Themba Gorimbo’s Painful Truth: Fighting Through a Broken Ankle
It’s not every day that a UFC fighter admits to stepping inside the Octagon while severely injured—but that’s exactly what Themba Gorimbo has revealed about one of the toughest moments of his career. The Zimbabwean welterweight opened up about his last fight against Vicente Luque, sharing that he entered that bout with a broken ankle. Yes, you heard that right—he fought through a serious injury that happened just a week before the fight.
According to Gorimbo, the injury took place on November 11, only six days before he faced Luque on November 17. Despite doctors warning him not to fight, Gorimbo decided to go ahead anyway. “I broke my ankle a week before I took that fight,” he said. “I went against the doctors. I’m hard-headed and rebellious sometimes.” That determination, though admirable, ended up costing him dearly.
Also Read:- Jalen Green’s Tattoo Tribute to Draya Michele Sparks Heated Debate
- Chaos in Game 7 as Benches Clear After Giménez Hit by Pitch
Gorimbo later admitted that when he walked into the T-Mobile Arena that night, he already knew deep down that he wasn’t ready. After the loss, the emotional weight of that decision hit him hard. “On the day of the fight after I lost, I cried like no other,” he recalled. “I was regretting the decision of taking that fight.” He confessed that he hadn’t been able to train properly—no wrestling, no sparring, nothing that would prepare him for a high-level opponent like Luque.
Doctors had made their position clear: fighting on a broken ankle was dangerous. “They told me, ‘You cannot fight with it, but it’s up to you. You’re the fighter,’” Gorimbo said. But being the kind of athlete who refuses to back down, he took the risk—and learned a harsh lesson the hard way.
The aftermath wasn’t easy. Gorimbo sank into a period of depression and poor decision-making, even taking a trip to Russia where, unfortunately, another injury awaited him. He broke a rib the day before receiving a new UFC fight offer, forcing him to delay his comeback once again.
Now, almost a year later, Gorimbo is determined to rewrite his story. He’s gearing up for a new challenge against Jeremiah Wells, a fighter he deeply respects. “He’s a good fighter,” Gorimbo said. “I won’t underestimate him. I give him his props.”
This upcoming bout isn’t just another fight—it’s a personal redemption arc. Gorimbo has endured pain, setbacks, and self-doubt, but his resilience shines through. “By the grace of God, I’m here,” he concluded, ready to step back into the Octagon and prove to himself—and to the world—that true strength comes not from avoiding hardship, but from rising after it.
Read More:
0 Comments