Themba Gorimbo, the first Zimbabwean to win a fight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, has revealed he wants nothing to do with his homeland, or even his own family.

Speaking to CNN Africa Voices, Gorimbo said he has blocked all relatives and expressed deep resentment over what he describes as their lack of support during his journey to the top.

“Nobody in Zimbabwe supported me, not even my family. I don’t talk to any of my family members anymore. I blocked all of them. If I could, I would change my surname. If I die, burn my body and throw my dust at Kruger National Park,” Gorimbo told CNN Africa Voices.

Born in Zimbabwe, Gorimbo rose through years of poverty, homelessness, and marginalisation in the fighting world to reach the UFC, achieving a historic milestone for the country.

Despite the global recognition, he insists the personal pain of neglect overshadows the public celebration.

“I had to fight for everything on my own,” he added, reflecting on the struggle that defined his career.

The revelations have sparked debate among fans, with some sympathising with Gorimbo’s experiences, while others argue that his achievement should inspire unity and pride for Zimbabwe.

For Gorimbo, however, the scars of his journey remain raw, and his focus remains firmly on his career in the octagon, leaving the past, and those who failed to support him, behind.

By Adama Makasuba