• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
The Rock surprises UFC fighter Themba Gorimbo with new house after first win

Home> Celebrity

Published 08:23 4 Aug 2023 GMT+1

The Rock surprises UFC fighter Themba Gorimbo with new house after first win

Dwayne Johnson was inspired after the homeless fighter used his money to help his village back in Africa

Jess Battison

Jess Battison

There’s often stories of celebrities who in their newly-found fame will be their mom a home, or perhaps a car for their dad or a first home for their own family.

But for some long-established celebrities, these acts of kindness using their mega money worth will continue and stretch out to others in need.

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson recently gave one heck of a surprise to UFC fighter Themba Gorimbo.

The 32-year-old recently won over Takashi Sato at UFC Vegas 73, and announced he planned to auction off his fight kit to help fund building a new water well in his native village back in Zimbabwe.

Advert

Gorimbo told MMA Fighting: “I was happier raising that money than I was after my win. When I got home where I come from and I help these people build this borehole and I helped these kids pay for their school supplies, I don’t have entitlement.

The Rock surprised Gorimbo during an interview.
X/@TheRock

“I don’t want to go back so I can say ‘I helped you guys.’ I don’t want to see that ever again, but that happiness can only help me. If I help, I feel so good, and when I feel so good, I’m dangerous [in MMA].”

Before this first win, he revealed he was down to just $7 in his bank account.

Advert

The fighter had been sleeping on a couch in the back of his gym.

Gorimbo’s story moved Johnson, who famously also pursued his own dreams after once only having $7 to his name himself. He later named his own production company Seven Bucks Productions in tribute to that low point in life.

So, The Rock paid a visit to Gorimbo where he surprised him in a clip shared to X.

He wrote: “We’ve never met but I had to fly to Miami to look this man @TheAnswerMMA in the eyes, hug him and shake his hand. I’ve been moved & motivated by his story.”

Advert

Johnson made Gorimbo’s situation known saying ‘I just want to help the guy out’.

And in the act of paying it forward, the star bought the once-homeless fighter a home in Miami.

Johnson drove Gorimbo to the new house, saying: “I wanted to look you in the eye and I wanted to tell you welcome home.”

The Rock bought Gorimbo a house in Miami.
X/@TheRock

Advert

The UFC fighter was very emotional as he looked around his new place, telling the kind actor he would use the gift as a way to continue giving back to his village.

Johnson wrote on X: “Welcome home @TheAnswerMMA. 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 too. Got your back brother. Let’s get to work on that dream of becoming ufc champion one day. Welcome home ~ DJ."

Gorimbo vowed to the star he would become champion, 'trust me'.

Featured Image Credit: Twitter/@therock

Topics: Dwayne Johnson, UFC, Celebrity

Jess Battison
Jess Battison

Jess is an Entertainment Journalist with a love of all things pop culture. Her main interests include keeping up with the Twitter girlies, waiting for a new series of The Traitors and losing her voice at a Beyoncé concert. She graduated with a first in Journalism from City, University of London in 2021 and has previously worked at MyLondon.

X

@jessbattison_

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
2 hours ago
5 hours ago
  • an hour ago

    Bruce Willis' daughter shares heartbreaking update on his condition amid dementia diagnosis

    Rumer Willis spoke about what she was thankful for in a heartfelt Father's Day post

    Celebrity
  • 2 hours ago

    Hugh Jackman reveals intense workout regime and fans are convinced it’s for one specific reason

    The Wolverine star shared a video in the gym as filming for the next Avengers film is underway

    Celebrity
  • 5 hours ago

    Artist Nezza says she’s 'banned' from singing at LA Dodgers stadium after performance of The Star-Spangled Banner

    Nezza was invited to perform the national anthem ahead of a baseball game over the weekend

    Celebrity
  • 5 hours ago

    Josh Duhamel, 52, gives insight into sex life with wife, 31, as he reveals surprisingly intimate detail

    The Transformers actor said taking testosterone has benefitted many aspects of his life.

    Celebrity
  • The Army lost recruits after The Rock signed $11 million promotional deal
  • The Rock will only appear on Hot Ones under one bizarre condition
  • Viewers stunned as Vin Diesel calls out The Rock in ‘awkward’ moment at the Golden Globes
  • The Rock publicly outed Emily Blunt for ghosting him and her reply was savage