UFC icon defends Dwayne Johnson after The Smashing Machine flops at the box office

UFC Icon Defends Dwayne Johnson After The Smashing Machine Flops

Few Hollywood stars have taken as bold a risk as Dwayne Johnson in portraying UFC legend Mark Kerr. In The Smashing Machine, Johnson set aside his usual blockbuster charm to deliver a raw and intense performance centered on addiction, redemption, and physical sacrifice.

Though Johnson's portrayal received critical acclaim and sparked early Oscar buzz, the movie struggled at the box office, leaving even UFC veteran Bruce Buffer disappointed.

Bruce Buffer's Reaction to the Film's Disappointing Outcome

"It was a tour de force for The Rock and Emily Blunt. They did a fantastic job with what they were given," Buffer said on his podcast with TJ De Santis and Ray Longo.

"For the benefit of Mark Kerr, I was hoping it'd be a huge hit because I'd hope Mark had a piece of the action."

Film Details and Production

Directed by Benny Safdie and produced by A24, the film abandons the polished spectacle typical of Johnson’s career. Instead, it exposes bruised humanity, illustrating a man battling his own inner demons alongside fierce opponents.

According to MMA Fighting, Johnson dedicated up to four hours daily in prosthetics to authentically capture Kerr’s physical transformation both in and out of the cage.

Summary

Dwayne Johnson’s gritty transformation for The Smashing Machine earned critical praise, though poor box office results disappointed supporters including UFC’s Bruce Buffer.

MARCA — 2025-11-06