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 film, 'The Smashing Machine'.
'The Cat' is one of several martial arts icons set to feature in the upcoming A24 film – with the heavyweight boxer expected to get plenty of screen time as he portrays a legendary Ukrainian kickboxer.
Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
Oleksandr Usyk will star in The Rock's upcoming martial arts film
We are now just days away from one of the biggest rematches in heavyweight boxing history; and if Tyson Fury can even the score at 1-1 against Oleksandr Usyk, you better believe the trilogy match will be booked for 2025.
It's already shaping up to be a big year for the popular Ukrainian, who will also be the main character in 'The Smashing Machine' – a biographical sports film that tells the story of American MMA legend Mark Kerr.
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson will star as Kerr, while Academy Award nominee Emily Blunt will play his then-partner Dawn Staples – the film will be directed by 'Uncut Gems' director Benny Safdie.
Usyk will be one of the film's main 'antagonists', 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 will not reveal the results of these two fights as their rivalry is expected to be a major storyline in the film.
MMA icons Bas Rutten and current Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader will also make appearances.
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 unveiled by A24, but it will certainly be one of the best sports films of the year.
Boxing experts past and present share prediction for Tyson Fury's rematch
Oleksandr Usyk will face Tyson Fury for the second time on Saturday, December 21 at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
As fans prepare for what should be another remarkable heavyweight showdown, boxing experts from around the world are sharing their predictions – and if it wasn't already clear, the combat sports community is torn.
Mike Tyson claimed that while Usyk is indeed “the best heavyweight in the world,” he still sides with the Brit because “his daddy gave him my name, I'm not letting him down now.”
Lennox Lewis and Anthony Joshua both agreed that if the rematch simply comes down to boxing skill, it's all Oleksandr Usyk.
Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn revealed his “heart says Tyson Fury, my head says Oleksandr Usyk” as he sided with 'The Gypsy King' to even the score at one apiece.
The same sentiment was echoed by Daniel Dubois, who stated that he is backing Fury in the hope of securing an all-British showdown for undisputed glory.
Michael Moorer, Joseph Parker and Oscar De La Hoya also announced their predictions.
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