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6d ago

Mark Coleman Uses ‘The Smashing Machine’ Biopic to Champion Sobriety Ahead of October Release

In interviews coinciding with Mark Kerr’s UFC Hall of Fame induction, Coleman casts his personal journey as a call to action for millions facing addiction.

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Overview

  • Mark Coleman celebrated Mark Kerr’s recent induction into the UFC Hall of Fame by referring to them as “sober brothers” and crediting Kerr’s eight years of sobriety for inspiring his own recovery.
  • In exclusive August interviews, Coleman urged the estimated 28.9 million Americans with alcohol use disorder to seek help immediately, saying his faith helped remove his obsession to drink.
  • The former UFC heavyweight champion described overcoming addiction as the “toughest fight of my life” during media appearances at UFC X’s radio row and on MMA Fighting SBN.
  • Ryan Bader secured the role of Coleman via a surprise FaceTime Zoom audition orchestrated by producer Benny Safdie, while Dwayne Johnson trained with MMA professionals to film authentic fight sequences.
  • Produced by Johnson and A24 on a $40 million budget, The Smashing Machine is set to premiere on October 3, 2025, marking Benny Safdie’s feature directorial debut and Johnson’s shift toward character-driven drama.