Few names in mixed martial arts command the rugged respect that Don Frye does. A true pioneer in the sport, his raw honesty and grizzled character have earned him a cult following among veteran fans. This week, however, Frye has stirred the pot in an utterly unexpected way. After a previous interview surfaced in which he appeared to take a hard blow at both Dwayne Johnson and fellow MMA great Mark Kerr, Frye seems to have abruptly changed his tone, and fans are attempting to make sense of it all.

The controversy originates from a two-year-old video, now making rounds online, in which Frye brutally attacked Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson for playing Kerr in The Smashing Machine, calling him “a dumb—“ and saying he “should pick somebody better to represent.” The statement, delivered in Frye’s usual harsh tone, sparked speculation that these titans had a long history of feuding. However, the truth behind that event was not as simple as it appeared.

In a new video on his Instagram, Don Frye finally addressed the storm, this time with clarity that paints the old clip of him in a different light. “A buddy of mine told me that recently I’ve been trending pretty damn good on the internet,” Frye started, speaking directly to the camera. “Two years ago, I did an interview with somebody out in my barn. I was in between back surgeries, and I was on a lot of pain pills. And I bad-mouthed Kerr, and I bad-mouthed The Rock.”

The following is a candid, almost vulnerable admission. Frye claims he recently attended an autograph signing with Mark Kerr and came away with nothing but admiration for the man. And all that he said in the past? Nothing but the pain killers talking. “I recently did an autograph signing with Mark Kerr, and he’s a hell of a guy,” he said. “He’s a stand-up guy, number one. Dwayne Johnson, The Rock—I met him once, about 25 years ago. He’s solid, too.”

In a touching moment, Frye added, “When it comes to my town, I’ll be one of the first ones in line to buy a ticket to see it. I wish them the best of luck.” It’s a 180-degree pivot—more of a redemption arc than a retraction. Frye even acknowledged his close friend Bas Rutten, who appears in the film, adding, “Can’t go wrong with anything Bas does.”

As if to emphasize the spirit of reconciliation, MMA star Mark Coleman also spoke up. Coleman commented on Frye’s video, saying, “You are all Great guys the hell with it enjoy life cause it’s so good ❤️💪🏼👊🙏🤴🏼🏆.” Coleman’s comment surely served as a reminder that, despite rivalries and rough edges, the MMA community nonetheless looks out for its own, especially when life gets heavy and complicated.

The Smashing Machine, which is due to be released by A24 on October 3, 2025, has already generated excitement for its honest representation of Kerr’s life and Dwayne Johnson’s commitment to the character. But now it has more depth—a real-life plotline of misunderstanding, pain, and eventual respect. In fact, it has been earning praise from MMA veterans already.

MMA veterans are all praise for The Smashing Machine

Even before Don Frye’s apology reshaped the headlines, the MMA world was abuzz—this time, not over controversy or callouts, but about The Smashing Machine. Long before Frye’s outreach and Coleman’s kind response, other MMA veterans had expressed love for Dwayne Johnson’s portrayal of Mark Kerr. With a strong trailer and the promise of real storytelling, the picture began to gain respect from those who knew Kerr best, not only for its looks but also for the emotional weight it carried.

UFC CEO Dana White, a longtime friend of Johnson’s and a personal witness to Kerr’s era in MMA, gave it his stamp of approval. “He’s taken this very seriously,” White added, describing it as a passion project and implying that it could be Johnson’s ticket to Oscar glory. His statements were more than just friendly fluff; when White throws his complete support behind something, especially one so close to MMA’s roots, it carries weight.

The Rock, who is known for playing invincible titans, has decided to play a man who broke not only bones, but nearly broke himself under strain. Johnson’s efforts didn’t go unnoticed by others who have entered the cage themselves. Ryan Bader, who plays Mark Coleman in the film, applauded Johnson’s determination to master the foundations of MMA at an age when most people would avoid the physical demands. “His dedication… is commendable,” Bader said, visibly impressed.

Then came Coleman, who looked truly moved after seeing the trailer. “The whole thing is just pretty damn cool,” he said, reflecting on how a rough-and-tumble life shared with Kerr is now being immortalized on the big screen. This is more than just a film for the MMA world; it’s a tribute, a memory, and possibly a long-overdue celebration of a legend and the brutal beauty of his time. What do you think? Will the movie be a box office success? Will Johnson make a good Kerr? Let us know in the comments!