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In an emotional interview, a professional mixed martial artist has detailed his rise in the sport from humble beginnings as a diamond smuggler in Zimbabwe. | Source: CNN

MMA fighter reveals journey from diamond smuggler to athlete

Posted February 03, 2026 | By Jeweller Staff

In an emotional interview, a professional mixed martial artist has detailed his rise from poverty-stricken beginnings as a diamond smuggler in Zimbabwe to the highest level of the sport.

35-year-old Themba Gorimbo made his debut in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 2023, becoming the first Zimbabwean to win a UFC bout.

In a recent interview with CNN, Gorimbo provided insight into his upbringing in Zimbabwe's Marange fields. He lost his mother and father at a young age, relying on relatives to survive, and explained that economic hardship led him to the diamond trade.

"There was a big drought in Zimbabwe. That was probably the hardest year that I can remember where food was, you eat one meal a day. So, what was the next available thing? The diamonds," he said.

"God blessed us with the diamonds. It's 40 minutes away from my village - you can take a ride and go and smuggle these diamonds and sell them and make money, and at least you have food every day."

He continued: "I was in the diamond fields in Zimbabwe, smuggling diamonds, selling diamonds, getting beaten by police. You see, I've got dog marks all over my whole body. I've been bitten by dogs and almost died at the diamond fields.”

Shortly after turning 17, Gorimbo fled to South Africa, where a mixed martial arts film inspired him to pursue fighting, although training was expensive.

In 2010, he became an amateur MMA fighter and turned professional three years later. Gorimbo arrived in the United States in late 2022 with limited funds and slept on a couch in a gym in Miami.

"I worked as a security guard, and I used my money from there to pay for gym memberships and to try to pay coaches to train me privately as well," he said.

Gorimbo debuted in the UFC in February 2023, losing to AJ Fletcher, but won his second bout against Takashi Sato in May. To date, he has four wins and three losses in the UFC.