8 MMA Legends You've Never Heard Of

During his physical prime, Mark Kerr looked like he was built in a lab by American scientists attempting to make their own version of Aleksandr Karelin. Standing 6'1" and weighing over 250lbs of pure muscle, Kerr was the physical embodiment of strength.

Add to those attributes an NCAA Division 1 wrestling calibre, and you have a terrifying prospect in heavyweight MMA when he made his debut in 1997.

The American would more than live up to his 'smashing machine' nickname during the early years of his career, winning three fights in a combined total of less than three minutes to be crowned UFC 15 Tournament Champion. Kerr would also successfully incorporate submissions into his wrestling heavy grappling style, becoming a two-time winner at the prestigious ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championships in the heavyweight category.

However, the 2002 documentary The Smashing Machine would show that, away from competition, Kerr's life was in turmoil. Drug and relationship issues were taking their toll on the fighter, and his performances were beginning to deteriorate as a result.

After losing just one of his first 15 fights, Kerr would win just two of his next 12 before retiring from the sport in 2009.

Finally though, it appears that Kerr's incredible story will be told to a wider audience. In November of last year, The Rock announced that he was going to be playing Kerr in a documentary about the UFC and PRIDE veteran's life.