MMA fighter Themba Gorimbo received a special gift from Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson Thursday — a new home.
According to Fox News, Johnson heard Gorimbo’s story in June and was so impressed that he determined to reward him for his dedication and hard work.
Johnson said, “Your story moved me. When I found out you had seven bucks in your bank account — I know what that’s like. I was here in Miami when I had seven bucks.”
“But then, you win your fight, and you sell your fight kit, you buy a water well for your village in Zimbabwe so your people can have clean water. Because you could have taken that money and put it down on a car, on an apartment,” he went on.
Johnson also noted, “You took care of your people, and that just says exactly who you are and that’s why I flew all the way in, man, just to look you in the eyes, brother, and tell you I got your back.”
Gorimbo was orphaned as a child and nearly died while working as a diamond miner for an illegal operation in Zimbabwe.
He moved to Miami in search of new opportunities, but the 32-year-old fighter was sleeping on the couch at his training gym and had just $7 to his name before winning against Takashi Sato in May.
The UFC reported on Gorimbo’s journey, noting that he began fighting in 2010 and went pro in 2013 but lost.
This year’s fight against Sato was considered “a do or die moment.”
After winning, Gorimbo auctioned his fight kit off in order to raise funds to build a bush pump in his homeland to provide his people with clean drinking water.
Now, he has been gifted a home by Johnson, who revealed this in a video post on X, formerly Twitter. He wrote, “Welcome home @TheAnswerMMA. You and your family enjoy your new house brother. Lights are on. Bills are paid.”
Welcome home @TheAnswerMMA
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) August 3, 2023
You and your family enjoy your new house brother.
Lights are on.
Bills are paid.
Keep your “My Reason” list close, keep taking care of your people and I’m honored to play a very, very small role in your $7 bucks journey.
$7 bucks.
I’ve been there… pic.twitter.com/rSyC7EiD5I
Gorimbo jumped up to hug Johnson and thank him. He also shared a post expressing his gratitude.
He said, “THANK YOU FOR CHANGING MY LIFE. Bless you bro. Appreciate you and grateful of everything.”
My life will never be the same again @therock .
— Themba T L Gorimbo (@TheAnswerMMA) August 6, 2023
THANK YOU FOR CHANGING MY LIFE.
Bless you bro .
Appreciate you and grateful of everything.
—-
Now let’s go back to work and achieve all the things set .#hardestworkerintheroom #zoa #projectrockunderarmour #teremanatequila
$7 pic.twitter.com/Ki2VBjVmUU
“Now let’s go back to work and achieve all the things set,” he added.
