Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has wrestled giants in WWE, starred in blockbuster films, and trained his body to superhuman levels. But when it came to stepping into the ring with Oleksandr Usyk, the reigning undisputed heavyweight boxing champion, he admitted there was one chilling moment that made him think: “I’m going to hospital.”

The Rock’s revelation came while filming The Smashing Machine, a biopic about MMA legend Mark Kerr, in which Johnson stars opposite Emily Blunt. The film tells the highs and lows of Kerr’s turbulent fighting career, and to ensure authenticity, director Benny Safdie made a bold choice: no stunt doubles. That meant The Rock had to spar for real with the Ukrainian boxing great—something he will never forget.

The Rock Had to Spar Usyk for Real in The Smashing Machine

Unlike many Hollywood productions where stunt doubles perform the heavy lifting in fight sequences, Safdie demanded raw realism. For Johnson, this meant facing off with the man who dethroned Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury—Oleksandr Usyk.

The Rock recalled in an interview:

“Benny didn’t want to cut away, he said: ‘I know you have great stunt doubles but I’d like to only use you.’ Which meant I had to mix it up with these guys and get my a** kicked.”

When filming the fight scene with Usyk, Johnson quickly realized this wasn’t going to be choreographed theater. He described the very first moment they locked up:

“The first time I lock up with Usyk, we are full on locking up and we went through the whole fight scene. I knew then, when I locked up with him and I felt his embrace in this lock up. I knew this is a bad dude.”

The Shift That Shocked The Rock

What stunned Johnson the most wasn’t Usyk’s personality—he praised him as warm and respectful outside the ring—it was how quickly the Ukrainian champion transformed once they began sparring.

“Usyk can be a little deceptive, just how he looks. But when he locks up, that deception becomes reality because I’m like ‘oh this is a bad guy.’”

For someone like The Rock, who has faced legends in the WWE and trained alongside world-class athletes, feeling overwhelmed by an opponent says everything about Usyk’s aura.

The Rock Felt Usyk’s Power and Speed Immediately

It wasn’t just the lock-up that left Johnson shaken. It was Usyk’s physical presence and blistering hand speed.

“You could feel it in his legs and in his base, and then we start sparring at the top of our fight. Couple of jabs out there and he is so fast, and you know if one of these punches slips… I’m going to hospital!”

For a man who added 30 pounds of muscle for the role at age 53, The Rock is still incredibly athletic. Yet he admitted he had no answer for Usyk’s ability to generate speed and power from every movement.

Why Oleksandr Usyk is So Dangerous

Usyk’s reputation in combat sports is unmatched. He is the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, with career-defining victories over Anthony Joshua (twice) and Tyson Fury. Many analysts now consider him the best pound-for-pound boxer alive.

Known for his tactical brilliance, footwork, and deceptive power, Usyk is often underestimated due to his unassuming demeanor outside the ring. But once the bell rings, his intensity and technical mastery overwhelm even the biggest opponents.

For The Rock, experiencing that first-hand was both humbling and terrifying.

Behind the Scenes: Usyk’s Love for Cake

Despite his intimidating presence in the ring, Usyk also brought humor and humanity to the set. The Rock and Emily Blunt both recalled how much Usyk adored cake—so much so that it became a running joke during filming.

Blunt revealed:

“He wanted to eat it all the time. The PA was like, ‘Alex, we need to get the fake sweat on you again’ and he hated the fake sweat. So she said, ‘If I get you some cake, will you do it?’ And he goes, ‘Yes.’ Then they would get him some cake.”

This small anecdote showed a lighter side of the Ukrainian champion—someone who can demolish world-class boxers but also has a childlike joy when it comes to dessert.

What The Smashing Machine is About

The film itself is centered on the life of Mark Kerr, a wrestling prodigy who transitioned into MMA during its formative years. Kerr earned the nickname “The Smashing Machine” for his brutal dominance in the ring.

MMA Debut: Kerr first fought in Brazil at the World Vale Tudo Championship in 1997, instantly establishing himself as a dangerous force.

UFC Run: He debuted in the UFC at UFC 14, winning, and then returned at UFC 15 for another victory before moving to Pride Fighting Championships in Japan.

First “Loss”: In 1999, he faced Igor Vovchanchyn, who was declared the winner before the bout was later ruled a no contest. In The Smashing Machine, Usyk portrays Vovchanchyn, adding realism to the story.

Kerr’s career was filled with highs and devastating lows, including struggles outside the ring. In 2025, he was finally recognized for his contributions when he was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame Pioneer Wing, with UFC CEO Dana White praising him as one of the sport’s true trailblazers.

Why Casting Usyk Was a Brilliant Move

Casting Oleksandr Usyk as Igor Vovchanchyn wasn’t just a cameo; it was a stroke of genius. Usyk not only brought authenticity to the fight sequences but also embodied the same intimidating presence Vovchanchyn had in the late 1990s.

The Rock admitted that working with Usyk elevated the realism of the film:

“When you’re working opposite a guy like him, you feel everything. His presence, his power, his speed—it’s all real. And that makes for a much more intense movie.”

The Rock’s Respect for Usyk

Despite joking about ending up in the hospital, Johnson had nothing but admiration for Usyk’s abilities and character. He highlighted how rare it is to meet someone who can be both frightening in competition yet humble and down-to-earth away from it.

“He’s just an incredible athlete, one of the best in the world, and also such a good human being. I was honored to share the screen and the ring with him.”

The Rock’s Reality Check

For Dwayne Johnson, who has spent decades building his reputation as one of the toughest men in entertainment and sports, sparring with Usyk provided a new kind of reality check. It was a reminder that when it comes to elite-level combat sports, there’s no substitute for true fighting pedigree.

His words, “I’m going to hospital,” may have been half-joking, but they highlight just how awe-inspiring—and intimidating—Oleksandr Usyk truly is.

With The Smashing Machine set to release soon, fans will not only witness the story of Mark Kerr but also get a rare chance to see two global icons—The Rock and Oleksandr Usyk—collide in a way no one expected.