‘The Rock’ Has Themba Gorimbo’s Back

'The Rock' Can Relate to Gorimbo's Story

Gorimbo (11-4 MMA, 1-1 UFC) made his UFC debut in February, earlier this year, Gorimbo was defeated by A.J. Fletcher via. second-round Submission but went back to the drawing board and in his second UFC fight last month at UFC Fight Night 223: Dern vs. Hill; Gorimbo scored his first win under the bright lights of the UFC by defeating Takashi Sato via. Unanimous Decision.

Themba Gorimbo's story is incredible 👏 (h/t @TheAnswerMMA) pic.twitter.com/Ky1eJQG0gy

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 22, 2023

What really got people’s attention is what Gorimbo had to say following his first win in the UFC. Gorimbo said during his post-fight media scrum, “I’ve been broke, I came to America seven weeks ago without money. I only had enough money to fly, get to the airport to the gym, stayed at the gym, and a friend sent me $200. It’s been a rollercoaster, I didn’t have money. If you look at my bank account there’s seven dollars right now in my bank account, there’s seven dollars, I have to enjoy this. I don’t know how much I’m getting paid. All I’ve been focused on for this fight was to get the win. The win was the most important thing, the money is the byproduct of getting the win.”

Gorimbo is certainly no stranger to grinding through a struggling time. Gorimbo was having difficulty finding a place to train to prepare for his fight before landing at MMA Masters in Miami, Florida, and even had support from not only the gym but top-ranked UFC welterweight and teammate- Colby Covington as well, as Gorimbo told reporters Covington had given Gorimbo food while training and living at the gym. Gorimbo knows what it’s like to have to pick yourself up, Gorimbo told MMA Fighting in late 2021 that he was an orphan at the age of 13 and had become a blood diamond smuggler at the age of 16 before escaping Zimbabwe to South Africa. Truly inspirational stuff right there.

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.
You got this. I’ll be in touch @TheAnswerMMA #hardestworkersintheroom https://t.co/C2gn1j7OQF

— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) June 10, 2023

Hopefully, Gorimbo’s struggles are behind him after getting his first ‘W’ in the UFC. The support hasn’t ended for Gorimbo as now a certain Hollywood megastar and WWE legend- Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has lent a helping hand so it seems. ‘The Rock’ reacted to an ESPN MMA tweet on Gorimbo’s financial struggles, “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. You got this. I’ll be in touch” Johnson tweeted and tagged Gorimbo’s Twitter account. Gorimbo replied, “Bless you brother. God’s work.”

Bless you brother. God’s work ❤️💪❤️ https://t.co/4NGe48IAxz

— Themba T L Gorimbo (@TheAnswerMMA) June 10, 2023

I think it’s fair to highlight Gorimbo’s giving nature and highlight how pure-hearted of a human being he truly is before finishing this article. Gorimbo has auctioned off his fight kits and has raised money numerous times throughout his career to help his village and community, check out the tweets below.

Grateful pic.twitter.com/jglPPukngE

— Themba T L Gorimbo (@TheAnswerMMA) June 11, 2023

Grateful ❤️ pic.twitter.com/HQHbQyKNmp

— Themba T L Gorimbo (@TheAnswerMMA) June 11, 2023