If I Die, Scatter My Ashes at Kruger’ – Zimbabwean UFC Pioneer Gorimbo Opens Up on His Journey and Broken Family Ties
By TUW
Zimbabwean UFC fighter Themba “The Answer” Gorimbo has made startling and deeply personal remarks about his relationship with his family and country of birth, saying he has completely cut ties with both after years of feeling unsupported.
In an interview with CNN journalist Larry Madowo, Gorimbo revealed that he no longer considers Zimbabwe or his family part of his life, despite making history as the first Zimbabwean to win a UFC fight. His comments highlighted the emotional scars left by his difficult upbringing and long struggle to succeed in professional mixed martial arts.
“If I die, burn my body and throw my dust at Kruger National Park,” Gorimbo said, underscoring the extent of his estrangement. He added that he has blocked all family members and no longer maintains contact with anyone back home.
“Nobody in Zimbabwe supported me, not even my family,” he stated.
Gorimbo was born in Bikita, a rural area in southern Zimbabwe, and endured significant hardship from a young age. He lost his mother at the age of 12 and his father a year later, leaving him orphaned before his teenage years. With no stable support system, he dropped out of school at 16 and struggled to survive, a period he has previously described as marked by homelessness and extreme poverty.
Despite these challenges, Gorimbo went on to carve out a professional fighting career, eventually breaking into the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Known by his nicknames “The Answer” and “Mamba,” he made history in 2023 by becoming the first Zimbabwean to win a UFC bout in the United States, a milestone achievement for the country’s representation in global mixed martial arts.
While many in Zimbabwe celebrated his success, Gorimbo maintains that the support came too late and did not reflect the reality of his journey. He insists that during his years of struggle, he felt abandoned and forgotten, an experience that shaped his current outlook.
Now competing on one of the world’s biggest combat sports stages, Gorimbo says his focus is firmly on his career and his pursuit of a UFC title, rather than reconciliation with the past. His comments have sparked debate across social media, with some expressing sympathy for his experiences, while others have called for healing and dialogue.
