The Smashing Machine, directed by Benny Safdie and starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, depicts the life and career of MMA legend and two-time UFC Tournament winner Mark Kerr. The film follows Kerr’s rise in the late 1990s, highlighting his early victories, his personal struggles, and his relationship with ex-wife Dawn Staples. For the unversed, it draws inspiration from the 2002 HBO documentary The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr.
It captures Mark Kerr’s journey from the World Vale Tudo Championships in Brazil to the Pride Fighting Championships in Japan. Watching the film for the first time was an emotional experience for Kerr. He saw an unfinished cut alongside his brother and director Josh Safdie, and it brought him to tears. Later, when Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt joined the discussion, Kerr reflected on how deeply the film captured his life and career.
Scenes Mark Kerr Said Differed from Reality
In a recent interview with USA Today, Mark Kerr recalled his first Pride Fighting Championships loss to Ukrainian legend Igor Vovchanchyn as far more intense than how it was portrayed in the film. He admitted he was furious and under the influence of narcotics during the fight, and said his confrontation with Pride executive Nobuyuki Sakakibara was much more heated than the movie suggested.
“I was f—ing really pissed, and then it turned from pissed into this, ‘What the f— am I doing? My opiate use started picking up, and going into that fight, I wasn’t sober. I was on a lot of narcotics. I should have lost. The way that it was portrayed was accurate. This was just the first crack in my facade, and it was really heavy.”
Kerr also spoke about his early MMA fights, particularly against Fabio Gurgel, which he said were much more violent than portrayed. He explained that in the final fight of that tournament, he caused severe injuries to Gurgel’s orbital bone, which required a full reconstruction.
Despite the brutality, a lunch with Gurgel’s wife the next day left a lasting impression on Kerr and shaped how he carried himself in MMA, teaching him to separate what happened in the ring from life outside it.
He said that a domestic dispute with Dawn Staples was simplified for the film. In reality, she did not understand the risk of handling Kerr’s loaded handgun. Moreover, the silk robes she destroyed were replaced in the movie with a Japanese bowl for symbolic effect. Kerr reflected on the emotional intensity of that moment, noting that both he and Dawn were struggling emotionally at the time.
Mark Kerr’s Addiction, Career Turning Points, and Dwayne Johnson’s Portrayal
Kerr discussed his opioid addiction, explaining that the film depicted his overdose differently from reality. In truth, his therapist found him passed out on the floor, and a friend helped him realize he needed rehab. The movie instead conveyed the situation through phone conversations, showing how his struggles affected those around him.
He also spoke about his final Pride Grand Prix 2000 Finals fight against Kazuyuki Fujita. Kerr said the fight consisted of a single 15-minute round, which he endured despite extreme exhaustion, describing the mental and physical challenge he faced during those final minutes.
“I’m on the ground, and for whatever reason, the thought that came to my head was, ‘I signed up for this, this is my penance. They paid to come in and see me fight regardless if I won or lost, so there’s no reason for me to tap out.’”
Kerr praised Dwayne Johnson’s performance, noting that the actor effectively captured the physical and emotional intensity of his career. While some events were simplified, Kerr said the film conveyed the essence of his experiences, including the discipline, resilience, and struggles he faced both in and out of the ring.
In case you missed it: Dwayne Johnson Breaks Into Tears As ‘The Smashing Machine’ Premiere Earns 15-Minute Standing Ovation, Stirring Oscar Buzz
He also recalled how his early MMA victories, including the tournament in Brazil, shaped his approach to competition. The experience of dominating opponents while maintaining respect and professionalism influenced the way he conducted himself throughout his career. Kerr said that watching the movie allowed him to reflect on both his successes and the challenges he faced during that period.
