Former MMA champion Ryan Bader evaluates Dwayne Johnson’s fighting skills for The Smashing Machine

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Mar 31, 2025, 17:23 IST

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Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson underwent rigorous MMA training for his role in The Smashing Machine, portraying former UFC fighter Mark Kerr. MMA veteran Ryan Bader praised Johnson's dedication and skillset. Amidst Hollywood projects, Bader contemplates a final UFC fight to conclude his career, hoping for a comeback to the organization where he began his journey in 2008.

Former MMA champion Ryan Bader evaluates Dwayne Johnson’s fighting skills for The Smashing Machine

Photo by Josh Hedges/Getty Images

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is no stranger to physical transformation, but his latest project took things to a whole new level. The 52-year-old WWE icon turned Hollywood megastar is set to portray former UFC fighter Mark Kerr in The Smashing Machine, a movie that delves into Kerr’s rise in MMA and his struggles with painkiller addiction. To prepare, Johnson didn’t just rely on movie magic—he trained like a real fighter. But did his hard work pay off? According to a man who’s been in the cage with some of the greatest fighters in history, the answer is yes.

MMA veteran Ryan Bader breaks down the Rock’s skills

Ryan Bader, a former Bellator heavyweight and light heavyweight champion, has shared the cage with legends like Jon Jones, Fedor Emelianenko, and Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson. He’s also got a key role in The Smashing Machine, playing UFC Hall of Famer Mark Coleman. Having seen Johnson’s MMA preparation firsthand, Bader gave his honest assessment of the Hollywood star’s skills.

“Yeah, he looked good,” Bader said in an interview with Submission Radio. “I’m not gonna say he was out there looking like a guy who has been fighting for 20 years, but he obviously works hard. He went in there and did a training camp with real MMA fighters to get his skill set to look good.”
Bader highlighted Johnson’s commitment, stating, “I’ve seen a little bit of the playbacks, and they look good. Like I said, he worked super, super hard and was actually in great shape, like he always is. Big old dude.”

Ryan Bader’s next move: Will he return to the UFC for a final fight?

While Johnson is making waves in Hollywood, Bader is focused on his own future in MMA. After a tough 21-second knockout loss to Renan Ferreira in early 2024, he recently became a free agent. Now, he’s hoping for one last fight in the UFC, where he started his career back in 2008.
“My manager and I… talked about how cool it would be, kind of, you know, full circle, come back, and at least retire in the UFC,” Bader said. “Even have one fight. I don’t know if they’re in the business of doing that, but we have thought about it.”
Also Read: Will Tom Aspinall ever fight Jon Jones? UFC Interim champ wants answers
Dwayne Johnson has made a career out of looking the part, but his preparation for The Smashing Machine was more than just an act. With praise from a battle-tested veteran like Ryan Bader, it’s clear The Rock took his MMA training seriously. Now, fight fans will have to wait and see if his performance in the film lives up to the hype.

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TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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