Oleksandr Usyk received a gift from rapper Snoop Dogg while filming ‘The Smashing Machine’.
Usyk is set to play MMA and kickboxing legend Igor Vovchanchyn in a new film due for release in 2025 that also stars Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.
Filming has begun for the Hollywood blockbuster in Montreal, Canada and the Ukrainian actor is busy filming his part.
On social media, today Usyk took a photo with hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg – real name Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr – along with a series of charming all-star names on set.
In the photo, the rapper appeared to have given Usyk a matching luxury necklace and the couple held them up for the camera.
The letters ‘DPG’ sit on the dog’s paw as part of a design that pays tribute to hip-hop duo Tha Dogg Pound, who collaborated with Snoop Dogg on his ‘Doggystyle Records’ label.
Usyk thanked the American for the gift and wrote on the post: “Thank you, I appreciate it.”
The Ukrainian has become a superstar in his own right, and his role in a hit film will further enhance his growing reputation as a heavyweight champion indisputable.
Co-star Johnson was delighted to work with the champ and sent him a touching message on social media.
He wrote: “Don’t break my jaw champ.
“What an honor to be crowned Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World @usykaa joins our cast of ‘The Smashing Machine’.
“Usyk will play Igor Vovchanchyn – a real-life Ukrainian MMA legend who had legendary matches during the no-holds-barred extremes of mixed martial arts and an epic fight against the Smashing Machine himself , Mark Kerr.
“I have a lot of respect for Oleksandr Usyk and [I] would be honored to share the ring with him – when he knocks me out next week. We look forward to cooperating with you.
The biopic focuses on the life of Kerr, who won two UFC heavyweight championships in 1997.
He fought Vovchanchyn, for whom Usyk was selected, twice and Kerr got the better of the star in their second meeting.
This is not Usyk’s acting debut, he previously voiced Sholom in the animated film ‘The Stolen Princess’ and also played a small role as a professional boxer in the Ukrainian boxing film ‘The Fight Rules’.