Former mixed martial artist Mark Kerr, known as The Smashing Machine, has made a lasting impact on the sport. His career has been nothing short of legendary, and during the peak of it, he met his now ex-wife, Dawn Staples. Here’s everything you need to know about her.
Who is Mark Kerr?
Born on December 21, 1968, in Toledo, Ohio, Mark Kerr had a brief wrestling career before making the move to MMA in 1997. He made his debut at the World Vale Tudo Championship and went on to become a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion. Kerr also competed in PRIDE FC, where he cemented his reputation as one of the sport’s most iconic fighters.
Receiving the nickname “The Smashing Machine” for his unique fighting style, Kerr’s life and career were the subject of an HBO documentary in 2002 that chronicled his rise to fame while battling addiction. He eventually retired from MMA in 2009, and has since been suffering from peripheral neuropathy, seeking treatment through a GoFundMe campaign.
Who is Mark Kerr’s ex-wife, Dawn Staples?
Three years into his MMA career, Kerr married former Playboy model Dawn Staples, an alumna of Phoenix College. Following her modeling career, Staples transitioned to work as a real estate investor and now operates as an interior decorator at Final Touches by Design, based in Phoenix, Arizona.
Staples and Kerr share a college-aged son named Bryce, while the details of their separation remain private. Kerr has since moved on and re-married fitness consulter Franci Alberding.
What is the movie The Smashing Machine about?
A24 announced a movie based on Mark Kerr’s life, titled The Smashing Machine, starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as Mark Kerr. The film recounts Kerr’s journey as an MMA fighter, focusing on his struggles with addiction, love, and friendship during the peak of his career in 2000.
Directed by Benny Safdie, The Smashing Machine is set to be a dramatic and deeply compelling project for Johnson. The film aims to capture the electrifying story of a legendary fighter and his triumphs and hardships both in and out of the cage.
