‘God Is The Greatest’: Dwayne Johnson Buys Struggling UFC Fighter A Home
By Movieguide® Contributor
Actor Dwayne Johnson recently helped UFC fighter Themba Gorimbo purchase a house for his family.
“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,” Johnson said in a video of him meeting Gorimbo. “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 continued, “But you didn’t. 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.”
Johnson then revealed that he had purchased a house for Gorimbo and his family.
“Oh my god, thank you!” Gorimbo said. He had been sleeping on a couch in the gym where he worked out as he saved money to buy a house for his family, who are living in his home country of Zimbabwe.
“Now there’s no more couch sleeping. This is your house,” Johnson told Gorimbo. “Welcome home.”
He continued, “This place is yours. You don’t have to think about anything. The only thing you think about is your family, getting them over here, getting them with you, your training and becoming champion.”
The actor will lease the house and pay all expenses for as long as Gorimbo and his family want to live there.
Gorimbo shared that the money he had been saving for a house will now go towards building a well in Zimbabwe.
“You inspired me to work hard,” Gorimbo told Johnson. “I will become a champion, trust me.”
He later tweeted about the gift, writing, “God is the Greatest. I am very grateful of @therock for what he did for me and my family. This was the best day of my life. This was a life changing day. My life has been changed and I will use this as motivation to change others lives too. I am very very grateful to everyone.”
Johnson and Gorimbo first connected when “The Rock” heard a story about the up-and-coming UFC fighter having just $7.49 in his bank account. The fighter had sent most of his fight earnings home to his family and their village.
Johnson, who also struggled financially, was touched by Gorimbo’s story. He also famously had just $7 at one point in his career, which is where his production company, Seven Bucks Production, got its name.
“This is…crazy to see and brings back many emotions and memories,” Johnson tweeted after seeing Gorimbo’s story. “$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.”
Movieguide® previously reported on Johnson’s generosity:
Actor Dwayne Johnson shocked a community when he showed up at The Dream Center in Los Angeles to offer encouragement, love and kindness to men and women in need.
Matthew Barnett, a pastor and the founder of the ministry, was in his office when a staff member told him that Lauren Hashian—Johnson’s wife—was dropping by with a donation. He went to meet her and help bring her donation in when he noticed Johnson in the car…
One of the individuals the star interacted with was the expectant mother, whom his donations provided with a crib, stuffed animals and other items for her soon-to-come baby.
“[Johnson was] talking to this mother…for 10 minutes, asking what she’s going through,” Barnett explained. “She was in foster care most of her life…it meant so much for her.”
Barnett shared the experience on Instagram, noting how willing Johnson was to engage and care for those less fortunate.
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