Themba "The Answer" Gorimbo

Although he has not won a championship or been hailed as one of the UFC's top contenders, Themba Gorimbo's story is among the most inspiring. His broken road to the UFC through relentless perseverance, despite many obstacles plaguing his life, should also inspire and warm the hearts of many.

His childhood in Zimbabwe had been directed in directions that were not flattering for him. Upon completion of his high school education, he involuntarily engaged in the collection of diamond ore illegally, which was a means for him to support his family. During this terrifying passage of life, Themba was brought close to death, literally now under the duress of the diamond-man police force. He was caught, beaten, and attacked by police dogs. As he tried to run away, he lost too much blood and collapsed. That was a shocking event; he was but a teen and it changed a lot for him, changing his view on aspects of life and quenching his thirst for a much brighter future.

"It was a blessing in disguise, it taught me a lot of lessons, firstly, never to be complacent in any situation and second appreciate the life we have, as it could be taken at any moment" - Themba Gorimbo on his near-death experience as a teen

As a miner for blood diamonds since the time he was 16, Themba Gorimbo was exposed to the very worst side of human nature. He saw the worst forms of cruelty when people would get into fights or kill each other over a find and metamorphosed to asking for some people to eat diamonds to hide them from others. But through all this darkness, Themba always had a kind heart. He rented a gym in Zimbabwe and even offered shelter to seven of his friends by letting them sleep there.

However, when the landlord got concerned about this development, a notice was served for them to vacate. Defying the gnawing resolution of losing his friends, he reluctantly refused to leave them in such dangerous conditions. He borrowed a substantial sum of money; and reportedly tried his hand at an apartment just to make sure that they had closed walls around them for safety. He was selfless yet kind

"I was paying for these guys' accommodation, paying for their food, and if I have extra money, I would buy clothes for them" - Themba Gorimbo on helping his friends

When Themba Gorimbo made his UFC debut, yet another hurdle presented itself with regard to appropriate training facilities. Unfortunately, he lost his first fight, earning less money and even getting deeper into debt. Even after making it to the UFC, he was still apparently struggling financially- all was harder before his second fight. He created a home in a gym in Miami since he did not have a place to rent. Themba disclosed on social media that he had only $7.49 in his bank account before this next fight.

More than anything else, Gorimbo strived to victory despite undergoing tough moments before the fight. In later interviews, he revealed that he had been ill during the buildup phase but didn't share that with his coaches; he needed to do what it took to win to secure money to pursue his dreams.

This is an unexpected decision after the fight: with his victory and the money he earns, Themba decides not to use the prize money to benefit himself but sell off his fight kits so as to organize a water well in the village in Zimbabwe where he comes from. It is in such basic acts that he continues showing loyalty to giving back to his community even as he tries to mend his own failures.

"I wanted to inspire people, showing them you can be down, but you have to keep believing in yourself " - Themba Gorimbo on having $7.49 in his bank account

The sharing of his struggle on social media was one of the best things that ever happened to him. Stop for that coincidence because it caught the kind attention of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, a worldwide star who faced the same challenges himself in the past. Dwayne, recognizing the man's hardship and attracted to his inkling, stepped in with great kindness, contacting him and not just encouraging him, but a gift that altered the man for a better new home, lessening the burden and getting him back on his feet. This boy's life changed from the generous gesture to showing Dwayne's kindness and why he has earned the love of so many again.

Most MMA fighters often face the stigma of being just rough-and-tumble, macho warriors. Despite the stereotype, however, Themba and many others exemplify that underneath the tough exterior; they're still very human with all the attendant sufferings and struggles. A very emotional moment with Themba occurred during the pre-fight press conference in connection with his fourth fight for the UFC. Just two hours prior, his coach's mother passed away after a long fight against cancer. Feeling overtaken with guilt, Themba broke down in front of the media, thinking about how his coach had sacrificed time and energy assisting him in training for the fight while he could have been with his mother in her dying hours.

It was a moment of extraordinary emotional exposure when Themba made a powerful promise to his coach: that he would put up a great performance in honor of the coach's mother. True to his word, Themba entered the octagon with newfound determination and turned that grief and sense of culpability into his performance. That night, his dedication and emotional burden became an unforgettable moment in his career, one that spoke of compassion, and respect, being on par, even in MMA, with all the strength and skills he possessed.

"I robbed him of the last moment of his mother, that's why I feel so guilty, that's why I cried the way I cried because his mother could have to say goodbye to him" - Themba Gorimbo on his coach's mother's death

Themba perseveres upward in the UFC division with an astonishing will to become a champion. Despite having recently lost a match, he clutches on to his hopefulness firmly for the promise he gave to himself and his coach. His tale is one of resoluteness, determination, and emotional strength to show that setbacks may fairly turn out to be just stepping stones to something brighter and better.