HARARE – Just weeks after announcing his retirement from mixed martial arts, Zimbabwean UFC fighter Themba Gorimbo appears to be preparing for an unlikely return to the octagon.
By Advent Shoko
The 35-year-old has revealed that he is considering reversing his retirement decision and rebuilding himself for a move to the UFC middleweight division, a significant step up from the welterweight category where he has spent most of his professional career.
The development comes less than a month after Gorimbo shocked fans by declaring that his dream of becoming a UFC champion was over following a difficult run of three consecutive defeats.
Now, judging by his latest message, the Cinderella story he often speaks about may not be finished after all.
“I Cannot Give Up”
In an emotional social media post shared on Friday, Gorimbo suggested that retirement may have been premature and hinted at a fresh chapter in his fighting career.
“I am the Cinderella Man.
The man who get the second chance at life and run away with it.
Now I will build myself and nobody can hate on a man who build himself after being broken to pieces.
Decision been made.
I cannot give up.
I have people to inspire.
Kids to feed.
Championship goal to achieve.
I have God on my side.
I cannot fail.
I am a believer in second chances.”
The Zimbabwean fighter then reflected on key moments in his life where setbacks were followed by success, arguing that his greatest achievements have often come after disappointment.
He recalled being deported during his first attempt to move to South Africa before eventually succeeding on his second attempt. He also pointed to his EFC career, where he lost his first title fight before later capturing championship gold after moving up a weight division.
Middleweight Move on the Horizon
Perhaps the most significant part of Gorimbo’s statement was the suggestion that his next challenge could come in the middleweight division.
“The Cinderella story is about to take a new turn.
Middleweight Themba loading.
But first let me heal and let me be humbled by God.
Everything is God.”
The move would see Gorimbo compete at 185 pounds, 15 pounds heavier than the welterweight limit of 170 pounds where he has fought throughout his UFC career.
A transition to middleweight could potentially allow him to avoid the demanding weight cuts required at welterweight while also giving him an opportunity to reinvent himself against a fresh group of opponents.
From Retirement to Revival
The latest update represents a dramatic shift from the emotional retirement announcement Gorimbo made in May.
At the time, he admitted that he had accepted his dream of becoming UFC champion might never be realised.
“Thank you to UFC and everyone. I dared to be someone and something and failed.”
The announcement came after losses to Brazilian veteran Vicente Luque, American fighter Jeremiah Wells and Australian prospect Jonathan Micallef.
The defeat to Micallef appeared particularly painful for Gorimbo. Despite entering the contest confident and well-prepared, he later admitted he no longer felt physically superior to his opponent in the way he once had.
That realisation ultimately contributed to his decision to step away from the sport.
A Familiar Pattern
Long-time followers of Gorimbo’s career may not be entirely surprised by the latest development.
In his retirement statement, the Zimbabwean revealed that he had previously retired at the age of 27 before returning one year and eight months later. That comeback ultimately led to him becoming a champion.
Now he appears to be drawing inspiration from that experience once again.
For a fighter whose life story has been defined by overcoming adversity, setbacks have rarely marked the end of the road.
From growing up in poverty in Zimbabwe to reaching the world’s biggest MMA promotion, Gorimbo has built his reputation on resilience and persistence.
There is no indication yet of when Gorimbo might return to active fighting or whether the UFC would immediately offer him another opportunity.
But, if his latest message is anything to go by, the Zimbabwean fighter believes his story still has another chapter left to write, and this time it may be written at middleweight.
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