Eight-fight UFC vet issues retirement after recent loss: ‘I dared to be someone’

This departing Ultimate Fighting Championship talent is sticking to his guns of title or bust. Surprising fans and media with a sudden announcement on Thursday, UFC welterweight Themba Gorimbo (14-7) has decided to hang up his gloves. The Zimbabwe-born Gorimbo last competed mere weeks ago, dropping a split call to Jonathan Micallef to lose his third straight.

Posting on Instagram giving his thanks to supporters and farewell to the sport, Gorimbo declared that if he could not be a champion, he would not continue. Gorimbo made waves in the community by declaring after his first UFC victory—a decision over Takashi Sato in 2023—that he was flat broke, with a mere $7. 49 in his bank account.

This garnered the attention of pro wrestling superstar-turned-actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who explained that hearing Gorimbo’s story reminded him of his own difficulties coming up as an athlete, right down to seven-dollar similarity. Johnson surprised Gorimbo by purchasing him a house in Miami, which allowed Gorimbo to sleep somewhere other than his gym of MMA Masters. It’s not easy but I’ve tried In his post on Instagram , Gorimbo provided an image of his last defeat, while explaining his decision to call it a day in active competition.

“Thank you to [the] UFC and everyone,” Gorimbo wrote. “I dared to be someone and something and failed. Gave all I can in the sport and I am walking away from the sport.