The Smashing Machine Cast and Plot Breakdown (Full Guide)

Dive into the gripping true story of one of MMA’s most formidable figures when The Smashing Machine hits theaters on October 3, 2025. The film chronicles the intense and tumultuous life of Mark Kerr, a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion and World Vale Tudo Champion, whose dominance in the early days of mixed martial arts was matched only by his personal struggles. Directed by Benny Safdie, this biopic promises a raw and unflinching look at the cost of greatness. Bringing this powerful story to life is a compelling cast, led by a global superstar in a transformative role and supported by a mix of real-life fighters and character actors.

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The Smashing Machine movie cast

1. Dwayne Johnson as Mark Kerr

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is one of the most recognizable movie stars in the world, a former WWE champion who successfully parlayed his wrestling charisma into a blockbuster film career. Born on May 2, 1972, he first gained fame as “The People’s Champion” in professional wrestling before making his acting debut in The Mummy Returns (2001). His early film roles in the The Scorpion King and the Fast & Furious franchise established his action-hero persona, while later comedic successes like Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Moana showcased his broad appeal and versatility, making him a consistently top-grossing star.

Johnson’s role as Mark Kerr in The Smashing Machine represents a significant and dramatic departure from his typical heroic characters. To play the troubled MMA legend, Johnson underwent a physical and psychological transformation, delving into the dark corners of Kerr’s life, including his addiction issues and the immense pressure of competition. This collaboration with director Benny Safdie signals Johnson’s intent to deliver a raw, unvarnished, and critically acclaimed performance that explores the vulnerability and pain behind a seemingly invincible exterior, potentially redefining his acting legacy.

2. Kenny Rice as Vale Tudo Announcer

Kenny Rice is a legendary sports broadcaster whose voice is synonymous with combat sports. For decades, he was a primary host and anchor for NBC Sports’ coverage of boxing and later became a foundational voice for the UFC on their broadcast and pay-per-view events. His articulate and knowledgeable commentary has guided audiences through some of the most historic moments in mixed martial arts history, making him an instantly authoritative and recognizable figure for any fan of the sport.

Casting Kenny Rice as the Vale Tudo Announcer is a masterstroke of authenticity for The Smashing Machine. His presence immediately grounds the film in the real-world atmosphere of 1990s MMA, providing the visceral, blow-by-blow narration that defined early events like the World Vale Tudo Championship. Rice isn’t just playing a role; he is essentially reprising his real-life job, ensuring that the film’s fight sequences feel genuine and are framed with the same gravity and expertise that audiences would have experienced during Kerr’s actual career.

3. Jerin Valel as Sergio Batarelli

Jerin Valel is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and a respected MMA judge and referee who has worked for major promotions like the UFC and PFL. While not a mainstream actor, his deep immersion in the world of mixed martial arts makes him an authentic choice for a film deeply embedded in its culture. Valel’s understanding of the sport’s nuances, from the technical aspects to the promoter-fighter dynamic, brings a layer of credibility that a traditional actor might struggle to replicate.

In The Smashing Machine, Valel steps into the role of Sergio Batarelli, the influential promoter behind the World Vale Tudo events in Brazil where Mark Kerr fought and dominated. Batarelli was a key figure in the early, no-holds-barred era of the sport, and Valel’s portrayal will likely capture the complex relationship between a promoter and his star fighter. His performance will help illustrate the brutal, often unregulated business side of the sport that Kerr navigated during his rise to the top.

4. Andre Tricoteux as Paul Varelans

Andre Tricoteux is a veteran stuntman and actor known for his imposing physical presence, standing at 6’8″. He has extensive experience in both film and television, often performing stunts and playing physical roles in major franchises. He was the stunt double for Colossus in Deadpool and Deadpool 2, and has appeared on screen in shows like The Man in the High Castle and The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. His expertise in action and combat choreography is a valuable asset for the film’s realistic fight scenes.

Tricoteux portrays Paul “The Polar Bear” Varelans, a real-life UFC and MMA pioneer known for his enormous size and aggressive fighting style. Varelans was a notable competitor in the same era as Mark Kerr, and his casting indicates the film will faithfully recreate specific fights from Kerr’s career. Tricoteux’s physicality and stunt background make him ideal for embodying the formidable opponents Kerr faced in the octagon, ensuring the combat depicted is as visceral and authentic as the story itself.

5. James McSweeney as Varelans’ Cornerman

James McSweeney is a professional mixed martial artist and kickboxer with a career spanning over 20 years, having competed in promotions like the UFC and Bellator. As a fighter, he has firsthand experience with the corners of the cage, both as a competitor and as a coach. This real-life experience is invaluable for a film that aims to capture the high-stakes environment of a fighter’s corner, where split-second decisions and urgent advice can determine the outcome of a bout.

In the film, McSweeney plays the cornerman for Paul Varelans. While a specific role, it is a crucial one for adding depth to the fight scenes. A cornerman’s interactions—rushing to wipe down a fighter, shouting instructions, showing desperation or encouragement—are key to building tension and realism. McSweeney, having lived this role countless times, will bring an authentic intensity to these moments, accurately portraying the dynamic between a fighter and his team in the heat of battle.

6. Ryan Bader as Mark Coleman

Ryan “Darth” Bader is the current reigning Bellator Heavyweight Champion and a highly accomplished wrestler and mixed martial artist. A former two-division champion in Bellator and a winner of The Ultimate Fighter, Bader has been a top-tier fighter for over a decade. His collegiate wrestling pedigree at Arizona State University and his successful MMA career make him intimately familiar with the world and mindset of a champion fighter like Mark Coleman.

Bader takes on the role of Mark “The Hammer” Coleman, a UFC Hall of Famer, former UFC Heavyweight Champion, and the founder of the ground-and-pound fighting style. Coleman was a close friend and training partner of Mark Kerr, and their relationship is a central part of Kerr’s story. Casting a current champion like Bader to play another legend adds a layer of profound respect and authenticity to the film, as he can physically and spiritually embody the prowess and camaraderie of these pioneering athletes.

7. Jill Basey as Peggy

Jill Basey is an actress with a range of credits in television and film, including appearances in series like The Good Place and The OA. She often brings a grounded, relatable presence to her roles, capable of conveying deep emotion and complexity. Her experience in both comedic and dramatic projects positions her well to handle the nuanced human drama that exists outside the cage in Mark Kerr’s story.

Basey plays Peggy, a character who likely represents a significant personal relationship in Mark Kerr’s life outside of fighting. While details are scarce, her character could be a family member, a friend, or a romantic partner who provides a window into Kerr’s struggles with addiction and his personal relationships. Basey’s role will be essential in showcasing the man behind the “Smashing Machine” persona, highlighting the human cost of his career and his search for stability beyond the spotlight.

8. Bethany Brown as Nurse

Bethany Brown is a Canadian actress known for her work in television, with notable roles in series like The Order, The Returned, and Two Sentence Horror Stories. She has demonstrated a strong ability to portray characters in high-stakes, emotional situations, often bringing a sense of compassion and professionalism to her roles. Her background in genre television has prepared her for projects that require a balance of drama and intensity.

As a Nurse in the film, Brown’s character is almost certainly involved in the storyline concerning Mark Kerr’s well-documented struggles with painkiller addiction and injuries. The nurse would represent the medical world that intersected with Kerr’s life, perhaps in a rehab facility or a hospital following a fight. Her performance will help illustrate the physical toll the sport took on Kerr and the institutional context of his addiction, adding a critical layer to the film’s exploration of his health battles.

9. Raja Flores as Dr. Cortez

Dr. Raja Flores is not a professional actor but a renowned and highly respected thoracic surgeon based in New York City. He is the Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital and a leading expert in his field. His casting is a fascinating choice that prioritizes absolute authenticity in the medical scenes, similar to how Kenny Rice brings authenticity to the commentary.

Playing Dr. Cortez, Flores will likely appear in scenes dealing with the serious medical issues and surgeries Kerr faced due to his career. Having a real-world leading surgeon portray a doctor ensures that these moments are executed with clinical precision and realism. His presence lends a powerful credibility to the narrative, starkly depicting the consequences of Kerr’s profession in a way that only a true medical professional can.