The UFC Fighter Who Cut Off His Entire Family

Published: 29th Jan 2026 By Eva Gists 3min read

Themba Gorimbo made history as the first Zimbabwean to win a UFC fight, but his recent revelations have sparked controversy far beyond the octagon.
In a January 2026 interview with CNN's Larry Madowo, the 35-year-old welterweight dropped a bombshell: he's completely cut off contact with his family back in Zimbabwe.
"I don't talk to any of my family members anymore. None," Gorimbo stated bluntly. "I have cut all my family members off my phone. I blocked them all. I love my family from far."

Gorimbo's path to the UFC reads like a survival story. Orphaned by 13 after losing both parents, he grew up in Bikita, Zimbabwe, smuggling diamonds to survive and enduring beatings from police during the country's economic collapse. He clawed his way from absolute poverty to professional fighting in Las Vegas.
But success brought unexpected pain. According to Gorimbo, no one in Zimbabwe, including his family, supported his dreams. Instead, he faced mockery and doubt. Even after making it to the UFC, relatives allegedly celebrated his losses, with one sending him a video of family members rejoicing over his defeat because he hadn't sent money.

Gorimbo's decision stems from what many Africans call "Black Tax" ,the cultural expectation that successful family members financially support extended relatives. He says demands reached $5,000 at a time, despite him not being a millionaire.
"I refuse to pay Black Tax," he declared, explaining that the constant financial pressure threatened his focus and career.
He's gone further, distancing himself from Zimbabwe entirely. He's blocked Zimbabweans on social media ,including President Emmerson Mnangagwa ,and says he no longer identifies with any single country: "I belong to the universe."
In a stark statement about his disconnection, Gorimbo said if he dies, he wants his ashes scattered in South Africa's Kruger National Park rather than buried in Zimbabwe.

The revelations have ignited fierce debate across Africa. Supporters applaud Gorimbo for setting boundaries and prioritizing his mental health and family (he's now married with children in the US). Critics accuse him of ingratitude and abandoning cultural obligations.
The controversy highlights a broader tension: the clash between individual ambition and communal expectations, between self-preservation and family loyalty.
Gorimbo trains at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas, continuing his UFC journey despite recent setbacks. His story raises uncomfortable questions about what success costs ,and whether those who never believed in your dreams deserve to benefit from them.