Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson makes shocking transformation in new film about early UFC champion



Movie star and professional wrestler Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson released an image of his transformation into former MMA star Mark Kerr, one of the UFC's earliest champions.

Kerr won the heavyweight tournament at UFC 14, which was the early format for the promotion, and won two more fights at UFC 15. Between 1997-2000 Kerr had an undefeated record of 12-0 before he would struggle winning just three more fights over the next nine years.

Kerr's nickname was "The Smashing Machine," which was also the title of the 2002 HBO documentary that showed his struggles with substance abuse at the same time he began accumulating losses in the cage.

"The Rock" decided to adapt the documentary into a movie, with himself playing the heavyweight fighter. Johnson and studio A24 shared a photo of the actor from the film where he looks almost completely unrecognizable and a spitting image of Kerr.

'A true honor for me to pay homage & respect to this legendary MMA Godfather.'

Johnson has shared images and video for several weeks from inside gyms where he is doing MMA training as well as stunt choreography for the film.

"Working hard to learn and absorb everything I can," Johnson wrote on X.

"Mark was a two time UFC Heavyweight World Tournament Champion and World Vale Tudo Champion. A true honor for me to pay homage & respect to this legendary MMA Godfather, all MMA fighters, the MMA community and to all our athletes who've struggled with mental health and addiction," Johnson added.

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The film also reportedly features former pro fighter Bas Rutten, who actually trained with Kerr when he was fighting. Also, current heavyweight fighter Ryan Bader is said to be in the film, BJPenn.com reported. Bader's most recent fight was in February 2024.

Bader was reportedly a recent add to the cast and is said to be playing another UFC legend, Mark Coleman. Coleman recently made headlines for rescuing his parents from a house fire that landed him in the hospital, resulting in a viral video of him recalling the heroic feat with his daughters.

The film is directed by Benny Safdie, who took the helm on the studio's "Uncut Gems" movie starring Adam Sandler, which featured several professional athletes and a focus on gambling.

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Author who dog-piled Joe Rogan for use of N-word used N-word dozens of times in bestselling books



Bestselling author Don Winslow joined the movement to cancel Joe Rogan after a video showing Rogan using the N-word went viral. But it turns out that Winslow is not so innocent himself.

In fact, Winslow — a white man — has used the N-word dozens of times in at least five of his books: "The Force," "Savages," "The Gentleman's Hour," "Way Down on the High Lonely," and "The Border."

For example, Winslow used the phrase "n***** baby," "n*****," and "n*****s" in character dialogue in "The Force."

Meanwhile, in "Savages," Winslow used the N-word to describe the stereotypical life of Mexican immigrants.

"You want to be one of those good Mexicans, one of those hardworking, churchgoing, family-valuing, get dressed in my best clothes on Sunday and walk with my cousins down those broad sunbaked boulevards to park named after Chavez, humble respectful n***** taco Mexicans, the ones we all love and respect and pay subminimum wage?" Winslow wrote before adding, "Does this six days a week, stops only on Sunday to be a humble respectful n***** taco Mexican to God, give the money he sweats for to God and the f****t priests."

You can view every instance of Winslow using the N-word in his books in the Twitter thread below:

1/\nSo, @donwinslow tried to get @joerogan cancelled for saying the N-word.\n\nIt turns out that in his books Don winslow has used the n-word a lot... and I mean a **LOT**\n\nSo here is a **VERY** long thread of times Don Winslow has used the N-word in his books. https://twitter.com/donwinslow/status/1489741351935627266\u00a0\u2026pic.twitter.com/lKpIORkx2Z
— Wokal Distance (@Wokal Distance) 1644112485

What is the background?

After Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson voiced support for Rogan, Winslow went after Johnson because of Rogan's allegedly "many racist statements."

"Dear @TheRock, You're a hero to many people and using your platform to defend Joe Rogan, a guy that used and laughed about using the N word dozens of times, is a terrible use of your power," Winslow tweeted. "Have you actually listened to this man's many racist statements about Black people?"

In response, Johnson seemingly revoked his support for Rogan after becoming "educated to [Rogan's] complete narrative."

"Dear @donwinslow Thank you so much for this I hear you as well as everyone here 100% I was not aware of his N word use prior to my comments, but now I've become educated to his complete narrative," Johnson responded. "Learning moment for me. Mahalo, brother and have a great & productive weekend. DJ."

Dear @donwinslow \nThank you so much for this\nI hear you as well as everyone here 100%\nI was not aware of his N word use prior to my comments, but now I've become educated to his complete narrative.\nLearning moment for me.\n\nMahalo, brother and have a great & productive weekend.\nDJhttps://twitter.com/donwinslow/status/1489741351935627266\u00a0\u2026
— Dwayne Johnson (@Dwayne Johnson) 1644027373

How did Winslow respond?

The bestselling author excused his behavior and attempted to contextualize his uses of the N-word because he used the epithet in works of fiction.

"So pathetic+desperate to cover up years of racism including comparing a movie theater full of Black people to walking into The Planet of the Apes +being a birther against President Obama that Rogan groupies are now attacking works of *FICTION and *MOVIES to justify Rogan's words," Winslow said on Twitter Monday afternoon.

So pathetic+desperate to cover up years of racism including comparing a movie theater full of Black people to walking into The Planet of the Apes +being a birther against President Obama that Rogan groupies are now attacking works of *FICTION and *MOVIES to justify Rogan's words.
— Don Winslow (@Don Winslow) 1644266409

Video: Watch Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson give his own custom pickup truck to a Navy veteran



Actor Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson gave his own pickup truck to Navy veteran Oscar Rodriguez, and shared video of the touching moment online.

The heartwarming scene has amassed millions of views.

"I invited fans to a special theater screening of RED NOTICE and I wanted to do something cool for all of them," Johnson explained on social media. "Free concessions, @projectrock, @teremana, @zoaenergy, @saltandstraw ice cream. Free everything and a great time at the movies!"

"I also wanted to do something BIG… something MASSIVE… something unforgettable for one fan," he noted. "My original idea was to give away the Porsche Taycan, that I drive in the movie, Red Notice. So we reached out to Porsche, but they said no."

Johnson said that he decided that he would give away his own truck instead.

"I gathered as much information as I could about everyone in the audience and ultimately, Oscar's story moved me," the actor noted. "Takes care of his 75 year old mom. Personal trainer. Leader at his church. Provides support and meals for women victimized by domestic violence. Proud & humble Navy veteran. Kind human being."

In the video, Rodriguez, who had been excited just to meet Johnson, became very emotional after learning that Johnson was giving him the vehicle.

"Hugging @therock is worth a thousand trucks!" Rodriguez said in an Instagram post. "I could have gone home content and satisfied knowing I got a BEAR HUG from Dwayne Johnson, A Living Legend. Cheers to you brother. I pray for more hugs, @teremana toasts in our future!"