Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has embarked on an intense mixed martial arts (MMA) training regimen for his upcoming role in the film “Smashing Machine,” where he portrays former UFC heavyweight champion, Mark Kerr. The movie delves into Kerr’s successful but tumultuous MMA career during the 1990s, highlighting his achievements in heavyweight tournaments and his battle with painkiller addiction.
Nicknamed “The Smashing Machine,” Kerr earned a reputation for his aggressive and powerful fighting style, which is central to the film’s portrayal of his journey.
In a recent Instagram post, Johnson shared his day-one experience of MMA training camp for the role, acknowledging the challenges and intensity of immersing himself in combat sports. He expressed humility and motivation in preparing to embody Kerr, a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion and World Vale Tudo Champion.
Johnson is collaborating closely with writer and filmmaker Benny Safdie on “Smashing Machine,” with Emily Blunt set to portray Kerr’s wife, Dawn Staples.
The project revisits Kerr’s life story, which was previously explored in a well-received HBO documentary of the same name released in 2002. The documentary was praised for its candid depiction of Kerr’s career highs and lows.
Interestingly, during an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, Johnson disclosed that he once contemplated a career in MMA before finding success in WWE and Hollywood. He recounted considering a move to PRIDE FC in Japan upon learning of the substantial earnings of MMA fighters compared to his wrestling salary.
“We start hearing these guys over at PRIDE are making 250k, 350k, 500k, and I thought then, ‘F**k, I don’t think I’m going to make it in WWE.’ People are booing me out of the arenas… I have this idea in my head, ‘Oh, maybe I should train in MMA and go to PRIDE and make money, real money,'” Johnson shared during the interview.
The Rock claims he was considering moving to MMA when he saw how much Pride fighters were making
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Johnson’s path led him to immense success in entertainment, but his ongoing dedication to physical training and commitment to embodying diverse roles underscores his versatility and passion as an actor. The preparation for “Smashing Machine” marks another notable chapter in Johnson’s impressive career trajectory.
