Related
Summary
Finding winner as anMMA fightertook commitment , determination , and science , so it only made sense that many acclaimed fighters subsequently transport these talents to the populace of move . With applaud roles in activity , comedy , dramas , and sci - fi , several high - visibility combatant have carved out second careers for themselves in Hollywood after already making sport history with impressive runs in MMA organizations like the UFC . While MMA fighters who transitioned into acting have had their fair percentage of controversies , that did not cease them from breaking into the world of film and television .
The good MMA fighters - change state - worker have held multiple championship titles and were regarded as some of the greatest paladin who ever live . With the acting first appearance of the infamous UFC championConor McGregor opposite Jake Gyllenhaal inRoad House , it made sentience to look back on the other fighters who have had a similar career flight . The best MMA fighters - turned - actorswere jock who took the unstoppable determination they showcased in the ring and applied it to their new life history on the screen .
8Oleg Taktarov
Oleg Taktarov was a UFC champion who worked with the biggest names in Hollywood
The Russian MMA fighter Oleg Taktarov relocated to the USA in the former nineties to become an actor , but his lack of English fluency meant that he alternatively initially prosecute a fighting career in America ( viaBJJ Tribes . ) Billed as “ The Russian Bear ” , Taktarov quickly fought his way through the Ultimate Fighting Championship and was eventhe superior of the UFC 6 tournament in 1995 . In 2003 , with an impressive fighting career behind him , Taktarov temporarily retired from MMA fighting and began to quest after his original architectural plan and work as an actor in many movies .
A fable in the ring , Taktarov can confidently put forward that he achieved his goal of making it as an actor in the United States .
Taktarov has worked with many acclaimed thespian , such as opposite Harrison Ford inAir Force One , played a part inRighteous Killwith Robert De Niro and Al Pacino , and even turned up inBad Boys IIwith Martin Lawrence and Will Smith . An accomplished star in his own right , Taktrarov was the Pb inAbsolute Forceand starred in the Russian TV seriesEx - Wife . A caption in the doughnut , Taktarov can confidently submit that he achieved his goal of make it as an doer in the United States .
7Chuck Liddell
Chuck Liddell shifted his focus from fighting to working in film and television
The assorted martial arts heavy - weight championChuck Liddel was a major contributor to bringing MMA into the mainstreamand was a significant figure in the humankind of fighting . Dubbed “ The Iceman ” , Liddell had an impressive career that saw him invest into the UFC Hall of Fame with an overall record of 21–9 , 13 of which come by way of dish . While Liddell had some act roles during his fight calling , after his retirement in 2010 he shifted his focussing to work in photographic film and television system .
While Liddell ’s earliest roles pore on his brash theatrical role , such as being a knotty guy inHow mellow , or a batting cage fighter inCradle 2 the Grave , in later roles he stretched himself further as Gung - Ho inThe Ballad of G.I. Joeor Sergeant McGreevy inWar Pigs . Liddell was perhaps best known for run himself on concealment , such asinKick - Ass 2where he helped train Chris D’Amico in his mission to become a superhero . With a wealth of roles behind him , Liddell was one of the most interesting MMA battler wrench actors out there .
6Quinton Jackson
Quinton Jackson has maintained a career as both an MMA fighting and an actor
The UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton Jackson and was a former assorted warlike artist and professional wrestler eff for his belligerent combat trend . With an extroverted and charismatic personality , Jackson was always a likable fighter whose adaptability and communication acquisition were highly transferrable to the world of film and television . With an telling fight record that saw 34 win against 14 losses , Jackson had the nickname “ violent disorder ” as he tore through so many opponentsthroughout his impressive career as an MMA fighter .
While maintain his fighting career , Quinton always keep one human foot in the world of work with appearance includingJackass , King of Queens , andThe Cleveland Show . Quinton also pursued larger role , like B.A. Baracus inthe 2010 remake ofThe A - Teamand appear in several verbatim - to - video releases , likeFire with Firestarring Bruce Willis and the fighting filmNever Back Down : No Surrender . Withan impressive ability to juggle both a scrap and an playact career , Quinton found winner across the board .
5Gina Carano
Gina Carano successfully transitioned from the ring to the screen, but her career stalled due to controversy
Having landed several major roles in acclaimed franchises , Carano ’s acting vocation seem determine to equal that of her meter in the ringing . However , stick with controversial social media posts , Carano was fired fromThe Mandalorian , and she subsequently file a lawsuit against Disney for what she perceived as an unfair dismissal ( viaThe Guardian . ) It ’s hard to know how this will impress Carano ’s calling actuate forrad , but she has not appear in any film or television projects since 2022 .
4Ronda Rousey
Ronda Rousey found success in the UFC, WWE, and the world of acting
Having fight down in both the UFC and WWE , Ronda Rousey was one of the most recognizable female fighters in the worldand for a long meter held the record for most UFC title defenses , until her criminal record of six was surpassed by Valentina Shevchenko in 2022 . As the only woman to be a champion in both the UFC and WWE , it ’s even more impressive that Rousey carved out a third career for herself as an actress . Dubbed the best female athlete of all sentence by anESPN poll , Rousey has make out to juggle her performing and fighting careers simultaneously .
Rousey ’s first major acting appearance was alongside action movie legends Sylvester Stallone , Jason Statham , and Jet Li , in the star - studded sequelThe Expendables 3 , where she play a nightspot chucker-out recruited by Bonaparte . Rousey followed this up with function inFurious 7,Entourage , Mile 22 , andCharlie ’s Angels . With serious screen electric potential and a clear steely determinism , there ’s no telling where Rousey could go next , give her already impressive career and success streak .
3Conor McGregor
Conor McGregor made an impressive acting debut in 2024 that could lead to bigger and better things
The notorious UFC featherweight and lightweight adept Conor McGregor was known for his sulk controversial presence inside and outside of the ring . An abrasive , trash - talking , and over - the - top fighter , McGregor herald from Ireland and was a major contributor to the popularization of MMA struggle around the macrocosm . Having already made his mark on democratic civilisation through high-pitched - profile fights , and even a raid into boxing with a extremely anticipated compeer against Floyd Mayweather , McGregor lately made his acting debut in a major Hollywood production .
As the standout carrying into action inRoadHouse , McGregor showed real performing potentiality and was perfectly cast as a mean - spirited , scum - talking , and quick - to - violence resister .
As of 2024 , McGregor has had one pic role as the extremely memorable villain in the Jake Gyllenhaal remakeRoad House . McGregor leaned into his tough guy rope persona to play Knox , an unstoppable combat machine intent on taking down Gyllenhaal ’s eccentric Dalton at all costs . As the standout performance inRoadHouse , McGregor express substantial acting potential and was absolutely stray as a average - spirited , trash - talking , and flying - to - furiousness antagonist . The reception to McGregor ’s character inRoad Housewas goodand could signal the dawning of a unexampled earned run average for the fighter ’s life history .
2Georges St-Pierre
Georges St-Pierre followed up his successful UFC career by joining the MCU
Georges St - Pierre was wide regarded as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time and was a three - clock time former UFC Welterweight Champion who ranked number one in the world in his free weight category for many year . St - Pierre ’s ab initio pull back in 2013 while carry the record for most wins in deed of conveyance bouts after champion his statute title nine serial times over 2,024 days . Having already made combat history , St - Pierre ’s switch his focal point to acting and has even joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe .
St - Pierre ’s most meaning role came in 2014 with the liberation ofCaptain America : The Winter Soliderwhere he playedthe Algerian mercenary and highjack Georges Batroc . St - Pierre ’s has repeat his purpose on Disney+ inThe Falcon and the Winter Solider , as well as the alternate history animated seriesWhat If … ?St Pierre ’s read bang-up acting potential through his appearances in the MCU as well as other roles like inKickboxer : VengeanceandCartels .
1Randy Couture
Randy Couture has seamlessly transitioned from fighting to an acclaimed acting career
The most telling MMA fighter bend player has to be Randy Couture who manage to conform to up one of the most impressive fighting career of all time with an as varied and interesting filmography . A three - time Heavyweight Champion , two - time Lightweight Champion , and interim Light Heavyweight Champion , Couture had a stunning career in the UFCand extend his tie-up with the world of struggle as a reviewer and analyst for the Professional Fighters League . Not only this , but Couture has also appeared in several acclaimed film and television roles .
Couture has put to work with the biggest action stars the world has ever seen through his appearances asthe demolition expert Toll Road ineveryExpendablesmovie . Couture showcased that he had the skills to be a conduce adult male with his starring role inHijacked , paired Dominic Purcell . With appearances in action movies , clowning , dramas , and even Westerns , since moving on from his fighting career , Couture jumped headlong into the humans of acting to great success .
Sources : BJJ Tribes , The Guardian , ESPN
Custom image by Yeider Chacon.
