Oleksandr Usyk received a gift from rapper Snoop Dogg while on set filming for ‘The Smashing Machine’.
Usyk is set to play MMA and kickboxing legend Igor Vovchanchyn in the new film which will be released in 2025 also starring Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.
Filming has already commenced for the Hollywood blockbuster in Montreal, Canada and the Ukrainian has been busy shooting his part.
On social media, Usyk today posed for a picture with hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg – real named Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr – as a series of star-studded names grace the set.
In the picture, the rapper appears to have gifted Usyk a plush matching necklace, and the pair held them up to the camera.
The letters ‘DPG’ were on a dog paw as part of the design, a tribute to hip-hop duo Tha Dogg Pound, who have collaborated with Snoop Dogg as part of his label ‘Doggystyle Records’.
Usyk thanked the American for the gift, writing on the post: “Thank you bro, I appreciate it.”
The Ukrainian has become a superstar in his own right, and his role in a high-profile film will continue to boost his ever-growing profile as an undisputed heavyweight champion.
Co-star Johnson was delighted to be working with the champion, and paged a touching message to him on social media.
He wrote: “Don’t break my jaw champ.
“An honour to have the newly crowned Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World @usykaa join our cast of ‘The Smashing Machine’.
“Usyk will play the role of Igor Vovchanchyn – the real life Ukrainian MMA legend who had legendary fights during the extreme no holds barred era of Mixed Martial Arts and one historic fight against the Smashing Machine himself, Mark Kerr.
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“I have huge respect for Oleksandr Usyk and [it] will be my honor to share the ring with him – as he knocks my jaw into next week. Looking forward to working with you my brother.
The biopic focuses on the life of Kerr who won two UFC heavyweight championships in 1997.
He fought Vovchanchyn, whom Usyk has been cast, twice with Kerr getting the better of the star in their second meeting.
It is not Usyk’s acting debut, having voiced Sholom in the animated movie ‘The Stolen Princess’ and also played a low-key role as a professional boxer in the Ukrainian boxing flick ‘The Fight Rules’.
Usyk’s focus will then switch back to his own boxing career with his December 21 rematch pencilled in against Tyson Fury.
The 37-year-old will not defend the IBF title he won in their undisputed clash however, having vacated the belt which has seen Daniel Dubois upgraded to the organisation’s world champion.
