Featured Image Credit: Twitter/@therock
Topics: Dwayne Johnson, UFC, Celebrity
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.
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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.
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.
“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.
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.”
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 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'.