EFFORTS to popularise Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in Zimbabwe gathered momentum with American professional Carla Esparza jetting into the country today to start negotiations with the government, private sector and other stakeholders on how to grow the sport.
EFC welterweight world champion Themba Gorimbo flew into the country from his base in South Africa to join hands with Esparza on a mission to spread MMA in Zimbabwe.
As the biblical saying goes, a prophet is without honour in his home town. Despite Gorimbo’s extraordinary exploits and achievements in EFC, he is yet to recognise what he deserves.
However, this is all set to change with the arrival of Esparza, who is not only looking at growing MMA but wants to inspire a new generation of girls to take up the sport.
The American Esparza comes to Harare with the reputation of being the first UFC Strawweight Champion, the first Invicta FC Strawweight Champion, and was generally considered the best Strawweight fighter in the world while holding each title.
Esparza, known in the UFC circles as the “Cookie Monster”, has been making headlines with her jaw-dropping five-fight winning streak.
Chinese Yan Xiaonan is “Cookie Monster’s” latest victim. She decimated her a week ago, making her the top contender in her division.
Esparza is delighted to be in Zimbabwe and helps to inspire women to take up MMA as a career of choice.
“I see the sport grow across the world, and I definitely want to help grow it here in Zimbabwe and all of Africa, especially for women,” Esparza said.
“It’s great to see a lot of female involvement growing in the UFC and the world, and I would like to help in any way I can stay here in Zimbabwe. I’m very excited to come here to help the sport grow. I started this sport over eleven years ago when it was very new, and it has been very amazing to see it grow in the United States.”
Everyone hopes the coming on board of Esparza will be the catalyst for growth that the sport just needed.
Zimbabwe boasts of having two-time EFC champion in Chigorimbo and bantamweight division champion Sylvester Chipfumbu, but this has not translated into the growth of MMA in the country.
