Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, the renowned Hollywood megastar, recently reached out to Zimbabwe-born and South Africa-based Themba Gorimbo, one of the UFC's emerging talents. Gorimbo achieved his first victory in Las Vegas, Nevada inside the octagon with a unanimous decision over Takashi Sato in May. Johnson, drawing parallels to his own past, expressed solidarity with Gorimbo, who revealed his financial struggles following the win.
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| Themba Gorimbo Image Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images |
Overcoming Financial Hardships in Pursuit of Success
In an interview during his UFC Vegas 73 post-fight media scrum, Themba Gorimbo openly shared his challenging journey. He disclosed his financial difficulties, confessing that he arrived in America just seven weeks prior without any money. With limited funds, he could barely afford his flight and transportation to the gym. To his relief, a friend generously sent him $200, which allowed him to survive during those trying times.
Reflecting on his situation, Gorimbo admitted that his financial status had hit rock bottom. Presently, his bank account contained a mere $7. Despite this predicament, he remained grateful for his triumph and emphasized that his primary focus had been securing the victory. He regarded money as a byproduct of his dedication and hard work.
The Rock's Empathy and Support
When ESPN shared a graphic on Twitter summarizing Gorimbo's story, Dwayne Johnson couldn't help but connect with the fighter's struggles. Drawing from his well-known origin story, which involved having only $7 to his name before skyrocketing to fame as a WWE legend and A-list movie star, Johnson expressed his empathy and offered his assistance. The figure "7" held great significance in Johnson's life, inspiring the name of his production company, Seven Bucks Productions.
Johnson took to Twitter to convey his sentiments, stating, "This is incredible to see and it brings back a flood of emotions and memories. $7.49 in this fighter's bank account. I've been there too, grinding away. I've got your back, brother. I'm here to help. You've got this." He concluded the tweet by assuring Gorimbo that they would stay in contact.
This is f’n crazy to see and brings back many emotions and memories.
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) June 10, 2023
$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.
You got this. I’ll be in touch @TheAnswerMMA #hardestworkersintheroom https://t.co/C2gn1j7OQF
Gorimbo's Gratitude and Faith
Upon seeing Johnson's tweet, Gorimbo expressed his gratitude for the actor's support. "Bless you, brother," Gorimbo replied. "God's work." The heartfelt response showcased Gorimbo's appreciation for the encouragement he received during this challenging phase of his career.
Bless you brother. God’s work ❤️💪❤️ https://t.co/4NGe48IAxz
— Themba T L Gorimbo (@TheAnswerMMA) June 10, 2023
In the world of mixed martial arts, the unwavering support from established figures like Dwayne Johnson can uplift aspiring athletes like Themba Gorimbo. As the story unfolds, Gorimbo will undoubtedly find solace and motivation knowing that he is not alone in his journey towards success.
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