THE SMASHING MACHINE: Dwayne Johnson Honors Mark Kerr at UFC Hall of Fame Ceremony

Dwayne Johnson presents Mark Kerr with his UFC Hall of Fame trophy, as The Smashing Machine cast looks on. / Photo Credit: Zuffa, LLC

Thursday night at the UFC Hall of Fame ceremony, the lines between cinema and combat sport blurred in a way that only A24 could make feel this cinematic.

In front of a packed Las Vegas crowd, Mark Kerr, one of MMA’s most storied and tragic legends, was officially inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame’s Pioneer Era Wing. But what made the moment hit harder than a head kick? Kerr’s trophy was presented by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who plays the former champ in the upcoming biopic The Smashing Machine, directed by Benny Safdie.

Also in attendance was Emily Blunt, who portrays Dawn Staples-Kerr, Mark’s first wife. The moment wasn’t just a celebration of Kerr’s legacy—it was a preview of a film that promises to dive deeper into the man behind the violence. The crowd erupted as The Rock handed over the honor, offering a tribute not just to Kerr’s fighting career, but to the pain, addiction, glory, and grit that defined his journey. From collegiate wrestling dominance to back-to-back UFC tournament wins in 1997, and his ferocious run in PRIDE, Mark Kerr didn’t just smash opponents—he smashed through an era.

Photo Credit: Zuffa, LLC

The Smashing Machine has already generated serious buzz, and Thursday’s spotlight further solidified its crossover appeal. Safdie’s direction, A24’s backing, and Johnson’s physical and emotional transformation mark this as one of the most anticipated films of 2025. But more than that, this is a story about trauma, control, and the weight of expectation—one that mirrors Kerr’s real-life descent into painkiller addiction, emotional collapse, and redemption.

While Kerr’s induction may have been the emotional apex of the night, the full Hall of Fame class was stacked with legends. UFC honored:

• Amanda Nunes – former two-division GOAT

• Israel Adesanya – former middleweight king and style icon

• Robbie Lawler – the blood-and-guts warrior

• Kelvin Gastelum – interim title challenger

• Craig Piligian – Emmy-winning producer of The Ultimate Fighter

• Vitor Belfort – UFC 12 tourney winner and ‘90s icon

The weekend wraps with UFC 317, headlined by Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira, but Thursday night was about memory—honoring the fighters who paved the blood-soaked canvas for today’s kings and queens of the Octagon.

Expect The Smashing Machine to be more than a sports movie. It’s a window into a legacy shaped by violence and vulnerability—one where Dwayne Johnson leaves behind the superhero cape and steps into something far more human.

THE SMASHING MACHINE will release in theaters nationwide October 3, 2025.

Written and Directed by: Benny Safdie

Produced by: Benny Safdie, Dwayne Johnson, Eli Bush, Hiram Garcia, Dany Garcia, David Koplan

Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Ryan Bader, Bas Rutten, Oleksandr Usyk

Running Time: 123 minutes

Rating: R