One of the most dominant forces in the history of mixed martial arts, Mark Kerr's nickname of the "smashing machine" could not be any more appropriate. Originally a native of Toledo, Ohio, Kerr attended Syracuse University in New York. There he established himself as one of the finest collegiate wrestlers in the country and went on to compete in the Goodwill Games and the World Cup. With his amateur wrestling career behind him, Kerr then made the transfer to mixed martial arts. His unparalleled strength and power led to an incredible winning streak ... from his first professional match in 1997, Kerr went undefeated for three years before finally losing in 2000 during the quarterfinals of the PRIDE Grand Prix Tournament. Along the way his unstoppable take downs and destructive ground and pound technique garnered him wins over the likes of Dan "The Bull" Bobish, Pedro Otavio, and Nobuhiko Takada. Kerr's massive physique also led to his other popular nickname of "the specimen." In 2003 an HBO documentary entitled "The Smashing Machine," chronicling Kerr's personal problems and struggles with drug dependency, brought him much mainstream attention and a new legion of fans eager to see him once again rise to the top of the sport.
