01 August 2023 , 13:59
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Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson made a surprise visit to UFC fighter Themba Gorimbo at his gym in South Florida.
The encounter was sparked by the striking similarities in their professional journeys. Gorimbo, who hails from Zimbabwe and now resides in the United States, recently made his UFC debut and secured his first win in the Octagon.
Before his victory, he had only £5.50 ($7) in his bank account, reminiscent of Johnson's own experience when he was cut from the Canadian Football League's Calgary Stampeders and had the same amount of money to his name. Upon learning about Gorimbo's story, Johnson felt compelled to meet him in person.
The former wrestling star tweeted: "We have never met, but I had to fly to Miami to look this man [Gorimbo] in the eyes, hug him, and shake his hand. I have been moved and motivated by his story. He recently won his first fight in the [UFC]. He had $7 in his bank account when he won. He sleeps on a couch in the gym."
Gorimbo's determination and resilience were evident not only in his UFC journey but also in his actions after the fight. Instead of using the money he earned from selling his fight gear to secure a place to live, he decided to build a bush pump to provide clean water for his village in Zimbabwe, reports the Express US.
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During their meeting, Johnson expressed admiration for Gorimbo's character and spirit. Despite facing challenges, Gorimbo never asked for assistance but instead sought ways to contribute positively, even if it meant giving just $7.
Johnson's passion for the UFC is well-known, as he has made several appearances with the promotion in the past including presenting the original "BMF" title to Jorge Masvidal after a welterweight main event. In August 2022, the UFC announced a partnership with Johnson through his "Project Rock" sneaker line in collaboration with Under Armour.
Dwayne Johnson had little more than £5 when he was cut - the same as the UFC hopeful (Getty Images)The heartwarming encounter between The Rock and Gorimbo garnered attention on social media, with celebrities and influencers expressing their emotions and admiration for both individuals. IMPACT wrestling Knockouts champion Trinity Fatu wrote: "Whew, this got me," while hip-hop legend Flavor Flav praised Johnson's impactful work.
Belal Muhammad, a highly ranked welterweight contender, described the meeting as "amazing." Gorimbo, a prominent figure in South Africa's MMA community, has been pursuing his dream since 2010, inspired by the movie "Never Back Down."
He turned professional in 2013 and says that his drive comes from setting goals and taking risks. He also boldly declared his goal of becoming a UFC champion by the end of 2024, saying: "I will become a champion in 2024. That's my goal. And yeah, I just put it out there. I will become a champion in the UFC by the end of 2024. I know this."
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