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Despite Using $800 Million Fortune to Change MMA Fighter’s Life, Dwayne Johnson Reveals He Won’t Be Watching Him Fight First, in Favor of UFC Legend

Published 08/09/2023, 10:30 AM EDT

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Dwayne Johnson not only has a fat bank balance but also a big heart. He proved this when he used an enormous chunk of his $800 million fortune to provide a home for a talented but struggling MMA fighter, Themba Gorimbo.

The entire world hailed the legendary WWE icon for his humanitarian act and praised him on social media. ‘The Rock’s kind gesture overwhelmed the UFC legend Jon Jones, and the latter heaped praise on him online. That said, a recent comment from Johnson indicates he will attend Jones’s upcoming UFC bout but not Gorimbo’s. But why?

Dwayne Johnson reacts to Jon Jones’ appreciation tweet

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A few days ago, Jones went on his Twitter account to express his admiration for Johnson for buying Gorimbo a house. This kind gesture occurred after the WWE veteran found out about the MMA fighter’s financial condition. He mentioned that after seeing this act of kindness, he now has more respect for ‘The Great One’ in his eyes.

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Johnson replied to the comment and appreciated the kind words of the UFC legend. He expressed his happiness and satisfaction in getting to help those in need. Next, he praised Gorimbo. Next, he told Jones that he will be present at his upcoming fight, which is against Stipe Miocic scheduled at UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden in November.

As for now, the Zimbabwean MMA fighter has no official upcoming match confirmed yet. So it looks like Johnson will pay a visit to watch Jones fight first. Gorimbo had a hard time growing up as he was financially unstable, but his hard work and dedication have gotten him this far. He also displayed a wholesome gesture despite his financial difficulties which attracted Johnson’s notice.

Just like Johnson, Themba Gorimbo also has a big heart

Gorimbo was born in the Zimbabwean city of Masvingo. At a very young age, he lost his parents. As he was growing up, he had to work as an illegal diamond miner to make ends meet. When famine hit Africa in the 2000s, he fled the country.

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After drawing inspiration from the movie Never Back Down, he started to train in MMA and ultimately got signed by the UFC in 2023. He came to the US with just $7 dollars in his pocket. Despite being broke, he used his winning prize ($7000) against Takashi Sato at UFC Vegas 73 to build a water pump back home for underprivileged kids.

When ‘The People’s Champion’ heard about his journey, it moved him completely. Gorimbo didn’t own a house and slept in a gym. Therefore, Johnson took the matter into his own hands to provide a stable roof over Gorimbo’s head. He gifted him an all-expenses-paid house in Miami.

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Watch This Story – 50 Years of The Rock: Dwayne Johnson’s Greatest Achievements in WWE

It was an emotional moment for Gormibo, The Rock, and the entire world. What do you have to say about Johnson’s reply to Jon Jones? Share your thoughts in the comments below. We would love to hear from you.

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Written by:

Monika Thapa

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Monika Thapa is a WWE writer at EssentiallySports, who brings a unique blend of fluency in language and passion for the sport to her writing. Having been a fan of WWE since her childhood, Monika writes thought-provoking articles that offer readers deeper insights into the lives of their favorite superstars. She believes that WWE superstars present valuable life lessons that readers can learn from, as seen in her recent piece on Ronda Rousey's workout video.
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Edited by:

Amal Joyce