Story by Farai Gwaze
MIXED Martial Arts is slowly gaining popularity in Zimbabwe with youths expressing keen interest in the combat sport which has seen the pair of Themba Gorimbo and Lewis Mataya making it big on the international stage.
Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a combat sport that incorporates various disciplines, including boxing, wrestling, judo, jujitsu, karate and Muay Thai.
Besides popular MMA Zimbabwean fighter Themba Gorimbo who has scaled dizzy heights in the United States, there is one other Zimbabwean who has made it to the top.
His name is Lewis “Porcupine” Mataya, who rose to fame when he conquered Africa in 2022.
The 24-year-old Mataya’s rise to stardom has become an inspiration to other young Zimbabweans who are now learning the ropes under his guidance.
“From when I was young, I wasn’t good at sports. Now that I’ve started MMA things can get better,” he said.
Mataya’s story did not end in 2022, he has done it again, this time in Namibia.
The Mixed Martial Arts Champion is, however, determined to ensure that the success story does not start and end with him.
He has a long-term plan.
“It is only a few days since the Africa championships in Namibia and we are back in the gym, working hard, there is no limit in what I imagine us achieving. As you know, Themba Gorimbo is now a big name in the UFC worldwide and that can only happen in mixed martial arts. For us as Zimbabweans to have that here, it really is a blessing. Last year I had an idea to train 10 young guys that will compete at the African championships and that will go on to be mixed martial arts coaches. I plan to open gyms in different cities, different parts of Harare and spread the sport,” he added.
The Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture recognises Mixed Martial Arts as a sporting code through the Zimbabwe Mixed Martial Arts Association and that should be a good starting point.
