UFC Fighter Themba Gorimbo Reveals He Was Deported From SA and Returned Within 24 Hours
- Zimbabwean UFC fighter Themba Gorimbo recalled being deported from South Africa during an appearance on the One54 Podcast
- Gorimbo said he was back in South Africa the very next day after being deported, sparking debate among social media users
- The revelations left South Africans divided over how his return was possible so quickly
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Zimbabwean UFC fighter Themba Gorimbo has reignited debate about immigration and deportation in South Africa after revealing he was removed from the country and crossed back in within a single day.
Source: Getty Images
Gorimbo disclosed during an interview on the One54 Podcast, where he spoke at length about his childhood in Zimbabwe, his immigration experiences and the path that led him to professional mixed martial arts.
Gorimbo's journey From Zimbabwe to Mzansi
The fighter left Zimbabwe as a teenager after discovering a 12-carat diamond in the country's diamond fields, hoping to find work and a better life in South Africa. His arrival was not without serious complications.
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Gorimbo was arrested and deported, but the setback proved short-lived.
"I got deported once, and the next day I was back in South Africa doing my thing," he told BBC Sport in 2024, in an account consistent with what he shared on the podcast.
His troubles did not end there. He also recalled being held hostage for two weeks by the man who facilitated his return, after his cousins refused to pay the money being demanded of them. Despite those harrowing experiences, South Africa ultimately became the place where Gorimbo discovered MMA. He trained at gyms in Cape Town and went on to pursue a professional fighting career.
Watch a part of the interview in the post on X below.
South Africans react to deportation claim
A social media post about Gorimbo's story drew more than 128,000 views, with the speed of his return prompting the most discussion. One user argued the account was a reminder that deported migrants could re-enter South Africa, and alleged that corrupt police officers were facilitating such returns. Another commenter questioned his accent, writing:
"Fake accent iyi ma one."
The conversation also turned to how Gorimbo eventually made his way to the United States, with one commenter asking: "How did he get to the USA?" In response, the original poster alleged he had used a fake South African passport or purchased a South African ID. Those claims are unverified social media allegations and are not supported by Gorimbo's own account or available reporting on his story.
Gorimbo's rise from a difficult upbringing in Zimbabwe, through his time as an undocumented immigrant in South Africa, to the UFC stands as one of the more remarkable stories in African combat sports. The One54 Podcast episode also covers his views on xenophobia and the broader reasons many Zimbabweans leave home in search of opportunities.
Themba Gorimbo retires from UFC
Briefly News previously reported that Themba Gorimbo has confirmed he is retiring from MMA after admitting he no longer believes he can achieve his dream of becoming a UFC champion
The Zimbabwean-born UFC fighter thanked fans, coaches and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as he reflected on his emotional journey through combat sports
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Source: Briefly News
