Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson comes to aid of UFC star with just £5.50 in the bank

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One of Hollywood’s biggest movie stars has offered his support to an emerging UFC competitor after he revealed that he only had £5.50 to his name. Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has acknowledged the financial plight of Themba Gorimbo because it resembles the former WWE star’s own humble beginnings.

Gorimbo, a 32-year-old welterweight fighter from Zimbabwe, recently earned his first win in UFC, with a unanimous decision over Takashi Sato last month.

But after the fight, he revealed that he barely had a dollar to his name heading into his second-ever appearance in the Octagon.

Gorimo told the UFC Vegas 73 post-fight media gathering: “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 then a friend sent me $200.

“It’s been a roller coaster. I didn’t have money, if you look at my bank account there’s $7 right now. In my bank account, there’s $7, and 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’s story was relayed by ESPN in a graphic on Twitter and it was here that it came to Jumaji star Johnson’s attention, which he instantly related to his own modest plight when he was first starting out in wrestling.

The WWE legend also only had £5.50 ($7) to his name at one point and was the inspiration behind the naming of his production company Seven Bucks Productions.

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On Saturday Johnson tweeted: “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.”

Having seen the Tweet and offer of help from one of the biggest stars in Hollywood, Gorimbo responded by writing: “Bless you brother. God’s work.”

Gorimbo’s UFC debut arrived on February 18, 2023, when he lost to AJ Fletcher via a Guillotine Choke, but it was a different story against Japan’s Sato on May 20.

Johnson’s wrestling career started in 1996 when veteran wrestler Pat Patterson managed to secure him several try-out matches for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). It wasn’t until 1998 that his ring name ‘The Rock’ was fully established.

After a successful career in the ring, during which he was crowned WWE champion on eight occasions, Johnson went on to forge a stellar movie career and is now one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood.

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