,” he said.
Explaining the breakdown of family relationships, Gorimbo cited entitlement and cultural pressure, including what he described as “black tax.”
“Black tax is real in Africa. We cannot say no when people ask for money. We cannot say no to anything,” he said.
Reiterating his stance, Gorimbo said cutting off his family was a conscious decision to protect his future.
“I love my family from far because if I keep talking to my family members, I will not achieve my goal,” he said.
He concluded by restating his burial wish and reaffirming his independence. “If I die, burn my body and throw my dust in Kruger National Park. That’s my wish,” he said.
Gorimbo, who recently made history as Zimbabwe’s first UFC winner, said his journey to success was one he pursued alone.
Watch the video below:
𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎: ‘𝐈 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐌𝐲 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐅𝐚𝐫’ — 𝐙𝐢𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐔𝐅𝐂 𝐅𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐚 𝐆𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐛𝐨 𝐂𝐮𝐭𝐬 𝐓𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲, 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲
Credit: X | Larry Madowo
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