What happens when the worlds of combat sports and Hollywood collide? Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is no stranger to the UFC. In fact, the professional wrestling legend turned Hollywood leading man was present to wrap the belt around Jorge Masvidal’s waist when he won the inaugural BMF title at UFC 244 in 2019. But ‘The Rock’s UFC connection also extends to his friendship with the boss, Dana White and he even holds a seat as a board member of TKO Group Holdings, the parent organization that has the WWE and the UFC under its umbrella.

Recently Johnson made another appearance on the big screen with ‘Red One’, a star-studded action-adventure film. And in a surprising move, Dana White’s ‘Power Slap’ has also been spotted making a cameo in the movie which led to a massive shout-out from the UFC head honcho on social media!  

Dana White receives a surprise as Dwayne Johnson gives a cheeky nod to ‘Power Slap’ in Hollywood venture  

Dana White’s Instagram story lit up recently, showcasing a scene from ‘Red One’. The film, directed by Jake Kasdan, spins a whimsical tale. Johnson stars as the head of North Pole security, teaming up with Chris Evans to rescue Santa Claus. Somewhere amidst the action, comedy, and yuletide chaos, ‘Power Slap’ snuck in—a cheeky nod to its rise in pop culture!

While the UFC boss tagged ‘The Rock’ in the post acknowledging the notice given to his latest venture, how did we get to this point? A place where niche spectacles like ‘Power Slap’ are being featured in major Hollywood films? The ‘Power Slap’ league idea came to Dana White in 2017. According to his statement on the UFC’s official website, White shared, “I’ve been working on this since 2017. I saw some footage of slap fighting on social media and I was instantly hooked.  From the first day I saw it, I felt like this could be big.”

The ‘Power Slap’ page on Instagram now boasts a staggering 5.3 million followers, a testament to White’s vision. Co-created by White alongside Lorenzo Fertitta and Craig Piligian, it launched with defined rules, weight classes, and official rankings and is sanctioned by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

For fans of Power Slap, seeing their niche sport highlighted in a mainstream film may feel surreal. For skeptics, it’s a testament to the growing cultural footprint of the once-dismissed competition. Hollywood, ever attuned to trends, seems to be recognizing the entertainment value of this new-age sport. And who better to deliver it than ‘The Rock’? After all, the UFC boss had also made a bold claim about Dwayne Johnson’s upcoming film which focuses on the story of a legendary MMA fighter!

White believes Johnson may be heading for an Oscar with ‘The Smashing Machine’  

In the upcoming biopic ‘The Smashing Machine’ Dwayne Johnson steps into the shoes of Mark Kerr, a two-time UFC heavyweight tournament champion whose nickname is probably one of the most accurate descriptions of his fighting style! Competing in the UFC’s early, raw days, Kerr bulldozed his way to victory, often taking out multiple opponents in one night. Dana White, the man who transformed the UFC from near-obscurity to a global empire, believes this movie is more than just another action flick.

In an interview with Collider, the UFC boss stated, “The Rock will kill this. He will nail this role. I know how serious he’s taking this, I know who’s working with him, and I know how hard he’s working on this film. I think that this could be the opportunity for The Rock to actually be nominated for an Oscar.”

Johnson has been documenting his journey on social media, offering glimpses into the grueling training and intense filming process for the tough task of portraying Kerr on the screen. In one post, he revealed a brutal elbow injury sustained during filming. For Johnson, it’s all part of bringing authenticity to the screen. For White, it’s proof that “This has been a passion project for him for a while, and he has 100 per cent of the support from the UFC. Obviously, he’s a friend of mine, and this is his chance for an Oscar.”

With ‘Power Slap’ finding its way into a mainstream film and Johnson stepping into Mark Kerr’s legendary shoes for ‘The Smashing Machine’, one thing is clear, Dana White’s vision for the UFC and beyond is shaping cultural narratives far beyond the Octagon. What do you think about the incredible rise of ‘Power Slap’? Do you think the Mark Kerr biopic will lead to Oscar gold for Dwayne Johnson? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!