{"id":38275,"date":"2026-05-15T16:14:27","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T16:14:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sherdog.com\/news\/news\/The-Smashing-Machine-makes-cinematic-landfall-in-Japan-201191"},"modified":"2026-05-15T16:14:27","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T16:14:27","slug":"the-smashing-machine-makes-cinematic-landfall-in-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.martialartskleinanzeigen.com\/videos\/the-smashing-machine-makes-cinematic-landfall-in-japan\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018The Smashing Machine\u2019 makes cinematic landfall in Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Now fans in Japan can see what all the hype was about.<\/p>\n

On Friday, \u201cThe Smashing
\nMachine<\/a>\u201d premiered in theaters in Japan. The focus of the
\nbiopic, Mark
\nKerr<\/a>, spent several years competing at the highest level in
\nPride Fighting Championships<\/a>. While doing
\npublicity before the movie\u2019s release, Kerr sat down for an
\ninterview with \u201cGong Kakutogi Magazine,\u201d known for its history of
\nmartial arts coverage dating back to 1986.<\/p>\n

\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

In the interview, Kerr discussed his evolution from wrestler to
\nmixed martial artist, trials and tribulations that he endured
\nduring his fighting career, controversies with Pride FC and
\nultimately overcoming an addiction to steroids and opioids that
\nnearly destroyed his life. He also pulled back the curtain on some
\nlesser-known stories from his time in Pride FC, including about a
\nplanned bout against Royce Gracie<\/a>
\nthat had been set to go ahead at Pride 2 but failed to materialize
\nfor multiple reasons.<\/p>\n

Though he spoke glowingly about fighting in front of the Japanese
\nfans, Kerr did highlight issues that he encountered during his
\nPride FC career. From Gracie exerting control over tournament
\nrules, to being instructed by Pride FC representatives as to how he
\nshould and should not fight against Nobuhiko
\nTakada<\/a>, and then to turning to painkillers when Kerr\u2019s body
\nbegan to break down under the strain of his fighting schedule,
\nthere were highs and treacherous lows for the powerhouse
\nwrestler.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t have an off button\u2026and the results were just disastrous,\u201d
\nKerr recalled.<\/p>\n

Once filled with shame during the worst period of his addiction,
\ntoday Kerr is clean and healthy as he reflects on his career and
\nprepares for a new wave of MMA fans to learn about his life in \u201cThe
\nSmashing Machine.\u201d<\/p>\n