UFC Fighters Who Transitioned into Hollywood Stardom
MMA, especially UFC, has seen some of the most ferocious and physically challenging fighters across the globe. Unlike most fighters, some of them have turned their fame earned in combat sports into successful careers in Hollywood. These fighters have shown that they are not only great fighters but are also great personalities and the physical attributes needed in making movies. Here is a glance at the UFC fighters who have entered Hollywood and how they have influenced the film industry. From UFC Champion to a Hollywood Actress: A Journey of Ronda Rousey Ronda Rousey can be considered one of the most successful UFC fighters turned actresses in Hollywood. During her reign, Rousey was the first woman to be signed by the UFC and the first, and only the first at the time of writing this, women’s bantamweight champion. She was a star who took the MMA to the next level, especially for the women’s MMA division. Rousey’s charm and appeal were also felt by Hollywood, and she started acting while still competing. Her big roles include action blockbuster movies like Furious 7 (2015), where she portrayed a strong female bodyguard who had a fight scene with Michelle Rodriguez, and The Expendables 3 (2014), where she was among the cast that included Sylvestor Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Jason Statham. After UFC, Rousey’s acting career in Hollywood also progressed, and she acted in movies like Mile 22, released in 2018, in which she was co-starring with Mark Wahlberg, and she also featured in a TV show Entourage. She was undoubtedly a sports lover, and this gave her the overall strength that made her blend well into the action roles. She also ventured into the world of wrestling, where she also transformed into a WWE champion, which made her more of an entertainment personality. Georges St Pierre: The Captain America Villain Georges St-Pierre, commonly referred to as GSP, is among the most decorated UFC fighters of all time; he was the welterweight champion for most of his career. A well-disciplined fighter with a great fight IQ, GSP transcended the cage and even found himself in the MCU. St-Pierre’s breakout Hollywood role came when he portrayed the villainous Georges Batroc, a mercenary and expert martial artist, in Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014). The role was perfect for GSP, as his real-life combat abilities were very useful in the movie, especially in the fight scenes against Captain America, portrayed by Chris Evans. His work on Batroc was so good that he was again cast for the same character in the Disney+ series, Falcon & Winter Soldier (2021). GSP has not been as active in Hollywood as other fighters have been, but his role in one of the largest movie franchises in history makes him a successful fighter turned actor. He also has the charm and athletic prowess, which is quite beneficial when it comes to action movies. Randy Couture: From UFC Legend to Movie Star: The Expendables Randy Couture, a former two-time UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champion, is one of the pioneers of the sport. Couture was a wrestler who had a tough fighting style, and thus, he was a fan favorite in the UFC, and he was awarded a place in the UFC Hall of Fame. In fact, Couture’s Hollywood trip started before he was finished with his UFC career. He appeared in his first movie in Cradle 2: The Grave (2003) but rose to fame when he was featured as Toll Road in the Expendables series that began in 2010. In The Expendables, Couture acted along with the action stars like Sylvester Stallone, Jet Li, Jason Statham, and Dolph Lundgren, and his character was a demolitions expert with quite personality but a fiery spirit inside him. Couture has kept on acting in other action movies such as The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior (2008) and Hijacked (2012). This has been very much attributed to his background as a fighter and his tough exterior that makes him an ideal candidate for macho movies and action films. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson: From Knockouts to the “A-Team” Rampage Jackson is one of the most popular fighters in UFC history, the fighter who has a great number of spectacular knockouts and a unique character. His MMA career involved a period in the UFC as a light heavyweight champion and a bitter feud with Wanderlei Silva. However, it was not only Rampage’s skills on the cage that made him a perfect candidate for the Hollywood movie; his humorous and sometimes childish behavior was perfect for the big screen. Jackson’s Hollywood big break came in the form of a role that made him a star, playing B.A. Baracus in the 2010’s The A-Team. As for taking the role previously performed by Mr. T, Jackson was not so different from the original, yet he added his own flavor to the character while staying true to the concept of Baracus being a tough guy. While the movie received rather polarizing feedback, Jackson’s acting was highly credited, and he was able to stand up to such co-stars as Liam Neeson and Bradley Cooper. Following the movie The A-Team, Jackson went on to do more acting, but his primary interest was in MMA and professional wrestling. But he will always be remembered for his part as B.A. Baracus, one of the most colorful fighters in Hollywood stories, proving that he is just as dominant on the silver screen as he was in the Octagon. Gina Carano: An MMA Fighter Turned Actress in ‘The Mandalorian’ Gina Carano was one of the first women to be popular in the MMA arena, fighting in the Strikeforce and EliteXC before the women’s MMA got a slot in the UFC. Carano’s beautiful face, muscles, and talent as a Muay Thai fighter made her one of the most sellable fighters of her time, and soon she was offered a chance to act in Hollywood. Her first major Hollywood film was Haywire (2011), an action-thriller film
5 WWE Superstars Who Might Join Hollywood Industry After Retirement
It’s evident that some WWE wrestlers will likely pursue careers in Hollywood once they retire from wrestling. Hollywood seems like an ideal destination for these wrestlers once they hang up their boots. In the past, the idea of a wrestler becoming a successful actor was not common in the wrestling world. However, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson paved the way for WWE wrestlers to make the transition to Hollywood. The Rock has appeared in numerous movies, including major blockbusters, and has become one of the most prominent actors of his generation. Following his lead, Batista and John Cena have also ventured into acting and achieved success. Several WWE wrestlers have expressed their interest in Hollywood and possess the necessary skills to pursue acting careers. Many current talents have already dabbled in Hollywood with small roles in movies and TV shows. Some wrestlers have shown a keen interest in pursuing acting as a career and possess the charisma and talent required to succeed in the industry. Now, let’s take a closer look at five WWE stars who are likely to head to Hollywood once they decide to retire from wrestling: 5) Seth Rollins Seth Rollins is already making his mark in Hollywood by appearing in the upcoming Marvel movie, “Captain America,” where he will play a villain. Given his excellent character work and natural promo skills in WWE, it’s expected that Rollins will excel in his movie roles. If he succeeds, it’s likely that Rollins will transition to Hollywood in the future. 4) Becky Lynch Becky Lynch, the newly crowned NXT Women’s Champion and wife of Seth Rollins, is another WWE star with Hollywood aspirations. She has shown interest in acting and has made appearances in a couple of movies and TV shows. Although she came close to landing a role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the door to Hollywood remains open for Lynch. With her exceptional speaking skills and character work in WWE, she possesses the star power and talent needed to thrive in Hollywood. 3) Roman Reigns Roman Reigns is one of the most obvious WWE wrestlers poised for a Hollywood career once he retires from wrestling. The Tribal Chief has expressed his desire to pursue acting, and his connection with The Rock could open doors for him in the industry. Reigns has already appeared alongside The Rock in a movie, and his remarkable look and charisma make him a prime candidate for success in Hollywood. His outstanding character work in the wrestling world only enhances his chances. It seems inevitable that Reigns will eventually make the move to Hollywood. 2) Edge The Rated-R Superstar has already ventured into Hollywood by appearing on the hit show “Vikings,” and he demonstrated his acting abilities quite well. When Edge decides to retire again, he will do so on his terms and will likely fully commit to an acting career. His attention to detail, especially during the pandemic era, showcased his genuine acting abilities, making a transition to Hollywood a natural step for him. 1) The Miz The Miz initially began his career in the world of acting and has consistently worked on improving his acting skills while in WWE. He possesses abundant charisma and a natural talent for speaking, making a run in Hollywood a probable future endeavor. His successful reality show demonstrates his ability to captivate a broader audience beyond wrestling fans, a crucial factor for success in Hollywood.
