UFC Champions to Actors: 5 UFC fighters who turned to Hollywood
Dive into few of the UFC stars who have had a successful stint in attempting in their acting career.
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Former UFC champions in movies (Image Sources - IMBD/Sporting news)
Oftentimes, fighters have a tough time climbing up the ranks in certain divisions. If done so, they reach their peak and retire after regressing as a fighter. During times like those, most fighters tend to relax with the empire they had created through fighting. However, some contenders or UFC champions tend to be workaholics who relax.
Their retirement leads them into other avenues such as commentary, analysis, and even creating a YouTube channel. However, turning to Hollywood for a post-fighting career is not an out-of-the-norm endeavor in the community. Through their superstar charisma, few fighters tend to be masters in front of the camera when it comes to acting. Let’s look at a few fighters who have found their niche through acting.
Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson
UFC contender Quinton Jackson was one of the most entertaining fighters in the light heavyweight division. His MMA career was also successful, considering the caliber of opponents he took on in the octagon. Fighting opponents like Chuck Liddell and Jon Jones, ‘Rampage’ has the experience of being on a big stage. So, it did not surprise anyone when the fighter turned to Hollywood after retirement.
The fighter starred in films such as The A-Team and Vigilante Diaries. Jackson has starred in over ten films throughout his career. Most of them belong to the action genre, ‘Rampage‘ has found a niche in the acting space as his run as an actor has excited the fans.
Randy Couture
MMA legend Randy Couture is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished fighters in the UFC. His incredible wrestling style made him a force inside the octagon. Making his debut in 1997, the fighter has had a long-term career that spanned till 2011. Recognized as a strength-oriented contender, he has taken on Mark Coleman, Chuck Liddell, and Tito Ortiz. After his brutal loss to Lyoto Machida, the former UFC champion turned to acting after his retirement.
This was an endeavor that fans were surprised to see. However, Couture broke the odds and became a notable fighter-turned-actor in the space. Randy has starred in movies like The Hard Way and Blowback. However, the fighter gained the most success starring in the very popular Expendables franchise.
Anderson Silva
Nicknamed ‘The Spider,’ Anderson Silva is regarded as one of the greatest fighters ever. His IQ and skillset in the octagon are unmatched against his opponents. Taking on tough contenders like Chael Sonnen and Michael Bisping, the Brazilian contender’s UFC career had magical moments. The Spider destroyed everyone in his path during his prime.
However, following his retirement, ‘The Spider’ starred in several movies. In movies like The Invincible Dragon and Till Luck Do Us Apart 2, Silva has considerable acting experience that may surprise most people. Although not critically acclaimed, Anderson Silva also turned to acting after retirement.
Georges St-Pierre
Retired UFC legend Georges St-Pierre is among the most popular on the roster. Amassing a record of 26 wins and two losses, St-Pierre was a feared opponent in the octagon. Having been in the UFC for a considerable time, ‘GSP’ had a unique career compared to most fighters. Many fight fans consider him one of the greatest fighters of all time.
One commendable aspect of Georges St-Pierre’s career is his role in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. His action sequence in the movie had gone viral amongst the MMA community, and fans praised the acting of ‘GSP.‘ The fighter had also starred in movies such as Kickboxer: Vengeance and Cartels. St-Pierre failed to become a one-hit wonder as he had starred in several movies.
Ronda Rousey
Ronda Rousey’s career as the most popular female fighter in the UFC has been a rollercoaster. From a record-breaking win streak to devastating losses, ‘Rowdy’ experienced everything a fighter can. Despite the downs, Ronda Rousey is one of the most decorated fighters on the roster. Her historical moments in the octagon outweigh her losses later in her career.
Since her retirement, Ronda has competed in the WWE and acted in movies. Films like The Expandables 3 and Furious 7 were a few of the box office juggernauts the fighter starred in. Praised by her co-stars, Rousey seems to have a promising career in Hollywood and acting.
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S Sunil Krishnan
(137 Articles Published)