25 MMA Fighters Who Are, or Could Be, Action Movie Stars
MMA seems to get bigger by the day. And with a bigger sport comes bigger stars.
Although it may feel vaguely, what's the word, ooky to long-time fans, it makes sense that MMA's growing popularity is carrying over to the silver screen.
After all, what brand of athlete is more tailor-made for the talkies? These guys are fighters, and last I checked, there seemed to be a lot of fighting going on in Hollywood's high-profile products. MMA fighters are usually in superhuman physical shape. And even those fighters who don't have matinee-idol looks still have looks of some kind, and that personality goes a long way.
In this slideshow, allow me to proudly present the 25 guys who are either making it now or, in my opinion, hold potential to make it in Tinseltown.
And for the record, "Never Surrender" does not appear on this list. Nor should it, seeing as how it barely counts as a real movie. So I hereby pledge not to mention it again. I am hopeful you will do the same.
25. Cain Velasquez
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He's not the world's most charismatic figure, and he doesn't seem especially comfortable in front of a camera, but Velasquez (shown here with TV host Michele Borquez) has an undeniably intimidating look and a folk-hero status among Mexicans and Americans and Mexican-Americans alike.
A savvy businessman would do well to cash in on that. And it's my understanding that one or two of those reside in the greater Los Angeles area.
24. Christiane "Cyborg" Santos
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Those rumored negotiations with the WWE may or may not have been serious, but Strikeforce champion Santos is undoubtedly for real. She doesn't possess the traditional glamor of some of MMA's higher-profile ladies, but her shredded physique and unmatched dominance in the cage could make her an intriguing proposition for the entertainment world.
23. Jon Jones
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Whose MMA star is rising faster than that of Jonny "Bones" Jones?
The LeBron James of the UFC is poised, stylish and charismatic. And he has a natural flair for the cinematic as he plows through opponents in the cage. Instinct tells me this would be an easy transition for the 23-year-old.
22. Keith Jardine
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Did you know The Dean of Mean was in "Crank: High Voltage" with Jason Statham? Me neither. But this information almost, almost, gives me sufficient reason to watch "Crank: High Voltage."
Jardine has also appeared in the TV series "Breaking Bad," playing a guy who gets in a bar fight. Not exactly a stretch, but then again, the award-winning AMC drama is not exactly a bad line item for Jardine's resume.
21. Kimbo Slice
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Come on. You know you were thinking it.
If I were a casting agent and happened across a Kimbo fight -- be it in the UFC, the WWE or the street corner -- I'm finding a part for him. He made it as far as he did on pure physical charisma, and I think I read somewhere once that Hollywood likes that.
20. Kyra Gracie
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I normally don't go in for these hottest-this-and-that lists, but when you're talking about the big screen, it's sort of inevitable.
Gracie—the world's first female BJJ black belt and a grappling world champion—has all the tools to make this list. Her MMA pedigree helps backstop the glamor that she doesn't seem to have any qualms about flaunting (and if you don't believe me, just ask the Internet).
Her track record, appearance and illustrious surname have all combined to spark real interest in the Brazilian.
19. Forrest Griffin
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Call me crazy, but I have a hunch that shy, retiring Forrest Griffin may be open to more opportunities on the big screen.
I'm picturing action-comedy here. Maybe as Ace Ventura's bouncer or something like that. Or maybe in an adaptation of his best-selling survival guide to the apocalypse. Griffin could help write the screenplay.
18. Tito Ortiz
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This much is certain: you know it's crossed Tito's mind.
Maybe his girlfriend could give him pointers? Or maybe I should just stop typing right now.
17. Brian Stann
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Former soldier? Check. Exciting fighter? Check. Articulate guy? Check. Looks like Josh Hartnett after too much brain-and-nerve tonic? Check.
All kidding aside, I think Brian Stann could make a nice addition to any film with a military theme. Someone like Stann could help show that fighters are capable of holding their own in projects a few rungs up from the brain-candy aisle.
16. Erin Toughill
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You may remember Toughill as Steel in the 2008 remake of "American Gladiators," in which she starred alongside some other female fighter named Gina Carano.
Toughill has actually had a fairly long career in combat sports. As a boxer, she went 8-2-1, with one of her losses coming at the hands of Laila Ali. She is currently signed with Strikeforce, and sports a 10-2-1 record in MMA.
She is also hot. Not to put too fine a point on it, but yeah. Smoking, smoking hot.
15. Andrei Arlovski
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Look at those fangs. He's just begging for a role in the next "Twilight" movie.
But that role wouldn't be his first on the silver screen. Don't tell me you forgot about "Universal Soldier: Regeneration," in which "The Pit Bull" starred alongside Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren.
No offense to the Universal Soldier: Regeneration Fan Club, which is surely millions strong by now, but I really wish some of these fighters would appear in movies that didn't suck. Just my two cents.
14. Cung Le
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Cung Le starred in the 2009 sci-fi thriller "Pandorum," which for some reason also starred Dennis Quaid.
But the former Strikeforce belt holder isn't content to stop there. Oh, no. He plays Law in the film version of the video game Tekken, and will also appear in upcoming action film "Dragon Eyes."
13. Lyoto Machida
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Machida could use a little box-office mojo to regain his mojo in the Octagon. And since he is often called the real-life Bruce Lee for his karate expertise and resemblance to the film star, it's not really a long shot to imagine Machida going in this direction.
12. Roy Nelson
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Nelson proved you don't have to look like Mr. Olympia to be a really good fighter. He could prove the same thing for action movie stars.
Nelson has plenty of personality, and a sense of humor to accompany a serious mean streak in the cage. And admit it: You want to see that mullet on the big screen just as much as I do. But if Hollywood won't call, maybe we can create a Broadway rendition of "Kung-Fu Panda."
11. Chris Leben
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Unlike others on this list, Leben has neither acting experience, nor any apparent interest in acquiring any.
But I think he could make a run as a serious actor, and not just because of how easy it is to imagine him living in the overdrive style of the glitterati.
As most fight fans know, Leben had a pretty ugly childhood, which led to an occasionally ugly adulthood. He's a complicated guy who couldn't disguise his emotions if he tried, which he doesn't. Leben may be an unusual cat, but his everyman appeal comes through loud and clear.
I'm no Constantin Stanislavski, but this all reads to me like the skill set of a guy who could be pretty darn good at acting, if he so chose.
10. Rich Franklin
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Franklin cracks the top 10 for being a bit of a trail blazer in this space.
All the way back in 2008, when MMA was still a relative sports backwater, Franklin was starring in "Cyborg Soldier." In so doing, he cast the die for the litany of science-fiction/genetically-engineered-assasin movies starring MMA fighters that would follow him.
That's quite a legacy, Mr. Franklin. Bask in it.
9. Rashad Evans
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Suga has shown he has some small-screen smoothness, so shouldn't he step up to the silver screen?
Evans seems to have the presence, the style and the smarts to share the screen with heavy Hollywood hitters. Specifically, I can see him in one of those Michael Mann-style crime dramas.
8. Roger Huerta
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The Oscar de la Hoya look-alike, UFC veteran and current Bellator combatant once graced the cover of Sports Illustrated. So there's no doubt he's ready for his close-up.
Furthermore, Huerta already has a TMZ appearance under his belt. Why not pursue the film career that's supposed to go along with it?
7. Alistair Overeem
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I'm not sure much explanation is needed on this one. Overeem's a not-too-hard-on-the-eyes, hugely ripped guy with a crowd-pleasing knockout game and some championship gold around his waist. If you're a Hollywood exec, what's not to like?
6. Renato "Babalu" Sobral
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If I'm the guy casting the action movie, my first pick is Babalu.
He's what Leonardo DiCaprio would look like if Leo were bitten by a radioactive zombie. Sobral is not so much smoldering as he is actively burning. He always looks like he is either in the midst of, on the brink of, or recovering from a horrible drunken murderous rampage.
All I'm saying is, if I see this guy in a bar, I'm getting up and walking calmly toward the exit. But if I see him in a theater, there's a good chance I'm staying in my seat.
5. Gina Carano
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Good morning, Gina!
To this point, Carano has seen recurring roles mainly in small films, television shows and various Internet hot lists. Undoubtedly, though, her biggest break is coming this April, when she will star in the Steven Soderbergh film "Haywire" (formerly known as "Knockout").
In the film, which also stars Antonio Banderas and Channing Tatum, Carano plays a black ops soldier out for revenge, insert Charlie Brown adult noises here. No word yet on whether her character is genetically engineered, has amnesia or is running from something in her past.
It will be interesting to see how this film—and Carano—fare. As it's a big-budget film in which the mixed martial artist has more than a token role, "Haywire" could reveal a lot about MMA's crossover potential.
4. Brock Lesnar
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With his lengthy experience in the WWE (not to mention all those hunting videos), Lesnar is no stranger to the screen. And his profile is only going to rise in the coming weeks during his coaching stint on "The Ultimate Fighter."
Like it or not, Lesnar is the UFC's most visible star. Even though he claims to want no part of the spotlight, Brock seems acutely aware (and protective) of his public persona. He will likely never crack any Oscar watch lists, but his image and his monstrous bearing make Lesnar a natural fit for film, and everybody knows that. In my opinion, it's not a matter of if, but of when.
3. Chuck Liddell
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Liddell has also had some small roles in films, doing cameos in random things like "Drillbit Taylor" and "300" (though I don't remember seeing him in that one).
The California native also has a bit of a showbiz history, as he had a tiny appearance in the 1981 film "The Postman Always Rings Twice," which starred Jack Nicholson (check out the clip here).
Liddell was the sport's first real crossover star. He has a mountain of charisma, and doesn't exactly seem intimidated by the cameras or the Hollywood lifestyle. Even though he's retired from the Octagon, I don't think we've seen the last of Liddell by a long shot.
2. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson
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Rampage made his big-screen debut reprising Mr. T's role as B.A. Baracus in "The A-Team." Maybe you heard something about it.
While people like me struggled to use the words "Rampage Jackson" and "Liam Neeson" in the same sentence, Jackson laughed all the way to the bank. "The A-Team" ultimately grossed $176 million worldwide. Not too shabby, if not an unmitigated blockbuster.
All the principle actors have reportedly expressed interest in an A-Team sequel. Hopefully Jackson can schedule the filming for that around the sequal to "The Midnight Meat Train," which I will just assume is also in the works. How could it not be? I AM SO SICK AND TIRED OF ALL THIS MOTHERFRACKIN MEAT ON THIS MOTHERFRACKIN TRAIN!*
*Imagined dialogue
1. Randy Couture
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If you look at the numbers, Couture is MMA's undisputed box office king.
"The Expendables," which Couture appeared in with Sylvester Stallone and other luminaries, has raked in $275 million worldwide since its 2010 release.
But don't forget about "The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior," the 2008 prequel to the spinoff of the sequel of the remake of "The Mummy." Because that was good stuff.
At this time, it's not clear what the future holds for Couture. But because he is a UFC hall of famer on everyone's ballot, The Natural can pretty much do whatever he wants. I just don't have to buy a ticket.
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