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In the adrenaline-fueled world of mixed martial arts, the Ultimate Fighting Championship stands as the pinnacle of competition, showcasing the finest fighters on the planet. While these athletes are renowned for their prowess in the octagon, some have ventured beyond the cage to make their mark on the silver screen. From action-packed blockbusters to compelling dramas, a select group of UFC champions has seamlessly transitioned from dominating opponents in the ring to captivating audiences on the big screen.
In this article, we take a closer look at 10 UFC champions who have successfully crossed over into the world of major motion pictures. These fighters not only left an indelible impact on the sport of mixed martial arts but also demonstrated their versatility and charisma in front of the camera. Join us as we explore the cinematic journeys of these warriors, celebrating their achievements both inside and outside the ring.
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10Don Frye
A UFC Hall of Famer, making his mark in the early days of the organization. He competed in the UFC in the late 1990s and early 2000s, earning a reputation as a tough and durable fighter. Frye is perhaps best known for his memorable battles in the heavyweight division, displaying a gritty and entertaining fighting style. He won the UFC 8 tournament and also had notable fights against the likes of Tank Abbott and Mark Coleman.
Frye had a role in the Michael Mann-directed filmMiami Vicein 2004, starring Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx. While not a lead role, his presence added to the action-packed atmosphere of the film. Additionally, Frye played the character Captain Douglas Gordon in this Japanese kaiju film Godzilla: Final Wars in 2006. His role was significant, as he portrayed a military officer leading the fight against Godzilla and other monstrous creatures in a global battle for survival.
9Bas Rutten
A Dutch mixed martial artist, was a dominant force in Pancrase during his tenure in the 1990s. Rutten eventually made the transition to the UFC in 1999 were he defeated Kevin Randleman for the Heavyweight Championship and became the UFC’s first non-American titleholder when he won the UFC Heavyweight Championship. Known for his striking skills and versatility, Rutten retired with an impressive record, leaving a lasting legacy in the sport.
Appearing inPaul Blart: Mall Cop 2, Bas Rutten’s character provided an entertaining contrast to the comedic elements of the film, bringing his martial arts background into play as a formidable adversary. Later inHere Comes the Boom, Rutten’s role was more central to the storyline, contributing to the film’s action sequences and showcasing his skills in a sports comedy setting. Rutten’s transition to film roles demonstrated his ability to bring his martial arts expertise and personality to the big screen, making him a recognizable figure in both the MMA and entertainment worlds.
8Michael Bisping
A British mixed martial artist, having a highly successful career primarily competing in the middleweight division. Notably, he has held titles such as the UFC Middleweight Champion and the Cage Rage Light Heavyweight Champion. Furthermore, he emerged victorious in The Ultimate Fighter 3 Light Heavyweight tournament. Breaking new ground in his career, he made history at UFC 78 as the first British fighter to participate in a UFC main event. Another milestone occurred at UFC 199 when he upset Luke Rockhold in a short notice bout, becoming the inaugural British fighter to claim a UFC Championship. Recognizing his contributions to the sport, he was honored with induction into the UFC Hall of Fame on July 2019.
Bisping played the role of Hawk, an assassin inxXx: Return of Xander Cagestarring Vin Diesel. He showcased his combat skills and physical presence, fitting seamlessly into the high-octane world of action cinema. A year later, Bisping had a supporting role in the crime thrillerDen of Thieves, which featured Gerard Butler and Pablo Schreiber. His character, known as Bosco, added depth to the ensemble cast, contributing to the film’s gritty atmosphere and intense confrontations
7Valentina Shevchenko
Hailing from Kyrgyzstan and Peru, with a background in Muay Thai. Shevchenko competes in the Women’s Flyweight Division. Notably, she held the title of Women’s Flyweight Championship for 5 years until her loss to Alexa Grasso in March 2023. Despite a closely contested decision draw in their subsequent encounter in September 2023, she was unable to reclaim the championship. Presently, she holds the position of the #1 contender in the Women’s Flyweight rankings and ranks #3 in the Women’s Pound for Pound.
In 2020, Valentina Shevchenko ventured into the realm of acting, making an appearance in the filmBruisedalongside Halle Berry. In the movie, Shevchenko took on the role of Lady Killer, an antagonist. The plot revolves around Berry’s character, a former performer in the premier world league, as she endeavors to reclaim her past success. Shevchenko’s involvement adds a dynamic element to the film, showcasing her versatility both inside and outside the realm of mixed martial arts.
6Conor McGregor
Boasting an impressive legacy as a former Featherweight and Lightweight Champion, achieving the remarkable feat of concurrently holding titles in two weight classes—a first in UFC history. Recognized as the most significant pay-per-view draw in MMA, he has headlined the top five highest-selling UFC PPV events. His clash with Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 set a new standard, garnering a staggering 2.4 million PPV buys—the highest ever for an MMA event. Beyond his athletic prowess, McGregor’s financial success is underscored by his ranking as the world’s highest-paid athlete by Forbes in 2021, with reported earnings reaching $180 million. Notably, he had previously secured the fourth spot on the list in 2018, boasting an income of $99 million.
Conor McGregor is poised to join Jake Gyllenhaal in the upcoming Prime Video reimagining of the classic ’80s action film,Road House. The fresh adaptation revolves around a former UFC fighter, portrayed by Gyllenhaal, who assumes the role of a bouncer at a gritty roadhouse in the Florida Keys. As the plot unfolds, he unravels the mysteries concealed within this seemingly idyllic tropical paradise. While specific details about McGregor’s character remain undisclosed, sources have clarified that he will embody an original role in the project, rather than portraying himself.
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5Chuck Liddell
Liddell won the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship in April 2005 by defeating Randy Couture. He successfully defended the title four times during his reign as the champion. Liddell was known for his powerful striking, particularly his knockout ability. His aggressive and entertaining fighting style made him one of the most popular fighters in the history of the UFC. In 2009, Chuck Liddell was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in the Modern Era Wing, recognizing his contributions to the sport.
Liddell had a small role in the 2001 stoner comedy filmHow High, showcasing his early foray into the world of acting. Additionally, Liddell played the role of a henchman in the 2003 action filmCradle 2 the Grave, starring Jet Li and DMX. His physical presence added to the film’s fight scenes. Lastly, Lidell had a brief appearance in the filmKick-Ass 2, as himself. Chuck was an MMA trainer for Christopher Mintz-Plasse’s character Chris D’Amico
4Quinton “Rampage” Jackson
Rampage Jackson became the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion in May 2007 by defeating Chuck Liddell. This victory marked a significant achievement in his MMA career. Jackson is famous for his slam knockout against Ricardo Arona at Pride Critical Countdown 2004, where he lifted Arona and slammed him to the canvas. Rampage Jackson had notable rivalries in the UFC, including matchups with fighters like Chuck Liddell and Wanderlei Silva, contributing to the excitement of the light heavyweight division.
In the drama filmMississippi Grind, Jackson had a supporting role as Russell. While not an action-packed role, it showcased his ability to take on different genres. However, it was in 2010 Rampage Jackson played the character B.A. Baracus in this action film adaptation of the classic TV series The A-Team. His portrayal of the iconic character brought a mix of toughness and humor to the role. InThe A-Team, Rampage Jackson’s portrayal of B.A. Baracus provided a fresh take on the character.
3Randy Couture
Couture won the UFC Heavyweight Championship multiple times during his career. His victories in the heavyweight division included wins over fighters like Maurice Smith and Kevin Randleman. Couture also won the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship, showcasing his ability to compete in different weight classes. His notable victories in the light heavyweight division include wins over Chuck Liddell. Couture made history by becoming the first fighter in UFC history to win titles in both the heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions. Couture had a remarkable ability to come out of retirement and still perform at a high level. His comebacks and victories over younger opponents added to his legendary status.
Couture has appeared in films such as 2008’sThe Scorpion King 2: Rise of a WarriorandRedbelt, however Couture’s most notable appearance is inThe Expendablesseries. Couture’s portrayal of Toll Road in the series contributes to the ensemble nature of the films. As one of the tough and capable members of the Expendables, his character adds a layer of authenticity to the action sequences, combining his real-life combat skills with the fictional world of the movies. The series, known for bringing together iconic action stars, allows Couture to showcase his physicality and contribute to the high-energy, adrenaline-fueled atmosphere of the films.
2Georges St-Pierre
GSP was a dominant force in the UFC welterweight division. He won the UFC Welterweight Championship in 2006 and successfully defended the title multiple times. After a brief hiatus from the sport, St-Pierre returned and won the UFC Middleweight Championship in 2017, becoming only the fourth fighter in UFC history to win titles in two weight classes. GSP became a major pay-per-view draw, headlining some of the most successful events in UFC history. His fights, particularly against notable opponents like Matt Hughes, B.J. Penn, and Nick Diaz, garnered widespread attention and contributed to the growth of the sport.
St-Pierre’s most significant film role is the primary antagonist in the opening sequence ofCaptain America: The Winter Solideras Batroc the Leaper, where he engaged in a hand-to-hand combat sequence with Captain America on a hijacked S.H.I.E.L.D. ship. St-Pierre’s return to the MCU in the seriesThe Falcon and Winter Solider,providing continuity to his character’s storyline. Batroc engages in intense fight sequences and plays a role in the overall narrative as the series explores themes of power, legacy, and the changing dynamics of the superhero world post-Avengers: Endgame.
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1Ronda Rousey
Rousey made history by becoming the first UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion in 2012. Her achievements paved the way for the inclusion and promotion of women’s MMA in the UFC. Rousey’s dominance as a champion was characterized by her incredible finishing rate. Most of her victories came via armbar submission in the first round, showcasing her unparalleled skills in judo and grappling. Rousey’s success in the UFC catapulted her into mainstream stardom. She became a household name and broke down barriers, proving that women could be marquee attractions in combat sports.
Rousey had a cameo role as herself in the film adaptation of the seriesEntourage. However, Rousey made her film debut inThe Expendables 3, an ensemble action film. In the movie, she played the character Luna, a skilled combatant who joins the team of mercenaries known as the Expendables. Additionally, Rousey had a brief but impactful appearance inFurious 7. She portrayed Kara, a bodyguard, in a memorable fight scene with Michelle Rodriguez’s character, Letty Ortiz. Ronda Rousey’s foray into film has showcased her versatility as an entertainer. Rousey’s success in film, coupled with her impact in MMA and WWE, has solidified her status as a multifaceted and influential figure in the entertainment industry.
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David Moya
Articles Published :240
A lot of appreciation for Marvel. Big love for DC Comics!
