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Eddie Chikamhi
Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWEAN professional mixed martial artist in the UFC welterweight division Themba Gorimbo has received the backing of former WWE superstar and Hollywood actor Dwayne Johnson, popular known as ‘The Rock’.
Gorimbo, who made history by becoming the first Zimbabwean to win a fight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) when he defeated Takashi Sato last month, took the Rock in an emotional after he recently shared his financial struggles in the sport, which resonated well with the American actor’s life story.
Gorimbo disclosed on social media that he had a mere $7.49 in his bank account prior to his victorious performance at UFC Vegas 73.
The reason he was broke was that he runs a gym in South Africa that he allows people, especially amateur fighters and children to train for free.
As a result, the gym is not a stable source of income. Instead, he has to put in money from his own pocket to run it. Gorimbo also revealed plans to drill a borehole in Bikita, a project which he, yesterday, said was now complete.
Gorimbo’s US$7 bank balance revelation caught the attention of ‘The Rock’, who stepped forward to offer his support and assistance to the Zimbabwean MMA star.
Johnson described the situation as “crazy” adding that it brought 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.”
Gorimbo made history by becoming the first Zimbabwean to win a fight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) when he defeated Takashi Sato last month.
He was in top form with a dominant all-round display as he beat Japan’s Takashi Sato at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas with a unanimous 30-27, 30-27 and 30-27 decision.
The win atoned for the disappointing guillotine choke loss he suffered at the hands of USA’s AJ Fletcher in his UFC debut earlier this year.
Gorimbo said in his post-fight media statement: “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.”
With The Rock in his corner, could this turn out to be the career and life-changing moment for the Bikita-born athlete?
From being bankrupt to his fist win, which obviously came with some financial rewards, Gorimbo immediately made his intention public — to drill a community borehole in his rural Bikita that will supply clean water to the rural folk.
The fighter yesterday revealed the project was a success, with the assistance of the UAE Warriors (a professional mixed martial arts organization based in Abu Dhabi) and philanthropist John Rogoveanu.
“Since my title fight when I was in EFC, I used to auction my fight kit and raise funds to do something in my village and this is the biggest project that I have done so far,” said Gorimbo yesterday.
“After my last fight, I auctioned my kit and managed to raise money to build a bush pump in my village, and thank you UAE Warriors, thank you John (Rogoveanu). I really appreciate you for putting together this project and I love you.”
The 32-year-old reigning Zimbabwe Sportsperson of the Year announced after his last fight he wanted to raise US$3 200 to drill a community borehole and install a solar system as well as a 5 000-litre tank.
The items that Gorimbo put on auction included his fight pants as well as gloves.
Online Reporter