LAS VEGAS — The UFC has officially announced that two-time heavyweight tournament winner Mark Kerr will be inducted into the 2025 UFC Hall of Fame as part of the Pioneer Era Wing. The honor will be awarded during the 13th Annual UFC International Fight Week, with the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony set for Thursday, June 26, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The event will stream live on UFC FIGHT PASS®.
“Mark Kerr was a high-level wrestler who also fought for PRIDE and was one of the early pioneers of the sport,” said UFC President and CEO Dana White.
Kerr becomes the 21st inductee into the Pioneer Era Wing, which recognizes athletes who began their professional careers before the adoption of unified MMA rules on November 17, 2000, and are either over 35 years old or retired for at least a year.
A Career of Firsts and Fierce Finishes
Over a 12-year career, Kerr amassed a record of 15-11, 1 NC with ten victories under the UFC and PRIDE banners. He defeated notable opponents such as Dan Bobish, Branko Cikatic, and Enson Inoue across various top promotions.
Kerr’s MMA journey began on January 19, 1997, at World Vale Tudo Championship 3, where he won three first-round finishes to claim the tournament title. Six months later, he debuted in the UFC at UFC 14: SHOWDOWN, winning both tournament fights with ease.
Kerr returned at UFC 15: COLLISION COURSE, where he defeated Greg Stott and Dwayne Cason in a combined 70 seconds, making him one of only five fighters in history to win multiple UFC tournaments—a group that includes legends Royce Gracie, Mark Coleman, Dan Severn, and Don Frye.
Dominance in PRIDE and “The Smashing Machine”
After leaving the UFC, Kerr competed in PRIDE Fighting Championships in Japan, where his aggressive style earned him the nickname “The Smashing Machine.” He won six of his first eight bouts in PRIDE before rounding out his MMA career across global promotions, retiring in 2009.
Beyond the Cage: Documentaries and Dwayne Johnson
Kerr’s life and career were featured in the critically acclaimed HBO documentary “The Smashing Machine,” offering a raw look into the challenges of elite MMA competition. That story will soon hit the big screen, with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson portraying Kerr in a new A24 feature film set for release on October 3, 2025.
Wrestling Roots and Global Grappling Success
A native of Toledo, Ohio, Kerr began his wrestling career in high school and became an Ohio Division I state champion in 1986. He later competed for Syracuse University, earning All-America honors and winning the 1992 NCAA Division I National Championship.
Post-college, Kerr excelled internationally in freestyle wrestling, capturing gold and silver medals at the United World Wrestling World Cup and the Pan American Games, and winning the USA Wrestling World Team Trials in 1993 and 1994.
In the grappling world, Kerr dominated the ADCC Submission Fighting Championship, winning gold in 1999, 2000, and 2001, defeating future UFC champions Josh Barnett and Ricco Rodriguez. In 2022, he was inducted into the inaugural ADCC Hall of Fame.
With achievements spanning wrestling, MMA, and grappling—and a new film about his life—Mark Kerr’s Hall of Fame induction is more than overdue. His legacy as a pioneer, champion, and fearless competitor continues to influence the sport to this day.
Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Executive Writer, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a passion for Combat Sports and also a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s also a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.
Discover more from FightBook MMA
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
