Unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk is ready for his close-up. The Ukrainian boxer will reportedly play the role of Igor Vovchanchyn in the upcoming film, The Smashing Machine. Vovchanchyn is a legendary figure in mixed martial arts who finished his 10-year career with a professional record of 55-10 with one match ending in a no contest.
Usyk will star alongside Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who will play the role of Mark Kerr. Vovchanchyn initially handed Kerr the first loss of his professional career, but the match was later ruled a no contest due to the illegal use of knees to the head. After his match with Vovchanchyn, he would go on to loss 11 of his next 15 matches. Prior to his downward turn, Kerr was an NCAA Division I wrestling champion, two-time UFC champion and World Cup freestyle wrestling gold medalist. Along the way, he kickstarted an MMA career that began with 11 straight victories with 10 coming by way of submission or knockout. Ultimately, his career was derailed due to substance abuse issues and various injuries.
The Smashing Machine will take a look at the rise and fall of Kerr as he navigates love, friendship, addiction and much more in the early days of commercialized mixed martial arts. The film stars Johnson, Usyk and Emily Blunt with Benny Safdie directing and A24 producing.
