The Smashing Machine: Mark Kerr's Life Story

The Smashing Machine unveils the compelling journey of Mark Kerr, highlighting his UFC achievements and battles with addiction.

Mark Kerr’s MMA and Wrestling Career

Two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion
Winner of the World Vale Tudo Championship tournament
Competitor in PRIDE FC during his MMA career
Freestyle wrestling accolades include gold and silver medals at the World Cup and a silver medal at the Pan American Games
Four-time ADCC World Champion in submission wrestling

Personal Struggles

Despite his success, Kerr faced a painful battle with painkiller addiction during his boxing career.

The 2022 Documentary and Film Adaptation

The 2022 documentary The Smashing Machine deeply explores Kerr’s life story. The film adaptation, produced by A24 and carrying the same title, stars Dwayne Johnson as Mark Kerr. Benny Safdie wrote and directed this project, with Emily Blunt portraying Kerr’s former wife, Dawn Staples.

"The story follows the legendary mixed martial arts (MMA) and UFC fighter Mark Kerr during his peak era, intertwining his struggles with addiction, victories, and personal relationships."

Cast and Crew

Dwayne Johnson
Emily Blunt
Ryan Bader
Bas Rutten
Oleksandr Usyk
Written and directed by Benny Safdie

Availability

The Smashing Machine is now available for home viewing. It can also be pre-ordered on Blu-ray and 4K UHD.

"The film is the unforgettable true story of a UFC legend."

Summary: Mark Kerr’s life blends extraordinary athletic triumphs with profound personal struggles, vividly captured in both documentary and feature film formats.

Future of the Force — 2025-11-04