Latest news with #ADCCWorldChampionships
South China Morning Post
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
ONE Championship signs up world's top women's jiu-jitsu prospect
Helena Crevar's meteoric rise in Brazilian jiu-jitsu has already made her a stand-out name – now, the teenage sensation is set to bring her talents to the global stage with ONE Championship. Advertisement The 18-year-old Las Vegas native has officially signed with ONE and is an exciting addition to the submission grappling roster. But what makes her arrival even more significant is the nature of her deal: a rare non-exclusive contract that allows her to continue competing in other events around the world. 'It's really important that athletes get to compete wherever possible,' Crevar told the Post. 'It helps both the athletes and the promotions to be more open, have more options, and get the most experience.' Crevar is widely viewed as one of the top prospects in the sport. She became the youngest ever podium placer at the ADCC World Championships in 2024, claiming silver at just 17 years old. That same year, she also captured the Polaris 70-kilogram title and continued collecting IBJJF World and Pan-American titles across multiple belt levels. A product of the famed New Wave Jiu-Jitsu team under legendary coach John Danaher, Crevar moved to Austin, Texas, at the age of 15 to train full time. She was promoted to black belt in June 2025, marking 10 years since she first stepped onto the mats. 'To be John Danaher's first female black belt is a huge honour,' she said. 'He's incredibly smart; he knows the answer to any position or scenario. I've never trained under anyone like him.'
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson transforms into Mark Kerr in 'The Smashing Machine' trailer
Dwayne " The Rock" Johnson steps back into the ring in the official trailer for "The Smashing Machine." A24 released the trailer for the upcoming biopic -- written, directed, co-produced and co-edited by Benny Safdie -- on Tuesday. Johnson stars as two-time UFC heavyweight champion Mark Kerr in the film, which tells the story of the legendary mixed martial artist and fighter. The biopic marks Safdie's solo directorial feature debut from a script he wrote. He previously co-directed and wrote the films "Uncut Gems" and "Good Time." Johnson is nearly unrecognizable in the trailer, which shows him wearing a wig and prosthetic makeup to fully transform into Kerr. "Winning is the best feeling there is. It's 40,000 people in there cheering you on," he says at one point in the trailer. "There's no other high like it in the world." Emily Blunt co-stars as Kerr's wife, Dawn Staples. "The Smashing Machine" marks the duo's second collaboration after the 2021 film "Jungle Cruise." Johnson and Blunt are also set to star alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in an upcoming crime thriller, set in Hawaii, to be directed by Martin Scorsese. Watch the full trailer for "The Smashing Machine" here. The real-life Kerr competed in matchups from 1997 to 2009, winning four ADCC World Championships over the course of his career. His life was the subject of a 2002 HBO documentary, which was also titled "The Smashing Machine," a reference to Kerr's nickname. On Monday, Kerr posted about the upcoming biopic on Instagram, writing in the caption, "I am still in disbelief that this is real. I am so proud of the work DJ put into becoming The Smashing Machine. I have so much gratitude, humility and respect for ever litlle [sic] detail production uncovered. Can't wait to share this experience with the world." Mixed martial artist Ryan Bader, actor and former mixed martial artist Bas Rutten, and Ukrainian professional boxer Oleksandr Usyk also star in the upcoming film. Johnson, a former University of Miami football player, initially found fame performing with the World Wrestling Federation, which later became World Wrestling Entertainment. He went on to find success in Hollywood, taking on a number of starring roles in hit films including the "Fast & Furious" franchise and the DC Extended Universe film "Black Adam," as well as voiceover roles in the 2016 Disney animated film "Moana" and its sequel. In January 2024, Johnson became a board member of TKO Holdings, the company that was created after UFC and WWE merged in April 2023.
