The Smashing Machine: Mark Kerr's Life Story
The Smashing Machine presents the compelling journey of Mark Kerr, highlighting both his victories in the UFC and his battles with addiction.
Mark Kerr's Achievements
- Two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion
- World Vale Tudo Championship tournament winner
- Competitor in PRIDE FC
- In freestyle wrestling, won gold and silver at the World Cup and silver at the Pan American Games
- Four-time ADCC World Champion in submission wrestling
Struggles and Documentary
Despite his athletic success, Kerr experienced a difficult struggle with painkiller addiction during his boxing career. His life and challenges are explored in the 2022 documentary The Smashing Machine.
Film Adaptation
The film titled The Smashing Machine takes its name from the documentary. It stars Dwayne Johnson as Mark Kerr, with Emily Blunt playing Kerr’s former wife, Dawn Staples. Benny Safdie wrote and directed the movie.
"This story follows the legendary mixed martial arts (MMA) and UFC fighter Mark Kerr. During his peak era in the UFC, MMA fighter Mark Kerr struggled with addiction, winning, and love. It is the unforgettable true story of a UFC legend."
Cast and Crew
- Dwayne Johnson
- Emily Blunt
- Ryan Bader
- Bas Rutten
- Oleksandr Usyk
- Written and directed by Benny Safdie
Availability
The film is now available for home viewing. You can also pre-order it on Blu-ray and 4K UHD formats.
Author's summary: Mark Kerr's story is a powerful mix of MMA triumphs and personal struggles, now captured in both a documentary and a feature film starring Dwayne Johnson.