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In a rare heartfelt moment, Johnson offered a tribute to the 2025 UFC Hall of Fame inductees. Johnson was hesitant to speak exclusively about Kerr’s fighting side of life and preferred to take the path of Kerr’s personal struggles instead. The weight of the words could be felt by everyone in the arena.
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The post opened with a heavy truth: “It’s not the win – it’s the PRESSURE TO WIN that can become our greatest heartache.” Johnson examines Kerr’s troubles outside the cage, two overdoses amid the peak of Kerr’s fighting career. But really? The story focused on Kerr redeeming his life and then becoming a beacon of hope for anyone battling their demons.
One of the most enthralling parts of Johnson’s speech was sharing one instance from Kerr’s life. In Japan, Kerr was being beaten terribly by the biggest guy but refused to tap out. Johnson says he asked him why he never submitted, only for Kerr to say, “I didn’t want to let anybody down.” That was huge—Johnson felt an immediate connection to the situation when his son Bryce stopped him from drinking alcohol on the anniversary of his mother’s death. Now, seven years sober, The Rock recognized that recovery is no longer about surviving, it is about standing up to life.
The comments section bubbled and overflowed. One user suggested: “True greatness isn’t measured by wins, but by what we endure to achieve them,” perfectly capturing the sentiment expressed. Another said: “It’s a powerful reminder that our greatest battles often happen far from the spotlight.” Then one jokester said, “It’s not about the wins but the cool wigs you can get with your winnings.” Classic internet.
Some comments were on the very personal side. A user said, “I definitely need some help… I just feel so defeated with just literally everything.” And that is the whole thing about Johnson’s post—there wasn’t just a tribute; there was also a lifeline for those out there suffering in silence.
The Rock noted the friendship between himself and Kerr exceeds far beyond sports. He called him a “pillar of hope” and articulated that Kerr changed his life by virtue of simply living it. Therein lies the true lesson: sometimes the hardest fights happen outside the ring, and the real win isn’t a belt; it’s who you become in that process.
The talks of the next big Kerr life-and-times movie are heating up. Comments came flooding in, “This movie going to be GOOD” and “I can’t wait to see this movie.” If The Rock’s speech was a reference, this one’s definitely sliding off the map faster than a heavyweight’s right hook.
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At first, Johnson attempted to say that pressure makes champions, but plenty of grace and gratitude makes legends, and Mark Kerr is living proof of that.
This story originally appeared on Celebrityinsider
