Mark Kerr, the legendary MMA fighter known as “The Smashing Machine,” has lived a life as intense outside the cage as inside it. His personal life, particularly his marriage and family, has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows, much like his career. His ex-wife, Dawn Staples, was more than just a supportive spouse—she was a striking presence in her own right.
Before she ever met Kerr, she had already made a name for herself as a Playboy model, embodying the glamour and confidence that came with the spotlight. But Dawn wasn’t just a pretty face. She had ambition, eventually stepping away from modeling to build a career in real estate and interior design. Her company, Final Touches by Design, became her passion, showcasing her eye for aesthetics and business savvy. When she and Kerr got together in the late 1990s, it was a collision of two strong personalities—one a ferocious fighter, the other a fiercely independent woman.
Inside Mark Kerr’s Relationship With His Former Wife, Dawn Staples—Did They Share Kids?
Their marriage in 2000 seemed like the kind of powerhouse union people would envy. They had a son, Bryce, who became the center of their world. For a while, life looked like it was going according to plan. But behind the scenes, Kerr’s battles with addiction and the brutal demands of his career began to strain their relationship. Dawn stood by him through some of his darkest moments, but the weight of his struggles became too much.
The couple divorced in 2015 after 15 years of marriage, a split that was as much about personal growth as it was about the difficulties they faced together. Dawn moved forward, focusing on her business and raising Bryce, while Kerr eventually found love again with Franci Alberding, a fitness consultant who brought stability into his life.
Bryce Kerr, now in his early twenties, has largely stayed out of the public eye, but it’s clear he inherited his father’s athletic genes. Though he hasn’t pursued MMA, he’s been involved in sports, and Kerr has spoken about how fatherhood changed him. The dynamic between father and son seems strong, with Kerr often reflecting on how his mistakes shaped his approach to parenting. Dawn, meanwhile, has remained a constant in Bryce’s life, ensuring he had a grounded upbringing despite the chaos that sometimes surrounded his father’s career.
Now, their story is being brought to the big screen in The Smashing Machine, a biopic starring Dwayne Johnson as Kerr and Emily Blunt as Dawn. The film promises to dig deep into the raw, unfiltered reality of Kerr’s life—the victories, the addictions, the love, and the heartbreak. Blunt’s portrayal of Dawn is expected to capture her resilience, showing how she navigated life with a man who was both a legend and a deeply flawed human being. The movie isn’t just about fights; it’s about relationships, and Dawn’s role in Kerr’s journey is a crucial part of that narrative.
What makes their story so compelling is how real it is. This wasn’t a fairy tale. It was messy, painful, and at times beautiful. Mark’s wife Dawn wasn’t just a footnote in his life—she was a force who helped shape it, even after their marriage ended. And Bryce represents the legacy of that relationship, a living reminder of what they built together before things fell apart.
Kerr’s life has always been about survival, both in and out of the cage, and his family played a huge role in that fight. Now, with the biopic on the horizon, a whole new audience will get to see the man behind the myth—and the woman who stood beside him through it all.
Excited to share the official trailer for Benny Safdie’s THE SMASHING MACHINE, starring Dwayne Johnson and Academy Award nominee Emily Blunt.
In theaters October 3rd. pic.twitter.com/PmLIYnNWQM
— UFC (@ufc) April 29, 2025
The film’s release in 2025 will undoubtedly bring fresh attention to Mark Kerr’s story, but for those who followed his career closely, the personal struggles were always just as gripping as his fights. Dawn’s strength, Bryce’s quiet presence, and Kerr’s eventual redemption arc make this more than just a sports drama. It’s a human story, one about love, loss, and the messy, complicated road to recovery. And while Kerr may always be remembered as “The Smashing Machine,” his family’s part in his journey proves that even the toughest fighters don’t go it alone.
