“Worth Every Muscle Tear”: Dwayne Johnson Gets Emotional as UFC Legends & Fans Come Together to Promote Mark Kerr Biopic, ‘The Smashing Machine’

In a moment steeped in grit and nostalgia, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson poured his heart out as the trailer for the upcoming ‘The Smashing Machine’ hit the internet recently. Based on the life of MMA pioneer Mark Kerr, the film is directed by and written by Benny Safdie and will be released by A24 on October 3, 2025.

Kerr, the man who is being portrayed by Johnson, was once an unstoppable juggernaut. A Division I wrestling champion. A two-time UFC tournament winner who demonstrated how effective a suffocating wrestling game could be if head-butts were allowed in the sport. But with glory came ghosts that cast a shadow of addiction over Kerr’s legendary career.

Mark Coleman, the UFC legend who was also Kerr’s training partner and friend, shared a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the upcoming biopic on Instagram, writing, “Sure is a beautiful day. Life is great. The filming of the “Smashing Machine” With the King of action movies @therock! Go check out the trailer. @thesmashingmachinemovie  What a pleasure very kind, humble man, the aura around him is something special. He’s truly a giant in so many ways. Set your goal high people, there’s nothing you can’t achieve if you put your mind to it, dream big and then go for it.”

For Dwayne Johnson, his transformation into Mark Kerr to portray the MMA legend on-screen has garnered much praise. In a previous interview with Variety, Johnson had revealed, “I’m at a point in my career where I want to push myself in ways that I’ve not pushed myself in the past. I’m at a point in my career where I want to make films that matter, that explore a humanity and explore struggle [and] pain.”

Mark Kerr’s story was originally chronicled in the 2002 documentary, ‘The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr’. The film paints a stark picture of the early days of MMA, where rules were basically non-existent, and highlights the struggles of Kerr and how he overcame addiction.  And now, two decades later, Kerr’s story returns. This time, on the silver screen with ‘The Rock’ leading the charge, and here’s a look at how the MMA world reacted to the news!

Dwayne Johnson pays an emotional tribute to MMA legends with ‘The Smashing Machine’ as fans rally behind the upcoming biopic

In the comment section for the post by Mark Coleman, Dwayne Johnson thanked ‘The Hammer’ for giving him the opportunity to tell the tale of these often overlooked legends of the sport. Despite suffering from injuries during filming, ‘The Rock’ paid tribute not just to Mark Kerr, but to a pantheon of pioneers like Don Frye, Dan Severn, Kevin Randleman, Gary Goodridge, and Ken Shamrock. These aren’t just names. These were men who bled to build a sport. And now, through this film, they’re being immortalized on the silver screen!

@therock: “My brother, making this film about your lives has been the privilege of a lifetime. Worth every muscle tear. Truth is if I had to do it all over again, I’d do it twice.

Sometimes, fire emojis say more than words. Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson, another legend of the cage, kept it simple. But that fire spoke volumes. An acknowledgment from one warrior to another, honoring the pain, the past, and their shared legacy in the sport of mixed martial arts.

@rampagejackson: “”

Social media star and content creator Nina Marie Daniele also chimed in to pay tribute to ‘The Hammer’! Coleman was the first ever UFC Heavyweight champion and is often credited as the father of ‘ground-and-pound’, a term he also coined. Now, with his long history with Mark Kerr being portrayed on the big screen, a new generation of fans will be able to witness the wild-west days of the sport and the warriors that raised it to new heights.

@ninamariedaniele: “You are a legend Mark”

Mark Coleman’s own daughter, Kenzie, chimed in with heartfelt pride. She couldn’t believe their story, once lived in private struggle, is now captured on film. Her words reflected the emotional gravity of seeing loved ones battle demons and come out alive.

@kenziecoleman: “Can’t wait to see it wow so cool…”

The comparisons are by some fans, were inevitable and warranted. Darren Aronofsky’s ‘The Wrestler’  from 2008 showed us what lies behind the curtain of broken bodies and bruised dreams in the world of professional wrestling. ‘The Smashing Machine’ promises the same raw honesty, with the lens being focused on the world of mixed martial arts, this time around.

“I have a feeling this movie is going to be as big as The Wrestler with Mickey Rourke.”

Other fans were more interested in knowing who would be portraying Mark Coleman in the film. According to information for the film, Ryan Bader, a former Bellator heavyweight champion, has been cast in the role of ‘The Hammer’. The two-time NCAA All-American has the wrestling credentials to accurately portray Coleman, but the emotional aspects of the role? That remains to be seen. What do you think?

“Is Bader playing the role of Mr. Coleman?”

Amid superhero flicks and sequels, this one hits different for some fans. ‘The Smashing Machine’ isn’t a fantasy story. It’s a real look at a man who battled through pain and addiction and, through brotherhood, found hope to turn things around!

“THIS is the film I’m really looking forward to seeing.”

In the end, with Dwayne Johnson pouring his soul into the role and MMA legends like Mark Coleman standing proud beside him, this isn’t just a movie—it’s a time capsule. One that captures pain, brotherhood, and the unforgiving beauty of early MMA. As October 3 approaches, fans aren’t just lining up for a film. They’re showing up to honor a generation that built the foundations of the sport we cheer for today. Will it land with the emotional weight of The Wrestler? Let us know in the comments below!

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