- The Smashing Machine streams on STARZPLAY from 1 December 2025 across MENA.
- Announcement made during UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi on 25 October 2025.
- Stars Dwayne Johnson as MMA legend Mark Kerr; Emily Blunt co-stars as Dawn Staples.
- Directed by Benny Safdie; based on true events from early UFC.
- Timed to the UAE’s 54th National Day weekend.
StarzPlay has confirmed an exclusive MENA premiere for The Smashing Machine on 1 December 2025, landing on the UAE National Day weekend. The film follows UFC pioneer Mark Kerr through peak career highs and the fallout outside the cage.
Dwayne Johnson plays Kerr in a stripped-back, dramatic role, with Emily Blunt as Dawn Staples. The announcement went live during UFC 321 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on 25 October 2025, underlining STARZPLAY’s push around combat sports and streaming in the region.
What’s been announced
STARZPLAY will stream The Smashing Machine exclusively across MENA from 1 December 2025. The reveal happened during the live UFC 321 broadcast in Abu Dhabi.
- Platform: STARZPLAY (exclusive MENA premiere)
- Date: 1 December 2025
- Occasion: UAE National Day weekend
- Reveal: During UFC 321 at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi (25 Oct 2025)
This drop gives STARZPLAY a headline film right as the UAE heads into a long weekend, and it ties the title to a live MMA moment many regional fans were already watching. For related coverage, see our UFC 321 Abu Dhabi preview for the UAE audience.
The story: Mark Kerr beyond the cage
The film follows Mark Kerr, a dominant force in the UFC’s early days, and focuses on what happened away from the spotlight.
- Subject: Mark Kerr, early-era UFC champion
- Theme: Addiction, physical damage, cost of fame
- Personal thread: Relationship strain with Dawn Staples
- Tone: Raw, personal, unvarnished
The brief frames the movie as a character study as much as a sports film. Expect training rooms, yes, but also the harder personal realities of being human while famous. The arc deals with the split between public victory and private collapse.
Cast and crew: what’s notable
A tight principal cast and a director known for edge-of-the-seat drama point to a serious, performance-heavy film.
- Mark Kerr: Dwayne Johnson
- Dawn Staples: Emily Blunt
- Director: Benny Safdie
- Approach: Grounded, character-first, based on true events
Johnson is positioned here in a different gear: less swagger, more fracture. With Blunt as the counterweight and Safdie steering, the setup aims for tension without glossy padding. If you’ve only seen Johnson in franchise mode, this should feel like a sharp left turn. For a refresher on his franchise work, here’s our Fast & Furious timeline piece.
Why the UAE timing matters
Dropping on 1 December aligns with the UAE’s 54th National Day weekend, when many people are at home and streaming.
- Local moment: Long weekend viewing window
- Audience fit: UFC fans already primed from Abu Dhabi’s card
- Discovery: Fresh title for December watchlists across MENA
- Platform strategy: Keeps STARZPLAY in the conversation
The National Day window is a simple, practical programming move. It keeps the title in front of a large, engaged audience and continues STARZPLAY’s habit of pairing film drops with regional sports beats. For more on the platform’s line-up, see our what’s new on STARZPLAY round-up.
What this says about STARZPLAY’s strategy
The announcement rides a live fight night to promote a film about an MMA icon.
- Sports halo: Uses UFC attention to seed film awareness
- Regional focus: MENA exclusive builds local value
- Content mix: Sports rights plus prestige films
- Retention play: Big title landing before year-end churn
STARZPLAY has leaned into live sports this year, from UFC cards to football. Pairing that with a high-profile film gives subscribers a reason to stay through December. For context on its sports footprint, see our Serie A coverage on the service.
When does The Smashing Machine stream in the UAE?
It premieres on STARZPLAY on 1 December 2025, aligned with the UAE National Day weekend.
Is it exclusive to STARZPLAY in MENA?
Yes. The announcement states an exclusive regional premiere.
Who’s in it?
Dwayne Johnson plays Mark Kerr and Emily Blunt plays Dawn Staples.
Who directed it?
Benny Safdie.
Is it based on a true story?
Yes. It focuses on Mark Kerr, a dominant early UFC figure, and the toll outside competition.
