Now fans in Japan can see what all the hype was about.
On Friday, “The Smashing
Machine” premiered in theaters in Japan. The focus of the
biopic, Mark
Kerr, spent several years competing at the highest level in
Pride Fighting Championships. While doing
publicity before the movie’s release, Kerr sat down for an
interview with “Gong Kakutogi Magazine,” known for its history of
martial arts coverage dating back to 1986.
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In the interview, Kerr discussed his evolution from wrestler to
mixed martial artist, trials and tribulations that he endured
during his fighting career, controversies with Pride FC and
ultimately overcoming an addiction to steroids and opioids that
nearly destroyed his life. He also pulled back the curtain on some
lesser-known stories from his time in Pride FC, including about a
planned bout against Royce Gracie
that had been set to go ahead at Pride 2 but failed to materialize
for multiple reasons.
Though he spoke glowingly about fighting in front of the Japanese
fans, Kerr did highlight issues that he encountered during his
Pride FC career. From Gracie exerting control over tournament
rules, to being instructed by Pride FC representatives as to how he
should and should not fight against Nobuhiko
Takada, and then to turning to painkillers when Kerr’s body
began to break down under the strain of his fighting schedule,
there were highs and treacherous lows for the powerhouse
wrestler.
“I didn’t have an off button…and the results were just disastrous,”
Kerr recalled.
Once filled with shame during the worst period of his addiction,
today Kerr is clean and healthy as he reflects on his career and
prepares for a new wave of MMA fans to learn about his life in “The
Smashing Machine.”