The Rock will play two-time UFC champion in a film (Photo: Instagram)
Actor Dwayne Johnson, known worldwide as The Rock, experienced one of the most significant moments of his entire career on Monday night (1). The Hollywood star received a 15-minute standing ovation during the premiere of the film 'The Smashing Machine' at the Venice International Film Festival. In the feature film, he plays the former fighter MMA fighter Mark Kerr, who terrorized the fighting world during the 90s but ended up abandoning the rings and octagons after a series of personal dramas.
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Johnson couldn't contain his emotion and burst into tears upon hearing the applause. Known for his roles in action films such as 'Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw' and 'Black Adam,' the actor publicly admitted his insecurity about playing a real character in a film with such a heavy dramatic tone. The film opens in Brazilian theaters on October 2nd.
Dwayne Johnson weeps during the 15-minute #Venezia2025 standing ovation for 'The Smashing Machine.' This was the most emotion we've since on the Lido since Brendan Fraser launched his Oscar campaign here four years ago for 'The Whale.' pic.twitter.com/BzAjB4v6uk
- Ramin Setoodeh (@RaminSetoodeh) September 1, 2025
“It was very real. I hadn't experienced that in a long, long, long time, when I was really scared and thinking, 'I don't know if I can do this. Can I do it?' I realized that maybe these opportunities weren't coming because I was too scared to explore these things. I was so hungry for an opportunity to do something raw and brave and open myself up. And suddenly, The Smashing Machine came along,” he said in an interview with Vanity Fair in August.
The Rock in character for the film The Smashing Machine. Photo: Reproduction.
Mark Kerr is an MMA legend; The Rock dressed up to play him
The Rock (left) and Mark Kerr (right), during his professional wrestling days. Photo: SUPER FIGHTS montage
Mar Kerr was one of the world's top fighters in the late 90s. After winning significant titles in freestyle wrestling, such as a silver medal at the 1995 Pan American Games, he transitioned to MMA two years later. In the Ultimate Fighting Championship, he won UFC 14 and 15, one-night tournaments held at the time.
Despite quickly becoming a dominant figure in the sport, the American experienced serious problems due to personal dramas. He spoke publicly about his anabolic steroid addiction and depression. Kerr suffered consecutive losses after the early 2000s and ended his career in the sport in 2009 with a record of 15 wins, 11 losses, and one no-contest.
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