UFC"The Answer"Themba Gorimbo Record: 14-7-0
WelterweightRecord14-7-0
Age35
DivisionWelterweight · #145
Combat Edge Elo1608
Last fightMay 2 2026
Themba Gorimbo has a 14-7-0 professional record and is 35 years old in the Welterweight division, representing MMA Masters. This profile tracks fight history, UFC stats, ELO rating, record, age, and opponent links.
Last updated Jun 19, 2026 · Combat Edge fight database
Themba Gorimbo bio
Personal background
Themba "The Answer" Gorimbo is a Zimbabwean welterweight competing in the UFC, born on January 23, 1991, in the Masvingo region of Zimbabwe. His path to the sport is one of the most remarkable in the promotion: orphaned as a teenager, he worked in the dangerous diamond fields of Marange to survive, later crossed into South Africa where he was at times homeless and earned a few dollars a day as a gardener, before martial arts gave him a way out. Standing 6'1" with a 77-inch reach, he fights out of MMA Masters in Florida and built his name on a sharp submission game forged in Africa's regional scene. His story drew global attention when, after revealing he had only a few dollars left in his bank account, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson gifted him a furnished home – a moment that turned Gorimbo into one of the sport's most inspiring figures.
Path to the UFC
Gorimbo turned professional in 2013 and made his name in Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) Africa, where his submission skills carried him to early success and continental recognition. He weathered setbacks on the regional circuit – including losses that tested his resolve – before campaigns in UAE Warriors and Fury FC set up his UFC opportunity. By the time he signed, he was a battle-tested veteran with a finisher's instinct and a backstory unlike anyone else on the roster.
UFC career
Gorimbo's UFC arrival in 2023 was a baptism by fire: he dropped his debut to AJ Fletcher by second-round guillotine. He answered with the breakthrough win that changed his life, outpointing Takashi Sato by unanimous decision in May 2023. From there he put together the best run of his career: a first-round TKO of Pete Rodriguez in February 2024, a unanimous-decision win over Ramiz Brahimaj that May, and a decision victory over veteran Niko Price in October 2024 that pushed him toward the rankings conversation.
Recent setbacks
The step up in competition proved unforgiving. In December 2024, Gorimbo was submitted by an anaconda choke in the first round against former title challenger Vicente Luque. He then dropped a unanimous decision to Jeremiah Wells in November 2025 and a split decision to Jonathan Micallef in May 2026, leaving him at 14-7 and looking to rediscover the form that defined his winning stretch.
Fighting style
Gorimbo is a submission-oriented welterweight with long frame and a high finish rate – six of his 14 wins have come by submission, contributing to a 57 percent finish rate. His best work comes when he can impose his grappling, chaining together chokes and joint attacks, and he has shown enough power to score TKOs when his striking lands clean. His vulnerabilities have shown up against elite grapplers and pressure fighters, where he has been caught in submissions, but his durability and relentlessness have made him a tough, dangerous out throughout his career.
Career highlights
- From homelessness to the UFC — overcame an extraordinary backstory to reach the sport's biggest promotion, becoming Zimbabwe's most prominent mixed martial artist.
- Four-fight UFC win streak — beat Takashi Sato, Pete Rodriguez, Ramiz Brahimaj and Niko Price to establish himself as a legitimate welterweight talent.
- Submission specialist — six career submission wins and a 57 percent finish rate make him a constant threat on the mat.
Career snapshot
Themba Gorimbo career snapshot
EloCombat Edge Elo
1608Solid ratingElo trajectory (last 3 years)
Overall#1264
Welterweight#145of 200 active
Peak1649
Last move-11
Opponent quality1631avg. pre-fight Elo · last 10
Career-high 1649 Elo after defeating Niko Price (2024-10-12)
Similar Elo in Welterweight
Themba Gorimbo quick answers
What is Themba Gorimbo's record?
Themba Gorimbo's professional MMA record is 14-7-0.
How old is Themba Gorimbo?
Themba Gorimbo is 35 years old.
What weight class is Themba Gorimbo?
Themba Gorimbo fights at Welterweight in UFC.
How tall is Themba Gorimbo?
Themba Gorimbo is 6'1" tall with a 77" reach.
How much does Themba Gorimbo weigh?
Themba Gorimbo competes at Welterweight, with a most recent weigh-in of 170 lbs.
What is Themba Gorimbo's Combat Edge Elo?
Themba Gorimbo's Combat Edge Elo is 1608, with a peak Elo of 1649.
How strong is Themba Gorimbo's recent opposition?
Themba Gorimbo's latest 10 counted opponents averaged 1631 Elo immediately before their fights. This avoids using opponents' later career results with hindsight.
When was Themba Gorimbo's last fight?
Themba Gorimbo's latest tracked pro fight was against Jonathan Micallef at UFC Fight Night on May 2 2026.
What is Themba Gorimbo's recent form?
Themba Gorimbo's recent tracked pro form is L-L-L-W-W over the latest 5 decisive pro results.
How does Themba Gorimbo usually win?
Themba Gorimbo's 14 recorded wins include 2 knockouts, 6 submissions, and 6 decisions, with 57% ending before the final bell.
2Wins by knockout
6Wins by submission
6Wins by decision
1Loss by knockout
3Loss by submission
3Loss by decision
Themba Gorimbo stats
Record : 14 / 7 / 0Significant strikes landed per minute
2.72Fighter2.98Division average
Significant striking accuracy
61%Fighter44%Division average
Significant strikes absorbed per minute
1.32Fighter3.83Division average
Significant strike defenseThe % of opponents strikes that did not land
52%Fighter52%Division average
Average takedowns landed per 15 minutes
5.07Fighter1.38Division average
Takedown accuracy
66%Fighter37%Division average
Takedown defenseThe % of opponents TD attempts that did not land
73%Fighter51%Division average
Average submissions attempted per 15 minutes
0.44Fighter0.63Division average
Pro fight history
ResultOpponentMethodTimeRoundEventDateFight details
Amateur fight history
ResultOpponentMethodTimeRoundEventDateFight details
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