The Smashing Machine

The film opens with an interview where Kerr discusses his rise in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and the fame that followed. He reflects on the high of victory and the mounting pressure to perform. The interviewer sets up a portrait of a fighter wrestling with glory and its costs.

Back in 1999, Kerr is at home with his girlfriend Dawn, and their relationship is strained. He lightly scolds her for messing up a bulking shake, then apologizes as the couple tries to hide the friction beneath the surface. He heads into fight prep with Coach Coleman looming as his mentor, while money matters begin to weigh on him.

Kerr trains under coach Mark Coleman, but his days are shadowed by drug use that spirals between sessions. He also navigates pay negotiations with Japanese officials, hinting at stress beyond the gym. The combination of sport, fame, and money creates a volatile mix that affects his focus.

In a locker room after a devastating loss, Kerr is visibly under the influence and lashes out at Dawn. The pain of defeat overwhelms him as he sits apart, sobbing quietly. The moment marks a turning point as his personal and professional worlds start to fracture.

Back home, the strain of his life reaches a breaking point and his relationship with Dawn collapses. He overdoses the next morning, a wake-up call that shakes his world.

Coleman visits Kerr and urges him to change, insisting he needs help. Kerr agrees to pursue rehab, recognizing that his career and life depend on it. The decision tests his relationship with Dawn as he starts the process.

The rehab process strains Kerr's relationship with Dawn, who ultimately leaves him. Feeling the need to rebuild, Kerr travels to train with Bas Rutten at his camp. This move marks a shift from personal turmoil to renewed athletic focus.

Under Bas Rutten's coaching, Kerr regains peak physical form and discipline. He earns his first post rehab victory, signaling a credible comeback. The win reinforces his commitment to both the sport and his relationship challenges.

Kerr and Dawn briefly reconcile, a moment that delights Bas but complicates Kerr's commitments. Choosing love over routine, Kerr leaves Bas Rutten's camp to be with her. The decision foreshadows further personal turmoil.

A later falling out over Dawn's hedonistic habits drives a wedge between them. Kerr ultimately breaks up with Dawn and asks her to leave. The breakup intensifies the emotional strain that will shape future fights.

Distraught by the separation, Dawn makes a suicide attempt. She is placed into care as Kerr watches the consequences of their fractured relationship. The event marks a turning point in both of their lives.

During a fight in Japan, Kerr is overwhelmed by flashbacks of Dawn and other memories. He fights distracted, and the bout ends in a brutal defeat. The loss underscores how personal turmoil bleeds into professional performance.

The 2000 Pride Grand Prix culminates with Coleman claiming the title as Kerr receives stitches from the fight. The moment stands as a stark contrast to Kerr's earlier comeback arc. It is revealed that Kerr and Dawn married 11 days after his Pride Grand Prix loss.

The film cuts to a shower sequence where Kerr smiles and laughs, a rare moment of peace. It then shifts to the present day, showing him shopping at a grocery store and living a life away from the spotlight. The ending frames his retirement and his status as a MMA pioneer.

Kerr retires from competition in 2009, stepping away from the sport he helped to shape. Today he remains largely unknown to casual fans, but is remembered as one of the pioneers who helped define MMA. His life on screen paints a portrait of fame, fall, and lasting influence.