The Smashing Machine Arrives: Mark Kerr Joins UFC 5 Legends Roster

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Prince Horton | Last updated Oct 1, 2025 2:19 PM ET

A heavyweight legend makes his long-awaited debut in the UFC 5 roster

If you ever thought your toughest opponent was your controller, think again—because UFC 5 just dropped a fighter who used to smash through heavyweights like most of us smash through a bag of chips on fight night. The latest UFC 5 update is giving fans a chance to relive the chaos of the late ’90s by adding one of the most feared heavyweights of his era. With a nickname that speaks for itself, this legend’s arrival is both a nod to MMA history and a fresh shake-up to the heavyweight division.

Mark Kerr, better known as “The Smashing Machine”, has officially joined the UFC 5 Legends roster. A two-time UFC tournament champion in 1997, Kerr smashed his way through three brackets that year while amassing an undefeated record of 7-0.

His dominance was built on overpowering wrestling, smothering ground control, and heavy strikes that left opponents little chance to escape. EA has chosen to spotlight this peak version of Kerr.

One of the most dominant heavyweights of his era enters the Octagon
Play as Mark Kerr now in #UFC5 pic.twitter.com/GB9YWX4eEM
— EA SPORTS UFC (@EASPORTSUFC) October 1, 2025

That run cemented Kerr as one of MMA’s earliest heavyweight superstars. While his career later took him to Pride, it was his tournament triumphs in the UFC that established him as one of the most feared men in the sport. Now digitized for the first time, players can finally test his style inside the Octagon—pitting a ’90s powerhouse against today’s digital elites like Jon Jones, Ciryl Gane, or Tom Aspinall.

And if you think Kerr’s legend stops here, think again. Hollywood has already taken interest—Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is set to star in a biopic about Kerr’s life, also titled The Smashing Machine, which is scheduled to release on October 3. With Kerr now playable in UFC 5, fans can get a head start on experiencing the chaos long before the film lands in theaters.

Kerr’s arrival also hints at more Legends to come. If EA is willing to revisit the tournament era of the sport, it opens the door for other fan favorites. it’s a reminder that UFC 5 is evolving into a digital time capsule of MMA’s most iconic eras.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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