Dwayne Johnson’s Leaves 60-Year-Old UFC Legend ‘Blessed and Honored’ After Director’s Touching Gesture

Toronto buzzed as the 50th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) celebrated its milestone “Festival of Festivals” in 2025. However, this year, Hollywood didn’t own the spotlight alone—the UFC crashed the conversation, led by Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. Now, more than a week later, The Smashing Machine continues to grab attention.

The film, starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt and directed by Benny Safdie, delves into the turbulent life of UFC legend Mark Kerr. Even before its wide release, critics are already praising it as one of the most authentic fight stories ever captured on screen. The buzz began at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, where the premiere earned a thunderous 15-minute standing ovation, even winning the prestigious Silver Lion. Once again, The Rock has won over both moviegoers and UFC fans alike.

UFC legend Mark Kerr faced a turbulent career, but his longtime training partner Mark Coleman always stayed in his corner. Their bond first grabbed attention in the 2002 HBO documentary The Smashing Machine, which took viewers inside Kerr’s chaotic world in MMA. Fast forward to today, Coleman’s influence continues in the new movie. Former UFC star Ryan Bader plays the role of young Mark Coleman in the film, giving audiences a glimpse of the fighter’s early struggles.

Mark Coleman thanks Dwayne Johnson in a heartfelt note

The real headline? Dwayne Johnson and Benny Safdie didn’t just invite Mark Coleman to the Toronto International Film Festival—he met him in person and shared a photo together on social media, instantly making waves. The 60-year-old UFC legend didn’t hold back, sharing his gratitude for the gesture online. Coupled with the images where he can be seen mingling with the stars of the film, Coleman wrote, “Wow. Toronto Film Fest for @thesmashingmachinemovie I am blessed, honored, grateful, and excited to be a part of this. Thank you (Benny Safdie). Thank you all for the support. It’s been a wild ride for me and markkerrtsm since the beginning. Smashing Machine premieres in theaters October 3rd, 2025. Sober is always cool. Hammer House 4 life. Love you all.”

This marks Coleman’s second brush with cinema. The 2002 documentary captured the depth of their friendship and the highs and lows of life in the octagon. In both films, Kerr and Coleman act as more than teammates—they support each other through every challenge, clearly proving they are brothers in the cage.

Nevertheless, the buzz is real. Even before its theatrical release, the film has already earned positive reviews. Produced by A24, it holds an 80% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising Dwayne Johnson’s acting as his “best performance to date.”

Dana White predicts Oscar nod for Dwayne Johnson in The Smashing Machine

At the 82nd Venice Film Festival on September 1, The Smashing Machine hit the red carpet and immediately set the tone. Initially, early buzz had been mixed—critics questioned Dwayne Johnson’s choice to tackle a role that could have leaned on clichés. However, the premiere silenced the doubters. The film ended with a 15-minute standing ovation, packed with applause, as Johnson and Emily Blunt celebrated the reaction on social media.

Since that night, fans have been clamoring for an Oscar nod for Dwayne Johnson at the 98th Academy Awards, flooding social media with hashtags like “Oscar loading” and raving about his powerhouse performance as UFC legend Mark Kerr. When ‘The Rock’s first look as Kerr dropped last year, the transformation was jaw-dropping—he was almost unrecognizable.

Even the UFC CEO Dana White weighed in, backing Johnson and raising expectations. White wrote, “I don’t know if you saw it, but he was showing on his Instagram the other day that he messed up his elbow,” White told Collider in an interview. “The Rock will kill this. He will nail this role. I know how serious he’s taking this, I know who’s working with him, and I know how hard he’s working on this film. I think that this could be the opportunity for The Rock to actually be nominated for an Oscar.”

With less than a month to go before the film hits theaters, anticipation is building. Will Dana White’s confidence and the critics’ praise translate to a career-defining success for both Johnson and the film? Only time will tell.