Oleksandr Usyk to star in Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s upcoming MMA movie as legendary Ukrainian kickboxer
Lights. Camera. Action. Oleksandr Usyk will ditch the boxing gloves for the red carpet next year when he stars alongside Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt in the upcoming MMA movie, ‘The Smashing Machine’.
‘The Cat’ is one of several combat sports icons who are set to feature in the upcoming A24 film – with the heavyweight boxer expected to get some major screen time as he portrays a legendary Ukrainian kickboxer.
Oleksandr Usyk to star in The Rock’s upcoming combat sports movie
We’re now just a few days away from one of the biggest rematches in heavyweight boxing history; and if Tyson Fury can equal the score at 1-1 against Oleksandr Usyk, you better believe that the trilogy showdown will be booked for 2025.
It’s already going to be a big year for the popular Ukrainian, who is also set to feature as a main character in ‘The Smashing Machine’ – a biographical sports movie that tells the story of American MMA legend, Mark Kerr.
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson will star as Kerr with Academy Award nominee Emily Blunt playing his then-partner Dawn Staples – the movie is helmed by ‘Uncut Gems’ director Benny Safdie.
Usyk will feature as one of the main ‘antagonists’ of the movie, former world champion kickboxer and 68-fight MMA veteran, Igor ‘Ice Cold’ Vovchanchyn.
The Ukrainian fought Kerr at PRIDE 7 in Japan in 1999 and then again at PRIDE 12 in 2000; we won’t reveal the results of those two bouts, as their rivalry is expected to be a key storyline in the film.
MMA icons Bas Rutten and current Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader will also appear.
Filming took the team to various locations around the world, including Vancouver, Los Angeles, New Mexico and of course, Tokyo – production officially wrapped on August 7, 2024.
A specific release date for ‘The Smashing Machine’ ft. Johnson, Blunt, and Usyk has not yet been officially revealed by A24 but is sure to be one of the best sports films of the year.
Boxing experts past and present share prediction for Tyson Fury rematch
Oleksandr Usyk faces Tyson Fury for the second time on Saturday, December 21 at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
As fans prepare themselves for what should be another outstanding heavyweight showdown, boxing experts from around the world are sharing their predictions – and if it wasn’t obvious already, the combat sports community is torn.
Mike Tyson claimed that whilst Usyk is indeed “the best heavyweight in the world,” he’s still siding with the Brit as “his father gave him my name, I’m not abandoning him now.”
Lennox Lewis and Anthony Joshua were both in firm agreement that if the rematch simply comes down to boxing prowess, it’s Oleksandr Usyk all the way.
Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn revealed that his “heart says Tyson Fury, my head says Oleksandr Usyk,” as he sided with ‘The Gypsy King’ to equal the score at one apiece.
The same sentiment was echoed by Daniel Dubois, who stated that he’s backing Fury in the hopes of securing an all-British showdown for undisputed glory.
Michael Moorer, Joseph Parker, and Oscar De La Hoya also offered their predictions.
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