{"id":511069,"date":"2026-03-01T04:31:08","date_gmt":"2026-03-01T04:31:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/511069\/"},"modified":"2026-03-01T04:31:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-01T04:31:08","slug":"how-dwayne-johnson-got-even-bigger-to-play-mma-legend-mark-kerr","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/511069\/","title":{"rendered":"How Dwayne Johnson Got Even Bigger to Play MMA Legend Mark Kerr"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dwayne Johnson isn\u2019t exactly known for being undersized. But when director Benny Safdie told him he needed to \u201cget bigger\u201d to play real-life UFC legend Mark Kerr<\/a> in The Smashing Machine<\/a>, Johnson and his longtime trainer, Dave Rienzi<\/a>, had just six months to deliver a new level of mass and athleticism.<\/p>\n

According to an interview Rienzi gave to GQ<\/a>, the transformation meant pushing Johnson into the largest physique of his career\u2014outmuscling even his WWE days. The payoff? A performance critics say captures both Kerr\u2019s bruising physical presence and his emotional battles outside the ring.<\/p>\n

Heavy Shrugs, Bigger Shoulders, and Fight-Ready Training<\/p>\n

Rienzi, an IFBB Pro bodybuilder and founder of Rienzi Strength & Conditioning<\/a>, focused on mimicking Kerr\u2019s signature silhouette: massive traps and rounded shoulders. That meant layering in high-volume shoulder work and multiple weekly shrug sessions.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe hadn\u2019t done shrugs in years,\u201d Rienzi told GQ. \u201cBut for this role, we needed that thickness.\u201d On set in Vancouver, former MMA coach Bas Rutten<\/a> even remarked that Johnson looked nearly identical to Kerr.<\/p>\n

The training went beyond hypertrophy, says GQ. To maintain explosiveness, Rienzi programmed heavy posterior-chain work\u2014glutes, hamstrings, and lower back\u2014while Johnson also trained with MMA stunt coordinators to prepare for fight choreography.<\/p>\n

Dwayne Johnson Gained Muscle With a High-Protein, High-Carb Diet<\/p>\n

The physical grind was matched in the kitchen. Rienzi oversaw six to seven whole-food meals a day, plus a shake, with an emphasis on protein and carbohydrates to build size without resorting to \u201cdirty bulking,\u201d as reported by GQ. Cardio intervals kept conditioning sharp, while rest days included mobility work and recovery.<\/p>\n

Despite the intensity\u201418 fight-sequence shoot days left Johnson battered\u2014his consistency impressed Rienzi most. Regardless of travel or schedule, he never misses, Rienzi told GQ.<\/p>\n

With The Smashing Machine set to cement Johnson\u2019s most dramatic role yet, the Rock\u2019s dedication proves once again that muscle\u2014and discipline\u2014are built one rep, one meal, and one day at a time.<\/p>\n

This story was originally published by Men’s Fitness<\/a> on Oct 14, 2025, where it first appeared in the News<\/a> section. Add Men’s Fitness as a Preferred Source by clicking here.<\/a><\/p>\n