10 MMA Fighters You Didn’t Realize Were In Movies
In the world of MMA, high-level skill and consistency in the cage or ring aren't the only factors that can rocket a fighter to crossover success. Charisma, a rippling physique, an interesting background, and more can all determine whether a fighter who may or may not have found success in the cage or ring, can do so elsewhere.
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While fans have followed the likes of UFC legends Randy Couture and Ronda Rousey into the Expendables franchise, and even Bob Sapp into more obscure titles like Big Stan, some fighters' cinematic debuts seemed to have escaped popular notice.
10 Andrei Arlovski
Former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski is better known for his in-cage exploits, having fought through entire generations of fighters ranging from Tim Sylvia and Fedor Emelianenko to Alistair Overeem and Francis Ngannou.
What many might not know, however, is that Arlovski is no stranger to the small and silver screens. His cinematic debut came in 2006. Though his most significant role came in 2009 when he starred alongside Jean-Claude Van Damme in Universal Soldier: Regeneration as NGU, the movie's primary antagonist.
9 Lyoto Machida
One of the most elusive counter-strikers in UFC history, Lyoto Machida is best known for his brief stint as UFC light heavyweight champion, during which he popularized traditional martial arts. In particular, his in-cage exploits forced the MMA world to reconsider its once harsh stance on the effectiveness of karate.
As father time slowly guided him into the twilight of his career, Machida made a brief cameo in the 2014 action movie, Tapped Out. As for the role he was cast in the movie for? He was simply "Lyoto."
8 Anderson Silva
All-time MMA great Anderson Silva is the UFC's greatest ever middleweight champion with a staggering ten consecutive title defenses. In the eyes of many, he remains the greatest fighter in the sport's history.
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While recovering from a horrific leg injury suffered in his failed attempt at reclaiming his UFC title from Chris Weidman, Silva was given the opportunity to appear alongside fellow Brazilian striking wizard, Lyoto Machida, in the action drama known as Tapped Out. It was not, however, Silva's first outing on the silver screen. Prior to this, he took part in 2009's Never Surrender; an R-rated action movie revolving around an underground mixed martial arts tournament.
7 Tito Ortiz
One of the more unintentionally comical and bizarre MMA legends, Tito Ortiz is a former UFC light heavyweight champion without whom MMA would not be the popular sport it is in the United States today.
A self-proclaimed businessman, Tito does not shy away from opportunities to fill his pockets. Thus, in 2008, he made his cinematic debut as a bouncer in the comedy, Zombie Strippers. He'd go on to appear in other titles, including Cradle 2 the Grave, The Crow: Wicked Prayer, and Boo 2! A Madea Halloween.
6 Bas Rutten
Legendary mixed martial artist and one-time UFC light heavyweight champion Bas Rutten is one of the sport's more interesting personalities. The Dutchman attained internet prominence due to his series of street fighting and self-defense tip videos.
Rutten, however, is no stranger to being watched by others in a non-MMA capacity. In fact, his cinematic debut in 1992 in Shadow of the Dragon came a year before his professional MMA debut in 1993 at Pancrase: Yes, We Are Hybrid Wrestlers 1. Among the other films Bas Rutten has taken part in range from the lesser known The Eliminator and Backlash to the better known Paul Blart: Mall Cop and Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2.
5 Keith Jardine
Despite his less than stellar 17-11 record, Keith Jardine is well known for his upset victories over the likes of former UFC champions Chuck Liddell and Forrest Griffin, as well as former ONE heavyweight champion Brendan Vera.
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Jardine's career, however, also includes other unlikely facets, such as being cast alongside Hollywood standout Gerard Butler in Gamer. This, though, is not Jardine's only cinematic credential. He has appeared in other films like Crank: High Voltage, Tactical Force, Shot Caller, etc., and even John Wick.
4 Forrest Griffin
Among the friendliest and honest of the UFC's former champions, Forrest Griffin is a fighter whose warm disposition greatly endeared him to the MMA world.
Yet, his agreeable personality was not enough to extend his run on the silver screen. Between 2009 and 2010, Forrest appeared in I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell, 13, Unrivaled, and Locked Down. He's not been cast in a movie since.
3 Rich Franklin
Rich Franklin was once touted as a fighter who shattered the preconceived perceptions that mainstream media had of MMA fighters. A highly educated man with a bachelor's degree in mathematics, Franklin's past as a high school math teacher was a point of interest for those learning about the former UFC middleweight champion.
Yet, Franklin's horizons also broadened to a brief acting stint that saw him take part in three movies; Cyborg Soldier, The Hammer, and Mantervention.
2 Oleg Taktarov
Retired Russian samboist, judoka, and MMA fighter Oleg Taktarov is a man of many talents. While most of his attention has been focused on the pursuit of combat sports success, he has an enduring acting career.
Of the many films Oleg has been a part of, the most prominent are Bad Boys II and National Treasure.
1 Michael Bisping
After finally achieving his lifelong dream of winning a UFC world championship, Michael "The Count" Bisping retired after mounting one title defense and subsequently losing his next two fights. Prior to knocking out Luke Rockhold for the UFC middleweight title, however, Bisping had suffered a career of ups and downs; often on the very cusp of a title shot before slipping back down the ladder.
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Though when the Brit finally captured UFC gold, his career in and outside the cage took on an upward trajectory. In the very same year of his title victory, Bisping was cast in Vin Diesel's XXX: Return of Xander Cage film. A year later in 2017, he played Roy Shaw in My Name Is Lenny. He has since enjoyed a subtle acting career alongside his work as a UFC commentator.
