Dwayne Johnson Endures Authentic Blow for 'The Smashing Machine' Biopic Role

Dwayne Johnson, known globally as "The Rock," has detailed a significant on-set incident during the filming of "The Smashing Machine," a biographical drama in which he portrays legendary mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Mark Kerr. Johnson revealed that he sustained a legitimate punch from a professional MMA fighter during a pivotal scene, an experience he described as having his "bell rung." This commitment to authenticity underscores the production’s ambition to accurately depict the brutal realities of professional fighting.

The incident occurred while filming a recreation of Kerr’s highly anticipated 2000 Pride Grand Prix finals fight against Japanese heavyweight Kazuyuki Fujita. Johnson, who has a long-standing reputation for performing his own stunt choreography, was intent on ensuring the fight sequences conveyed an unvarnished realism.

"It felt like when you get rocked by a real fighter multiple times," Johnson stated during a recent combat sports media roundtable for the film. "There’s a moment in the trailer where I’m on my knees in the ring and I look up dazed. That’s real. I got my bell rung. Benny [Safdie, the director] said, ‘Hold on! Stay right there!’ I was seeing three heads of Benny Safdie and 15 heads of Mark Kerr."

Prior to the commencement of production, director Benny Safdie had reportedly expressed his desire to minimize cuts during the fight sequences, aiming to keep the camera focused on Johnson to capture the raw intensity of the bouts. This directive signaled to Johnson that a highly physical approach would be required, despite the availability of two capable stuntmen on standby. While many of the film’s fight scenes are captured from the perspective of the crowd, offering a broader view, one specific scene necessitated a closer, more intimate portrayal of the action, demanding an extreme level of method acting from Johnson.

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Johnson recounted the challenge of convincing his scene partner, a professional mixed martial artist, to deliver a full-force strike. "I said, ‘Hey brother, you’re pulling the punches. You need to lay it in and hit me,’" Johnson recalled. The fighter, exhibiting understandable caution and respect for Johnson, initially resisted the request. "He said, ‘What do you mean?’ I said, ‘Benny isn’t cutting away. This is the end of the movie. You know this really happened to Mark. You have to lay it in.’ I said, ‘Look, just don’t hit me here, you’ll break my jaw. Don’t hit me in the temple, you’ll kill me. But if you can hit me in my cheekbone.’"

The fighter’s reluctance persisted, with him responding, "No, no, no. I’m not going to do that.’ I said, ‘I need you to hit me.’ He goes, ‘I respect you. I’m not doing that.’" It was at this juncture that Safdie intervened, reinforcing Johnson’s plea for authenticity. "I asked Benny to come over. Benny said, ‘You have to hit him because I’m not cutting away.’ I grabbed him and said, ‘Please, brother. It’s you and me here. It’s OK.’"

Adding a moment of levity to the intense recounting, Safdie, who also participated in the roundtable alongside Johnson and Kerr, shared an amusing anecdote. Legendary MMA figure Bas Rutten, who is also featured in the film, was reportedly listening to the exchange and interjected with characteristic bluntness: "Just hit him! He’s just The Rock! Hit him!"

"He hit me so hard!" Johnson exclaimed in response, confirming the success of their collective effort to achieve realism. "That’s what you see in the movie. Not only is he hitting me, but I realized watching back that he’s coming down. That was a punch! Dude!"

The film, "The Smashing Machine," draws its narrative from the critically acclaimed 2002 documentary "The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr." The documentary chronicled Kerr’s formidable career and his personal struggles with addiction and injuries, offering an unflinching look at the human cost of combat sports. Mark Kerr, known as "The Smashing Machine," was a dominant force in the early days of MMA, achieving significant success in both the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Pride Fighting Championships. He won the UFC Heavyweight Tournament at UFC 14 in 1997 and repeated the feat at UFC 15 later that year. His powerful wrestling base and aggressive style earned him a fearsome reputation, particularly in Japan’s Pride FC, where he became a prominent figure in the heavyweight division. The 2000 Pride Grand Prix finals, where the on-set incident took place, was a high-stakes event that further cemented his legacy in the sport.

Kazuyuki Fujita, Kerr’s opponent in the recreated scene, is a respected figure in Japanese combat sports. A former professional wrestler and mixed martial artist, Fujita also competed extensively in Pride FC and K-1, known for his incredible durability and heavy-hitting style. His background in both professional wrestling and legitimate combat sports made him a formidable opponent for Kerr, embodying the era’s blend of showmanship and legitimate fighting prowess.

The film’s cast also features Emily Blunt in an undisclosed role, alongside a roster of notable figures from the world of combat sports, enhancing its authenticity. UFC alum and two-division Bellator champion Ryan Bader portrays UFC Hall of Famer Mark Coleman, a pioneer of "ground and pound" fighting and the first-ever UFC Heavyweight Champion. Coleman’s influence on the sport’s development is profound, making Bader’s portrayal a key element of the film’s historical accuracy. Undisputed boxing heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, an Olympic gold medalist and one of the most technically skilled boxers of his generation, also appears in the film, showcasing the growing crossover appeal between boxing and MMA. Bas Rutten, a former UFC Heavyweight Champion and a charismatic personality in the sport, portrays himself, lending further credibility and insight to the narrative.

Director Benny Safdie, known for his gritty and realistic filmmaking style in collaborations with his brother Josh Safdie on films like "Uncut Gems" and "Good Time," brings a distinct vision to "The Smashing Machine." His emphasis on raw, unedited performances aligns with Johnson’s commitment to portraying Kerr’s story with integrity.

"The Smashing Machine" is scheduled to premiere on October 3 in the United States, promising audiences a visceral and honest depiction of a pivotal era in mixed martial arts and the complex life of one of its most iconic figures. The reported incident involving Johnson underscores the production’s dedication to delivering a truly immersive and authentic cinematic experience.