Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson shocks homeless UFC fighter with new house

There’s not much The Rock can’t do.

But even considering Dwayne Johnson’s career as a wrestler, football player and actor, this might be his greatest act yet.

With a touching video released to his Twitter on Wednesday, Johnson announced he had bought couch-surfing UFC fighter Themba Gorimbo a new house in Miami, changing the fighter’s life.

Gorimbo, a 32-year-old welterweight fighter from Zimbabwe, has a remarkable story that struck a chord with Johnson.

The Zimbabwean fighter was an orphan as a 13-year-old, and he then turned to illegal diamond mining when he was 16 to make extra money before he started making waves on the UFC circuit.

Following a victory over Takashi Sato in May of this year, Gorimbo revealed he had just $7 in his bank account prior to the fight and had been relying on free meals from UFC.


Themba Gorimbo
Themba Gorimbo has an unbelievable story.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

After the win, Gorimbo used his $7,000 in earnings to build a water pump for his home village, selling off his fight kit for the same cause.

“This is f’n crazy to see and brings back many emotions and memories. $7.49 in this fighter’s bank account. I once had $7 bucks too. I’ve been there on that grind. Got your back, brother. I’ll help,” Johnson tweeted in response.


Themba Gorimbo and Takashi Sato
Gorimbo beat Takashi Sato in May.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Johnson kept his word.

On Wednesday, he surprised Gorimbo at the gym he had been training and sleeping at in Miami, taking him to a home that he said belonged to his friend.

Soon, Johnson revealed it was for Gorimbo.

“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 also, you win your second fight, then you sell your fight kit. You buy a water well for your village in Zimbabwe so your people can have clean water.


The Rock and Themba Gorimbo
Gorimbo was overwhelmed with emotion when Johnson revealed he had bought him a house.
@TheRock / Twitter

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson.
Johnson visited Gorimbo at his Miami gym before sur
REUTERS

You could have taken that money and you could have put it down on a car, on an apartment, but you didn’t. You took care of your people, and that says exactly who you are and that’s why I flew all the way in, just to look you in the eye and tell you I got your back.”

Gorimbo, overcome by emotion, then told Johnson, “Thank you so much man, thank you. You inspired me to work hard man, thank you. I will become a champion, trust me, believe me.”

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