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Mark Kerr (fighter)

Updated: Wikipedia source

Mark Kerr (fighter)

Mark Kerr (born December 21, 1968) is an American former wrestler and mixed martial artist. During his MMA career, he was a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion, World Vale Tudo Championship tournament winner, and a PRIDE FC competitor. In collegiate wrestling, Kerr was an NCAA Division I champion. In freestyle wrestling, he won gold and silver medals at the World Cup and silver at the Pan American Games. In submission wrestling, Kerr is a four-time ADCC World Champion, winning his weightclass twice along with the absolute division and the Superfight Championship. In 2002, Kerr was the subject of an HBO documentary titled The Smashing Machine, which detailed his MMA career fighting in Vale Tudo, the UFC and PRIDE. The Smashing Machine also focused on Kerr's struggle with substance abuse, his relationships with his then-girlfriend, various training partners, and friendship with Mark Coleman. A film of the same name by A24, starring Dwayne Johnson as Kerr, was released on October 3, 2025.

Infobox

Born
(1968-12-21) December 21, 1968 (age 56)Toledo, Ohio, U.S.
Other names
The Smashing Machine
Height
6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight
255 lb (116 kg; 18 st 3 lb)
Division
Heavyweight (265 lb)
Style
Wrestling
Team
Team Kerr
Wrestling
NCAA Division I Champion in collegiate wrestling USA Wrestling national team for freestyle wrestling
Years active
1997–2009 (MMA)
Total
27
Wins
15
By knockout
6
By submission
3
By decision
2
By disqualification
2
Losses
11
No contests
1
Representing the United States
Medal record Representing the United States Men's freestyle wrestling World Cup 1994 Edmonton 100 kg 1992 Moscow 100 kg Pan American Games 1995 Mar del Plata 100 kg Men's submission wrestling ADCC World Championships 1999 Abu Dhabi 99 kg 2000 Abu Dhabi 99 kg 2000 Abu Dhabi Absolute 2001 Abu Dhabi Superfight Collegiate wrestling Representing the Syracuse Orange NCAA Division I Championships 1992 Oklahoma City 190 lb EIWA Championships 1989 Bethlehem 190 lb 1991 Bethlehem 190 lb 1992 Philadelphia 190 lb 1988 Syracuse 190 lb

Tables

Professional record breakdown · Mixed martial arts record
By knockout
By knockout
27 matches
By knockout
15 wins
4
11 losses
6
By submission
By submission
27 matches
By submission
15 wins
7
11 losses
3
By decision
By decision
27 matches
By decision
15 wins
2
11 losses
2
By disqualification
By disqualification
27 matches
By disqualification
15 wins
2
11 losses
0
No contests
No contests
27 matches
No contests
15 wins
1
27 matches
15 wins
11 losses
By knockout
4
6
By submission
7
3
By decision
2
2
By disqualification
2
0
No contests
1
· Mixed martial arts record
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
15–11 (1)
Opponent
Muhammed Lawal
Method
TKO (punches)
Event
M-1 Global: Breakthrough
Date
August 28, 2009
Round
1
Time
0:25
Location
Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
15–10 (1)
Opponent
Jeff Monson
Method
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Event
Vengeance FC
Date
September 27, 2008
Round
1
Time
3:17
Location
Concord, North Carolina, United States
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
15–9 (1)
Opponent
Ralph Kelly
Method
TKO (punches)
Event
Xp3: The Proving Ground
Date
July 26, 2008
Round
1
Time
4:11
Location
Houston, Texas, United States
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
15–8 (1)
Opponent
Tracy Willis
Method
Submission (guillotine choke)
Event
C-3 Fights: Contenders
Date
June 7, 2008
Round
1
Time
0:45
Location
Concho, Oklahoma, United States
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
15–7 (1)
Opponent
Oleg Taktarov
Method
Submission (kneebar)
Event
YAMMA Pit Fighting
Date
April 11, 2008
Round
1
Time
1:55
Location
Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
15–6 (1)
Opponent
Chuck Huus
Method
Submission (keylock)
Event
CCCF: Battle on the Border
Date
March 29, 2008
Round
1
Time
2:41
Location
Newkirk, Oklahoma, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
14–6 (1)
Opponent
Steve Gavin
Method
Submission (armlock)
Event
WCO: Kerr Vs. Gavin
Date
November 7, 2007
Round
1
Time
1:39
Location
Hollywood, California, United States
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
13–6 (1)
Opponent
Mostapha al-Turk
Method
TKO (submission to punches)
Event
Cage Rage 20
Date
February 10, 2007
Round
1
Time
2:29
Location
London, England
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
13–5 (1)
Opponent
Mike Whitehead
Method
TKO (punches)
Event
IFL: World Championship Semifinals
Date
November 2, 2006
Round
1
Time
2:40
Location
Portland, Oregon, United States
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
13–4 (1)
Opponent
Yoshihisa Yamamoto
Method
KO (slam)
Event
Pride 27
Date
February 1, 2004
Round
1
Time
0:40
Location
Osaka, Osaka, Japan
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
13–3 (1)
Opponent
Heath Herring
Method
TKO (knees)
Event
Pride 15
Date
July 29, 2001
Round
2
Time
4:56
Location
Saitama, Saitama, Japan
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
13–2 (1)
Opponent
Igor Vovchanchyn
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
Pride 12 - Cold Fury
Date
December 23, 2000
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Saitama, Saitama, Japan
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
13–1 (1)
Opponent
Igor Borisov
Method
Submission (can opener)
Event
Pride 10 - Return of the Warriors
Date
August 27, 2000
Round
1
Time
2:06
Location
Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
12–1 (1)
Opponent
Kazuyuki Fujita
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
Pride Grand Prix 2000 Finals
Date
May 1, 2000
Round
1
Time
15:00
Location
Tokyo, Japan
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
12–0 (1)
Opponent
Enson Inoue
Method
Decision (majority)
Event
Pride Grand Prix 2000 Opening Round
Date
January 30, 2000
Round
1
Time
15:00
Location
Tokyo, Japan
NC
NC
Res.
NC
Record
11–0 (1)
Opponent
Igor Vovchanchyn
Method
NC (illegal knees)
Event
Pride 7
Date
September 12, 1999
Round
2
Time
4:36
Location
Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Notes
Originally ruled a TKO loss; result later declared a no contest since knees to the head of a downed opponent were illegal at the time.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
11–0
Opponent
Nobuhiko Takada
Method
Submission (kimura)
Event
Pride 6
Date
July 4, 1999
Round
1
Time
3:04
Location
Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
10–0
Opponent
Hugo Duarte
Method
TKO (retirement)
Event
Pride 4
Date
October 11, 1998
Round
3
Time
2:32
Location
Tokyo, Japan
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
9–0
Opponent
Pedro Otavio
Method
Technical Submission (kimura)
Event
Pride 3
Date
June 24, 1998
Round
1
Time
2:13
Location
Tokyo, Japan
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
8–0
Opponent
Branko Cikatic
Method
DQ (rope grabbing)
Event
Pride 2
Date
March 15, 1998
Round
1
Time
2:14
Location
Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
7–0
Opponent
Dwayne Cason
Method
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Event
UFC 15
Date
October 17, 1997
Round
1
Time
0:53
Location
Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, United States
Notes
Won the UFC 15 Heavyweight Tournament.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
6–0
Opponent
Greg Stott
Method
KO (knee)
Event
1
Date
0:17
Round
UFC 15 Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
5–0
Opponent
Dan Bobish
Method
Submission (chin to the eye)
Event
UFC 14
Date
July 27, 1997
Round
1
Time
1:38
Location
Birmingham, Alabama, United States
Notes
Won the UFC 14 Heavyweight Tournament.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
4–0
Opponent
Moti Horenstein
Method
TKO (punches)
Event
1
Date
2:22
Round
UFC 14 Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
3–0
Opponent
Fabio Gurgel
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
World Vale Tudo Championship 3
Date
January 19, 1997
Round
1
Time
30:00
Location
São Paulo, Brazil
Notes
Won the WVC 3 Heavyweight Tournament.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
2–0
Opponent
Mestre Hulk
Method
DQ (crawling out of the ring)
Event
1
Date
2:21
Round
WVC 3 Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
1–0
Opponent
Paul Varelans
Method
TKO (knees and punches)
Event
1
Date
2:06
Round
WVC 3 Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Res.
Record
Opponent
Method
Event
Date
Round
Time
Location
Notes
Loss
15–11 (1)
Muhammed Lawal
TKO (punches)
M-1 Global: Breakthrough
August 28, 2009
1
0:25
Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Loss
15–10 (1)
Jeff Monson
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Vengeance FC
September 27, 2008
1
3:17
Concord, North Carolina, United States
Loss
15–9 (1)
Ralph Kelly
TKO (punches)
Xp3: The Proving Ground
July 26, 2008
1
4:11
Houston, Texas, United States
Loss
15–8 (1)
Tracy Willis
Submission (guillotine choke)
C-3 Fights: Contenders
June 7, 2008
1
0:45
Concho, Oklahoma, United States
Loss
15–7 (1)
Oleg Taktarov
Submission (kneebar)
YAMMA Pit Fighting
April 11, 2008
1
1:55
Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win
15–6 (1)
Chuck Huus
Submission (keylock)
CCCF: Battle on the Border
March 29, 2008
1
2:41
Newkirk, Oklahoma, United States
Win
14–6 (1)
Steve Gavin
Submission (armlock)
WCO: Kerr Vs. Gavin
November 7, 2007
1
1:39
Hollywood, California, United States
Loss
13–6 (1)
Mostapha al-Turk
TKO (submission to punches)
Cage Rage 20
February 10, 2007
1
2:29
London, England
Loss
13–5 (1)
Mike Whitehead
TKO (punches)
IFL: World Championship Semifinals
November 2, 2006
1
2:40
Portland, Oregon, United States
Loss
13–4 (1)
Yoshihisa Yamamoto
KO (slam)
Pride 27
February 1, 2004
1
0:40
Osaka, Osaka, Japan
Loss
13–3 (1)
Heath Herring
TKO (knees)
Pride 15
July 29, 2001
2
4:56
Saitama, Saitama, Japan
Loss
13–2 (1)
Igor Vovchanchyn
Decision (unanimous)
Pride 12 - Cold Fury
December 23, 2000
3
5:00
Saitama, Saitama, Japan
Win
13–1 (1)
Igor Borisov
Submission (can opener)
Pride 10 - Return of the Warriors
August 27, 2000
1
2:06
Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan
Loss
12–1 (1)
Kazuyuki Fujita
Decision (unanimous)
Pride Grand Prix 2000 Finals
May 1, 2000
1
15:00
Tokyo, Japan
Win
12–0 (1)
Enson Inoue
Decision (majority)
Pride Grand Prix 2000 Opening Round
January 30, 2000
1
15:00
Tokyo, Japan
NC
11–0 (1)
Igor Vovchanchyn
NC (illegal knees)
Pride 7
September 12, 1999
2
4:36
Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Originally ruled a TKO loss; result later declared a no contest since knees to the head of a downed opponent were illegal at the time.
Win
11–0
Nobuhiko Takada
Submission (kimura)
Pride 6
July 4, 1999
1
3:04
Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Win
10–0
Hugo Duarte
TKO (retirement)
Pride 4
October 11, 1998
3
2:32
Tokyo, Japan
Win
9–0
Pedro Otavio
Technical Submission (kimura)
Pride 3
June 24, 1998
1
2:13
Tokyo, Japan
Win
8–0
Branko Cikatic
DQ (rope grabbing)
Pride 2
March 15, 1998
1
2:14
Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Win
7–0
Dwayne Cason
Submission (rear-naked choke)
UFC 15
October 17, 1997
1
0:53
Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, United States
Won the UFC 15 Heavyweight Tournament.
Win
6–0
Greg Stott
KO (knee)
1
0:17
UFC 15 Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win
5–0
Dan Bobish
Submission (chin to the eye)
UFC 14
July 27, 1997
1
1:38
Birmingham, Alabama, United States
Won the UFC 14 Heavyweight Tournament.
Win
4–0
Moti Horenstein
TKO (punches)
1
2:22
UFC 14 Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win
3–0
Fabio Gurgel
Decision (unanimous)
World Vale Tudo Championship 3
January 19, 1997
1
30:00
São Paulo, Brazil
Won the WVC 3 Heavyweight Tournament.
Win
2–0
Mestre Hulk
DQ (crawling out of the ring)
1
2:21
WVC 3 Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win
1–0
Paul Varelans
TKO (knees and punches)
1
2:06
WVC 3 Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
· Submission wrestling record
Loss
Loss
Result
Loss
Opponent
Ricardo Arona
Event
ADCC 2003
Division
Superfight
Date
May 17, 2003
Location
São Paulo, Brazil
Notes
Lost the Superfight Championship
Win
Win
Result
Win
Opponent
Mário Sperry
Event
ADCC 2001
Division
Superfight
Date
April 11, 2001
Location
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Notes
Won the Superfight Championship
Win
Win
Result
Win
Opponent
Sean Alvarez
Event
ADCC 2000
Division
Absolute
Date
March 1, 2000
Location
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Notes
Final, won absolute division
Win
Win
Result
Win
Opponent
Ricardo Almeida
Event
Semi-final
Win
Win
Result
Win
Opponent
Mike van Arsdale
Event
Quarter-final
Win
Win
Result
Win
Opponent
Léo Vieira
Event
First round
Win
Win
Result
Win
Opponent
Ricco Rodriguez
Event
+99 kg
Division
Final, won +99 kg division
Win
Win
Result
Win
Opponent
Rigan Machado
Event
Semi-final
Win
Win
Result
Win
Opponent
Anthony Netzler
Event
Quarter-final
Win
Win
Result
Win
Opponent
Josh Barnett
Event
First round
Win
Win
Result
Win
Opponent
Sean Alvarez
Event
ADCC 1999
Division
+99 kg
Date
February 24, 1999
Location
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Notes
Final, won +99 kg division
Win
Win
Result
Win
Opponent
Chris Haseman
Event
Semi-final
Win
Win
Result
Win
Opponent
Josh Barnett
Event
Quarter-final
Win
Win
Result
Win
Opponent
Carlos Barreto
Event
First round
Result
Opponent
Event
Division
Date
Location
Notes
Ref
Loss
Ricardo Arona
ADCC 2003
Superfight
May 17, 2003
São Paulo, Brazil
Lost the Superfight Championship
Win
Mário Sperry
ADCC 2001
Superfight
April 11, 2001
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Won the Superfight Championship
Win
Sean Alvarez
ADCC 2000
Absolute
March 1, 2000
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Final, won absolute division
Win
Ricardo Almeida
Semi-final
Win
Mike van Arsdale
Quarter-final
Win
Léo Vieira
First round
Win
Ricco Rodriguez
+99 kg
Final, won +99 kg division
Win
Rigan Machado
Semi-final
Win
Anthony Netzler
Quarter-final
Win
Josh Barnett
First round
Win
Sean Alvarez
ADCC 1999
+99 kg
February 24, 1999
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Final, won +99 kg division
Win
Chris Haseman
Semi-final
Win
Josh Barnett
Quarter-final
Win
Carlos Barreto
First round
· External links
Preceded byRandy Couture
UFC 14 Heavyweight tournament winnerUFC 15 Heavyweight tournament winner March 13, 1997October 17, 1997
Succeeded byKazushi Sakuraba

References

  1. "Fight Finder: Mark Kerr"
    http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?fighterID=71
  2. whatsmat.uww.org
    https://whatsmat.uww.org/daten.php?spid=D4E47FF71F0A4C2D8C87B6DFA9561241
  3. adcombat.com
    https://adcombat.com/adcc-events/adcc-1999-results/
  4. adcombat.com
    https://adcombat.com/adcc-events/adcc-2000-results/
  5. adcombat.com
    https://adcombat.com/adcc-events/adcc-2001-results/
  6. 62nd NCAA Wrestling Tournament 3/19/1992 to 3/21/1992 at Oklahoma City. wrestlingstats.com
    http://www.wrestlingstats.com/ncaa/pdf/brackets/NCAA%201992.pdf
  7. wrestlingstats.com
    http://www.wrestlingstats.com/eiwa/pdf/brackets/EIWA%201989.pdf
  8. wrestlingstats.com
    http://www.wrestlingstats.com/eiwa/pdf/brackets/EIWA%201991.pdf
  9. wrestlingstats.com
    http://www.wrestlingstats.com/eiwa/pdf/brackets/EIWA%201992.pdf
  10. wrestlingstats.com
    http://www.wrestlingstats.com/eiwa/pdf/brackets/EIWA%201988.pdf
  11. Variety
    https://variety.com/2025/film/trailers/smashing-machine-trailer-dwayne-johnson-a24-1236071667/
  12. Combat Sports: An Encyclopedia of Wrestling, Fighting, and Mixed Martial Arts
    https://books.google.com/books?id=LmhFCQAAQBAJ&q=mark+kerr+born+in+toledo&pg=PA169
  13. legacy.com
    http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/toledoblade/obituary.aspx?n=thomas-v-kerr&pid=95305311&fhid=5503
  14. Sports Illustrated
    https://www.si.com/mma/2015/05/21/mark-kerr-former-mma-champ-reflects-on-career-future
  15. Half century of Waite wrestling comes to sudden halt Archived 2017-04-20 at the Wayback Machine. Presspublications.com (
    http://www.presspublications.com/sports/37-sports/6109-half-century-of-waite-wrestling-comes-to-sudden-halt
  16. Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association
    https://www.eiwawrestling.org/HOF/Hall_of_Fame/Kerr_Mark
  17. wrestlingclassics.com
    http://wrestlingclassics.com/cgi-bin/.ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=9;t=046432;p=0
  18. Jonathan Snowden, Total Mma: Inside Ultimate Fighting
  19. Jeremy Wall, UFC's Ultimate Warriors: The Top 10
  20. Bret Aita, Erich Krauss, Brawl: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Mixed Martial Arts Competition
  21. Vale Tudo Relics: The Birth of The Smashing Machine
    https://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/Vale-Tudo-Relics-The-Birth-of-The-Smashing-Machine-87723
  22. The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr
  23. Pride: The Secret Files
  24. Mark Coleman Interview – Bottom Line: I can still fight. Heavy.com (2010-02-01). Retrieved on 2012-06-17.
    http://www.heavy.com/mma/2010/02/mark-coleman-bottom-line-i-can-still-fight/
  25. "Kerr & Dewees Off Of Tonight's GFC Event"
    http://mmaweekly.com/kerr-dewees-off-of-tonights-gfc-event
  26. YouTube
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7c6D1GPD4w?t=301
  27. "Fight Finder – Mark "The Smashing Machine" Kerr's Mixed Martial Arts Statistics"
    http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Mark-Kerr-71
  28. "Mark Kerr Headed to UFC Hall of Fame, Class of 2025"
    https://cagesidepress.com/2025/06/07/mark-kerr-headed-to-ufc-hall-of-fame-class-of-2025/
  29. Tapology
    https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/74225-1999-adcc-world-championships
  30. adcombat.com
    https://adcombat.com/adcc-events/adcc-2003-results/
  31. "Mark Kerr Becomes Second American in ADCC Hall of Fame"
    https://jitsmagazine.com/mark-kerr-becomes-second-american-in-adcc-hall-of-fame/
  32. adcombat.com
    https://adcombat.com/adcc-hall-of-fame/
  33. The Hollywood Reporter
    https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/dwayne-johnson-mark-kerr-a24-benny-safdie-1235752777/
  34. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/apr/29/smashing-machine-dwayne-rock-johnson-movie
  35. Esquire Australia
    https://www.esquire.com.au/culture/dwayne-johnson-mark-kerr-movie/
  36. Sherdog.com – Pride and Glory: Postscript Sherdog.com
    http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/9/Pride-and-Glory-25240
  37. Intermat
    https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/college/gofundme-for-former-wrestler-mma-champ-mark-kerr-r86760/
  38. Sherdog
    https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Dwayne-Johnson-Announces-Film-About-the-Life-of-Mark-Kerr-164849
  39. espn.com
    https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/45472232/mark-kerr-makes-ufc-hall-fame-rock-induct-him
  40. UFC Encyclopedia - The Definitive Guide to the Ultimate Fighting Championship
  41. UFC Encyclopedia - The Definitive Guide to the Ultimate Fighting Championship
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