Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson News

Harry Kettle - April 25, 2025

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has explained why he was so interested in playing Mark Kerr in The Smashing Machine movie. For the longest time, The Rock has been one of the biggest names in the world of combat sports – if you include professional wrestling, that is. He’s also proven himself to have a keen interest in mixed martial arts, too, even bestowing the BMF title to Jorge Masvidal a number of years ago. In late 2023, it was announced that he’d be taking his passion for the sport to a new level by playing Mark Kerr in a biopic of the former UFC champion’s life.

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.

Josh Evanoff - May 23, 2024

Fresh off his victory over Tyson Fury in the boxing ring, Oleksandr Usyk will be taking his talents to the big screen. ‘The Cat’ is fresh off his return to Saudi Arabia over the weekend. There, Oleksandr Usyk met Lineal and WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. The two boxers battled to crown the division’s first undisputed champion in two decades, and it was a fight for the ages. After 12 rounds of action, Usyk earned a split-decision victory.

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.

Susan Cox - January 23, 2024

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has been appointed to UFC-WWE Board of Directors. Johnson, an actor and former WWE star, can now add being a member of the board of directors of TKO Group to his resume.

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.

Josh Evanoff - July 27, 2023

UFC welterweight contender Themba Gorimbo got a visit from Dwayne Johnson earlier today. ‘The Answer’ is fresh off his return opposite Takashi Sato in May at UFC Vegas 73. The bout took place just a few months after his debut, a submission loss to A.J. Fletcher in February. However, Themba Gorimbo would have much better fortune in his second outing, winning by unanimous decision.

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.

Chris Taylor - September 9, 2022

I’m not surprised mother f**kers! Nate Diaz trashed Dwayne Johnson’s new UFC training shoes during an interview with Megan Olivi. Diaz (21-13 MMA) has had quite the twenty-four hour stretch after being involved in a backstage scuffle at the UFC 279 press conference on Thursday night, followed by his slated opponent Khamzat Chimaev missing weight the following morning. ‘The Stockton Slugger’ would not entertain the idea of a catchweight fight with ‘Borz’ and so the UFC proceeded to book him against Tony Ferguson instead.

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.