Dana White says Dwayne Johnson deserves an Oscar: “It’s raw and real”

Dwayne Johnson has played heroes, villains, wrestlers, secret agents—even demigods. But this time, “The Rock” dropped the action-figure persona and stepped into the skin of a broken, vulnerable, and very real man: Mark Kerr, an MMA legend. And he did it so convincingly that Dana White, president of UFC, didn’t blink before saying Johnson deserves an Oscar. No sugarcoating.

The film, The Smashing Machine, directed by Benny Safdie, premiered at the Venice Film Festival and earned a fifteen-minute standing ovation. It tells Kerr’s story—his rise as a champion in UFC and Pride, and his internal battle with addiction and media pressure. Dwayne Johnson worked directly with Kerr to understand his journey from the inside. The result was a performance that even skeptics like Dana White couldn’t ignore.

A rawer side of Johnson

In fact, according to Firstsportz, Dana White isn’t usually a fan of martial arts movies. But this time, he changed his tune. “The Rock flew to Vegas and showed me the film. There’s a scene with Emily Blunt that should earn both of them an Oscar,” White said, visibly moved. UFC contributed to the production, providing archival footage, real fighters, and access to events to ensure the sport’s authenticity was captured.

“Tom Aspinall knocks out The Rock in 8 seconds!”@TheRock reflects on if he was a UFC fighter 😂 #UFCHoF pic.twitter.com/tZLPACG83g

— UFC (@ufc) June 27, 2025

Dwayne Johnson, who had already made his mark as a WWE icon and box-office star, now steps away from his more commercial roles to show a raw and honest side. Critics have already called his performance “transformative,” praising his ability to portray addiction without falling into clichés. His chemistry with Blunt, who plays Kerr’s partner Dawn Staples, also caught Dana White’s attention.

A story of redemption

Dwayne Johnson’s connection to MMA isn’t new. He’s attended multiple UFC events, handed the BMF belt to Jorge Masvidal, and recently joked at the UFC Hall of Fame that Tom Aspinall would “knock him out in eight seconds” if he ever dared to fight. He also gifted a house to fighter Themba Gorimbo after learning he had just seven dollars to his name.

The Smashing Machine isn’t just a fight movie. It’s a story of redemption, pain, and respect for a sport that doesn’t forgive easily. And if Dana White says it’s worth Hollywood’s attention, maybe it’s time the Academy listened. Because when cinema captures the soul of the octagon, the applause doesn’t just come from the audience—it comes from those who’ve lived the fight firsthand.