Dana White has shared his verdict on Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s MMA movie.
The UFC CEO doesn’t usually like it when Hollywood uses his sport on the silver screen.
However, Dana White had nothing but praise after watching The Smashing Machine, which sees Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson portray former UFC heavyweight champion Mark Kerr at the height of his combat sports career.
MMA’s most powerful man believes The Rock and his co-star, Emily Blunt, both deserve an Oscar for their performances in the film, which is set to be theatrically released on October 3.
- LATEST NEWS: Dana White unveils stunning first look at the UFC’s White House event featuring his layout plans
Dana White reviews The Smashing Machine
“So, The Rock flew out to Vegas and showed it to me first, and it’s unbelievable,” White told Mario Lopez on ‘Access Hollywood.’
“Now, what happens is a lot of times these guys that make fight movies want me to see the fight movies. And they come and they screen them for me, and I don’t like ’em. There’s nothing worse than sitting there with a guy who wrote, produced, and directed this movie and going, ‘So, what do you think?'”
“There’s a scene in there with (Johnson) and Emily Blunt, and I think they should both win an Oscar based off this one scene.”
“The movie is incredible, I’m happy for him. He’s finally gonna get the credit for his acting skills.
Everybody in this movie does a great job. And believe me when I tell you, I’m not here to sell The Smashing Machine. You know, I tell you straight up, I don’t like a lot of the fight movies.
“This is a great movie and everybody involved, including the director, who is obviously getting a ton of shine and buzz off this movie, but he also directed the Adam Sandler movie that many people thought should have won an Oscar, too.”
Dwayne Johnson’s emotional reaction at movie premiere
Dwayne Johnson broke down in tears at the end of The Smashing Machine premiere earlier this month.
As the credits rolled for the movie’s first official showing, the star-studded cast received a 15-minute standing ovation from those in attendance.
Director Benny Safdie also cried as the crowd applauded at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival.
MMA fans are now impatiently waiting to see if The Rock’s fight film delivers after a year of hype.