UFC
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson talks Brock Lesnar, Rousey vs. Carano, Dana White, and more in UFC Magazine interview
Jul 24, 2014 - 12:20:44 PM Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson talks Brock Lesnar, Rousey vs. Carano, Dana White, and more in UFC Magazine interview

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Movie superstar and pro wrestler Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson was interviewed for the latest edition of UFC Magazine, and he was asked about a number of MMA-related topics.

Given his friendship with former UFC Champ Brock Lesnar, and his working relationship in films with both Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, he's got a connection to some of the sport's bigger names. But his fandom for MMA began before that. Here are some excerpts from the interview, touching on Lesnar, Rousey vs. Carano, Dana White, and more:

What fight or particular moment drew you into mixed marital arts? Was it Brock Lesnar, or were you a fan before he made his Octagon debut?
I was always a fan of the UFC, dating back to UFC 1 in ’93. But what actually drew me to MMA was when I attended UFC 60, when Matt Hughes faced Royce Gracie in a non-title catchweight fight. I was interested in MMA at that time, so I went to the Staples Center early and sat in the front row to watch every fight that night— including all the prelims. I wanted to absorb as much I could and become somewhat of a student for the night. When the main event was about to start, they sat the Gracie family next to me. Specifically Helio Gracie—his energy and presence was powerful. I’ll never forget shaking his hand. Royce lost, but even in defeat, the grace, pride and poise he and the Gracie family showed that night was inspiring. I went home that night with such a greater respect for the sport and all its fighters.

Are there any particular fighters you currently follow?
I always have my eyes on the champions, specifically the heavyweight and light heavyweight champs. Cain Velasquez is an animal with the type of heart and conditioning that makes me want to run through a wall at 3 a.m. and do my cardio and training. My buddy Jon Jones is a very special fighter who bridges fighting and artistry like no one ever before has. They’re both incredibly inspiring champions who are needle movers in the world of MMA. And I bet 2015 will be the year of Anthony “Rumble” Johnson: a bad dude. When he becomes champion, I’m gonna have to claim him as my cousin! [Laughs]

What’s the most surprising thing you learned about Ronda Rousey while filming Fast & Furious 7?
Ronda is one of a kind. She’s a champion with world-class drive and work ethic. And to be able to do what she’s doing—the drive of being a champion and then balancing that with the drive of being equally as good on the big screen—that type of ambition requires capacity, and it’s so cool to see her achieve and move mountains.

Gina Carano, who made F&F 6 with you, is possibly coming out of retirement. If she meets Rousey in the Octagon, who are you taking?
Come on, man, you can’t ask me that. That’s like asking me, “Hey, Rock, which side of your handsome face do you like better, left or right?” Obviously, it’s impossible to answer. You see what I did there? Avoided that question like the Filipino clap and managed to drop a “handsome” line in.

Well played, sir. What advice if any did you give Brock Lesnar before he transitioned to MMA?
I never spoke to Brock when he decided to compete in MMA. We’ve been good buds for years, and he always knew I supported his decision. To be able to accomplish what he did and become UFC heavyweight champion in that short amount of time was insane—historic.

Without giving away too much, what made you reach out to Dana White to participate in your show Wake Up Call?
On that episode of Wake Up Call, we have an 18-year-old high-school dropout who has one dream: to become a UFC champion. Despite the fact that his mom is in prison and he dropped out of school, he’s a good kid with a big heart and a dream. I told him if he meets me halfway and puts in the hard work, then I’ll provide the tools he needs to achieve his dream. I called Dana to see if he’d come down to Florida and take a look at this kid and see if he had any potential. I knew I could count on Dana to give it to me and the kid straight without any bullshit. Not only did Dana fly all the way to Florida, but he brought Mike Dolce with him. They put that kid through the ringer with training, conditioning and a shot to become part of Coach Libo’s [Ricardo Liborio] American Top Team up the road from where we live. I won’t give it away, but let’s just say that we may see that kid, Terrell Moore, in the Octagon one day. I can’t thank Dana and the UFC enough for their support of Wake Up Call.

Do you ever hear a voice in the back of your head whispering that you should give MMA a shot?
I used to hear that voice a few years back, then I remembered I don’t like getting punched in the face. Kidding aside, I have boundless respect for MMA and the discipline it takes to become a champion. The best way I can honor the warriors is through my support.

Penick's Analysis: Johnson made the comment on ESPN earlier this month while promoting his new movie Hercules that he'd have considered MMA had it been the sport it is now in the 90s when he came out of college. It's similar to Lesnar, as he'd have likely done the same if the money was there right out of the gate. At the same time, neither of them would have had the platform to become the stars they did in the WWE first. It seems harder to become an MMA superstar at this stage, and Lesnar was helped by the fact that he entered as a huge name before fighting.