Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson News

Josh Evanoff - April 4, 2025

‘The Smashing Machine’ featuring Dwayne Johnson as UFC legend Mark Kerr will release in October. In late 2023, it was announced that Dwayne Johnson’s passion project about Mark Kerr will finally come to fruition. Some fans likely remember ‘The Rock’ announcing plans for the movie at the UFC 244 pre-fight press conference in 2019. While the film stalled in development hell for years, it finally started filming last year. Quickly, details about the cast began to leak out.

Harry Kettle - March 31, 2025

An early review regarding The Rock’s Smashing Machine movie, based on the life of Mark Kerr, has led to a few raised eyebrows. The Rock is one of the biggest stars in Hollywood and we all know that to be true. From his days in professional wrestling to his transition over to the movies, he is a bonafide megastar. Over the years, though, some have questioned the quality of some of the movies that he’s made. Others are just interested in seeing him take part in really fun projects.

Josh Evanoff - June 19, 2024

UFC President Dana White has given Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson his stamp of approval for his upcoming movie. As some MMA fans are likely aware, the WWE wrestler is currently filming ‘The Smashing Machine’. Being directed by Benny Safdie of ‘Uncut Gems’ fame, ‘The Rock’ will portray UFC legend Mark Kerr. In the early 2000s, an HBO documentary followed the heavyweight’s rise, and then brutal decline in the sport.

Susan Cox - June 12, 2024

‘The Rock’ Dwayne Johnson has injured his ‘People’s Elbow’ during the filming of the new ‘The Smashing Machine’ movie. ‘The Smashing Machine’ is an upcoming American biographical sports drama film based on the career of UFC veteran Mark Kerr. The film stars Dwayne Johnson as former wrestler and mixed martial artist Mark Kerr, alongside Emily Blunt, Lyndsey Gavin, Oleksandr Usyk, Ryan Bader, and Zoe Kosovic. The slated release date for the film is December 2024.

Josh Evanoff - May 21, 2024

WWE wrestler Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is transforming into former UFC heavyweight Mark Kerr. The man known simply as ‘The Smashing Machine’ was one of the UFC’s earliest stars. Mark Kerr debuted in the company in 1997, winning the UFC 14 heavyweight tournament in his first night. Over the next three years, he would cultivate an undefeated 12-0 record inside the octagon, as well as in PRIDE.

Josh Evanoff - May 13, 2024

It seems that Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader is getting involved in show business. ‘Darth’ has been out of action since a clash with PFL heavyweight tournament winner Renan Ferreira in February. The two heavyweights headlined the PFL vs. Bellator event in Saudi Arabia, and it didn’t go well for Ryan Bader. Just seconds into the contest, ‘Problema’ scored a knockdown and quickly stopped the champion.

Josh Evanoff - May 6, 2024

WWE superstar Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is now preparing to play former UFC heavyweight Mark Kerr. ‘The Smashing Machine’ was one of the earliest documentaries about the dark side of MMA. The HBO-made documentary came out in 2002 and starred the aforementioned Mark Kerr. The former UFC heavyweight was once one of the biggest stars in the sport but ended his career dealing with addiction and mental issues.

Harry Kettle - April 22, 2024

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has announced that he has begun his mixed martial arts training camp ahead of his Smashing Machine movie. This year, The Rock has focused a lot of his attention on his professional wrestling return. Now, following WrestleMania XL, he’s preparing for his next move. He’s set to play Mark Kerr later this year in a movie titled Smashing Machine, chronicling his journey in the world of mixed martial arts.

Josh Evanoff - December 13, 2023

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has signed to play former UFC fighter Mark Kerr in a film next year. ‘The Smashing Machine’ was one of MMA’s early dominant stars. First debuting in 1997, Mark Kerr quickly found success inside the cage. The following year, he signed with the UFC, to compete in a one-night heavyweight tournament. Unsurprisingly, the former collegiate wrestler dominated.

Josh Evanoff - November 15, 2023

Dwayne Johnson now works closely with the UFC, but nearly joined their main competitor two decades ago. ‘The Rock’ is famously one of the biggest stars in professional wrestling history. However, many MMA fans likely aren’t aware that his success wasn’t automatic. In 1997, Dwayne Johnson was famously on the outs with the company, as fans badly hated him. As a result, he began to look to a different sport.

Cole Shelton - August 3, 2023

Dwayne Johnson took it a step further than meeting Themba Gorimbo. After Gorimbo revealed he had seven dollars in his bank account prior to this first UFC victory. He also said he would auction off his fight kit so he could help fund the building of a water well in his native village in Zimbabwe. His story caught the attention of ‘The Rock’ who went to Gorimbo’s gym and visited him.

Cole Shelton - July 31, 2023

Dwayne Johnson has nothing but praise for Dustin Poirier. In the main event of UFC 291, Poirier was rematching Justin Gaethje for the vacant BMF title. It was a highly-anticipated fight but in the second round, it was Gaethje who won as he landed a beautiful head kick that knocked Poirier out cold.

Harry Kettle - December 6, 2022

Joe Rogan believes The Rock should ‘come clean’ about his alleged steroid use after the Liver King scandal. Within the context of combat sports and pro wrestling, few people are as beloved as Joe Rogan and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. While The Rock has dipped his toe into the waters of MMA and the UFC, Rogan has lived it for many years.

Susan Cox - September 21, 2022

Nate Diaz is claiming he’s only open to fighting The Rock. It was at UFC 279 on September 10th, 2022 that Nate Diaz (22-13 MMA) defeated Tony Ferguson (26-8 MMA) by submission in the welterweight main event, ending his UFC contract.

Ryan Harkness - September 20, 2022

The Rock continues to get heat from UFC fighters after his new Project Rock shoes were added to the promotion’s official uniform kit, reportedly without extra compensation for those wearing them. Nate Diaz was the first fighter to voice his unhappiness with the footwear, a collaboration between Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Under Armour. During an interview with ESPN’s Megan Olivi, Diaz bashed the shoes so hard that the clip was edited to remove his comments.

Susan Cox - September 15, 2022

Terrance McKinney is pleading with The Rock to ‘get in our corner’ with the new UFC shoe deal. It was recently announced that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson had secured a shoe deal between his Project Rock line and the UFC.

Andrew Whitelaw - August 22, 2022

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson believes that ‘Meatball’ Molly McCann could well be tasting UFC gold at some point down the road. The Hollywood icon posted a mashup on Instagram of the Liverpudlian’s epic spinning elbow knockouts and his own, trademark ‘People’s Elbow’ from his time competing as a pro wrestler in WWE.

Josh Evanoff - May 12, 2022

Dwayne Johnson was just as shocked as everyone else when Michael Chandler knocked out Tony Ferguson. Last Saturday night, the two lightweights met at UFC 274 in Arizona. The bout was a competitive one early, as Ferguson knocked down Chandler in the first round. That first frame was El Cucuy’s first round won in nearly two years. Sadly, the success was short-lived.