The announcement of the Golden Globe Awards nominations has highlighted both the triumphs and disappointments within the martial arts community. The year 2025 has seen notable fighting biopics, including films about UFC legend Mark Kerr and boxing star Christy Martin.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson portrayed Kerr in “Smashing Machine,” while Sidney Sweeney took on the role of Martin in “Christie.” Despite the film’s poor box office performance, Johnson received widespread acclaim for his portrayal, earning a nomination for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama. However, Sweeney did not receive similar recognition, nor did UFC commentator Joe Rogan’s popular podcast.
The “Christie” film faced mixed reviews and struggled financially, earning only $1.3 million during its opening weekend in North America and recording one of the worst opening averages per theater ever. On the other hand, Johnson’s performance garnered Golden Globe attention despite the movie’s struggles.
In addition to the snub of Sweeney, Joe Rogan’s “The Joe Rogan Experience,” which was the most listened-to podcast across Apple, Spotify, and YouTube in 2025, surprisingly did not receive a nomination in the Best Podcast category. This omission is thought to be linked to the controversy surrounding some of the podcast’s content.
The 83rd Golden Globe Awards Ceremony is scheduled for January 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.
Johnson expressed his thoughts about his nomination, emphasizing the film’s focus on addiction and personal struggle as seen in Mark Kerr’s life. He highlighted the story as a tribute to those fighting their demons, saying it reflects the harsh reality of overcoming addiction and finding sobriety.
Fan Take: This recognition of Dwayne Johnson’s performance shows that martial arts stories are gaining more respect and visibility in mainstream media. For fighting fans, it underscores the power of these personal stories to inspire and bring broader awareness to the challenges faced by athletes outside the ring.
