Mark Kerr, a two-time UFC heavyweight tournament winner, will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame’s Pioneer Wing on June 28, coinciding with the release of his biopic “The Smashing Machine,” with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson delivering the induction speech.
Mark Kerr’s career is unforgettable. During UFC 316, it was announced that Kerr, now 56, will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame’s Pioneer Wing on June 28 in Las Vegas. Quite the honor!
Kerr, a two-time UFC heavyweight tournament winner, was present at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., to watch a touching video tribute. You can check it out below.
Interestingly, Kerr’s recognition is peaking right now. A biopic about his life, The Smashing Machine, is set for release on Oct. 3. And guess who’s starring? Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson!
Coincidence? Maybe not. It was also revealed that Johnson will deliver Kerr’s induction speech on June 28. Talk about perfect timing.
Kerr was a sensation in the UFC’s early days, clinching heavyweight tournaments at UFC 14 and UFC 15 in 1997. He lived up to his nickname by dominating opponents, winning all but one of his first 11 fights in the first round. But then, things took a turn.
A loss to Kazuyuki Fujita in 2000 marked the start of Kerr’s decline. After that, he won only three of his last 13 fights, retiring in 2009 with a 15-11 (1 NC) record.
Beyond the octagon, Kerr played a key role in launching the Abu Dhabi Combat Club competitions. He won ADCC tournaments in 1999 and 2000 and was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2022.
When Kerr steps onto the T-Mobile Arena stage for his Hall of Fame induction, he’ll join 2025 inductees like Vitor Belfort, Amanda Nunes, and Robbie Lawler. Quite the lineup!
Other Pioneer Wing legends include Royce Gracie, Ken Shamrock, Randy Couture, Chuck Liddell, and Anderson Silva. A legendary company, indeed.