The Smashing Machine: Mark Kerr's Life Story
The Smashing Machine tells the compelling story of Mark Kerr, highlighting his UFC victories and battles with addiction. Kerr is a renowned figure in the intense world of UFC, known for his achievements across multiple combat sports.
Mark Kerr's Career Highlights
- Two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion
- World Vale Tudo Championship tournament winner
- Competitor in PRIDE FC during his MMA career
- In freestyle wrestling, he earned gold and silver medals at the World Cup and silver at the Pan American Games
- Four-time ADCC World Champion in submission wrestling
Struggles and Documentary
Despite his success, Kerr faced a painful battle with painkiller addiction during his boxing career. The 2022 documentary The Smashing Machine explores his life and challenges in depth.
Film Adaptation
A24 adapted the documentary’s title for a movie about Kerr’s life. Dwayne Johnson stars as Kerr, with Benny Safdie writing and directing. Emily Blunt plays Kerr’s former wife, Dawn Staples.
- Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Ryan Bader, Bas Rutten, Oleksandr Usyk
- Written and Directed by Benny Safdie
The film is now available for home viewing and can be pre-ordered on Blu-ray and 4K UHD.
"This story follows the legendary mixed martial arts (MMA) and UFC fighter Mark Kerr during his peak era, highlighting his struggles with addiction, victories, and complex personal relationships."
Author's summary: Mark Kerr’s life story reveals both the glory and hardship behind a UFC legend, exploring his rise to fame and battle with addiction in and out of the ring.