Disclaimer: This article contains mentions of drug addiction. Reader discretion is advised.
The Smashing Machine Mark Kerr, the MMA legend, got the nickname for his aggressive and dominant fighting style in the ring. Now, a new A24 film titled after Kerr’s iconic nickname “The Smashing Machine” will star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as the former MMA fighter alongside Emily Blunt. Benny Safdie, who co-directed UnCut Gems, is serving as writer and director in the upcoming biopic, reported Variety.
Per the outlet, Mark Kerr was a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion. Despite succeeding at the sport, Kerr led a tumultuous personal life. The iconic Smashing Machine struggled with addiction that affected his professional career as an MMA fighter and his relationship with his long-time girlfriend and later wife, Dawn Staples. Hindustan Times reported that Kerr has won over 20 MMA titles, including two at UFC and a World Vale Tudo Championship tournament.
HBO’s The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr, has previously chronicled his story. The 2002 documentary also depicted the legendary MMA fighter’s extraordinary success in the sport, his battle with painkiller addiction, and other personal issues.
What happened to the Smashing Machine Mark Kerr?
Sportskeeda reported that Mark Kerr made his UFC debut in 1997, after which he won two Heavyweight Championships. Before that, The Smashing Machine was a Division I national champion wrestler at Syracuse University, per Bleacher Report. Kerr also participated in the World Cup and World Championships and bagged a silver medal at the 1995 Pan American Games. The next year, he couldn’t qualify for the Summer Olympics and thus moved into MMA. His MMA career began with World Vale Tudo, then came UFC and Pride, and other MMA promotions.
According to ESPN, the Smashing Machine Mark Kerr had battled with addiction to painkillers throughout his MMA career. He started taking painkillers and, at some point, even began injecting black-market opiates. Talking about his addiction, Kerr told Sports Illustrated, “Once you turn that invisible line, there’s no going back.
ESPN stated that the Smashing Machine overdosed on methadone and Valium in 1999 and had to be hospitalized. Per Sports Illustrated, Kerr claimed, “The prescription narcotics mixed with alcohol turns into a sloppy existence. When a bottle of alcohol takes your will it’s a little bit harder because I’m fighting myself.”
Mark Kerr’s drug addiction also impacted his relationship with his girlfriend, Dawn Staples, who later married the MMA icon. Essentially Sports stated that after the overdozing incident and his hospitalization, Kerr attempted rehabilitation. However, his efforts to change his lifestyle failed to make a difference. Staples alleged his addiction worsened to the point when Staples had to end an argument by using Kerr’s gun.
The couple split after this but reunited and finally tied the knot. However, they separated once again. Per The U.S. Sun, although the date of their divorce has not been publicized, they reportedly share a son together. Kerr then married Franci Alberding, who works as a fitness consultant.
Per Sports Illustrated and Essentially Sports, the Smashing Machine, who had debuted at Pride FC in 1998, reigned in the Japanese promotion. Then, in May 2000, he lost to Kazuyuki Fujita, after which he went on a hiatus. His career eventually came to a close after an 11-time losing streak, including the one to Fujita, in 14 fights. Kerr said, “When I lost to Fujita, then fought Heath Herring and fought Vovchanchyn again, I pretty much felt in my heart that I was done.”
The upcoming Smashing Machine Mark Kerr biopic, starring The Rock at the center, will look at the icon’s tumultuous MMA career and life. The 2002 documentary, which premiered in 2002, depicts Kerr’s story along the same lines.
