While fighters making appearances in movies is more of an honor, landing a role on a television show can also vault you to a new level. That is what happened for these 10 fighters including former UFC champions Georges St-Pierre and social media star Paige VanZant.
10. Georges St-Pierre
Known by many as the greatest fighter of all time, Georges St-Pierre won both welterweight and middleweight gold while competing for the UFC. He made nine successful title defenses and was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2020.
St-Pierre’s name stands atop several lists, as he went 26-2 overall and won his last 13 fights including wins over BJ Penn, Dan Hardy, Jake Shields, Carlos Condit and Nick Diaz.
GSP would turn a small role in “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” into a more pivotal role in “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” series through Marvel.
9. Tyron Woodley
From the wrestling mats to the Octagon to the small screen, Tyron Woodley has carved out quite the career. A former UFC welterweight champion, Woodley would go 19-7-1 in his career with 13 wins via finish. He defended the belt four times after besting Robbie Lawler in 2016.
Woodley left MMA in 2021 after four consecutive defeats. His resume includes wins over Darren Till, Stephen Thompson, Carlos Condit and Josh Koscheck.
In 2019, he appeared on “Hawaii Five-O,” but made his biggest impression as Sensei Odel in 2022 when he appeared on “Cobra Kai.”
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8. Randy Couture
An elite wrestler who would become a champion in the UFC, Randy Couture was all that his nickname, “The Natural,” entailed. A two-time silver medalist at the NCAA Div. I level, Couture scored gold at the Pan American Games representing the United States.
Over his MMA career, the UFC Hall of Fame selection would win the heavyweight and light heavyweight titles, making several defenses of both. He was the first multi-divisional UFC champion and is tied with Georges St-Pierre for second on the list of most title fights.
Couture’s acting resume includes many, many films to go along with appearances on television shows such as “The Unit,” “The King of Queens,” “Hawaii Five-O,” “NCIS: Los Angeles” and a handful of reality programs.
7. Gina Carano
It is difficult to know where female MMA would be today without Gina Carano. She was a trailblazer in her brief three-year career. Carano won her first seven bouts before losing to Cris Cyborg in 2009 and retiring.
She made several brief appearances in movies over the years before landing the lead role in the 2011 film “Haywire.” However, Carano is probably most remembered for her work in “The Mandalorian.”
After playing the role of Cara Dune for two seasons, Carano was fired following a series of controversial social media posts.
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6. Keith Jardine
Known as “The Dean of Mean,” Keith Jardine competed 35 times in MMA, kickboxing and boxing, winning 21 of those fights. He was a member of the second season of The Ultimate Fighter, reaching the semifinal round.
Jardine made his last official appearance inside the cage in 2012, losing to Roger Gracie. He also faced off against the likes of Luke Rockhold, Matt Hamill, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Wanderlei Silva, Chuck Liddell and Ryan Bader.
His acting career includes several movie roles along with appearances on “Breaking Bad,” “The Punisher” and “Godless.”
5. Chuck Liddell
Not many out there can take the kind of credit for helping build MMA that Chuck Liddell can. He still holds the record at 10 for most knockouts in the division.
Liddell would fight 30 times, going 21-9 with 13 knockouts. He retired from the sport after a 2010 loss to Rich Franklin, only to return eight years later and battle arch-rival Tito Ortiz.
Liddell was on Season 9 of “Dancing with the Stars,” where he placed 11th overall. He also made appearances on “The Simpsons” and the first U.S. season of “Celebrity Big Brother.”
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4. Tank Abbott
If you include his run with WCW as a professional wrestler, Tank Abbott probably has the most appearances on television of a former UFC fighter. Abbott is more known for his ability to take punishment and dish it out.
In 1997, he challenged Maurice Smith for the UFC heavyweight title, losing in the first round. He also had matches with Vitor Belfort and Don Frye.
Outside of competing, Abbott appeared on “Friends,” playing himself. He defeated Jon Favreau’s character on the show. Favreau would later go on to direct and star in several Marvel movies including the “Iron Man” series.
3. Forrest Griffin
Forrest Griffin is a former UFC light heavyweight champion. He has also been inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame twice. Those came as a fighter and his bout with Stephan Bonnar at The Ultimate Fighter 1 Finale.
Griffin retired following a 2012 victory over Tito Ortiz, leaving the sport with a record of 19-7. He won his only UFC title in 2008 with a victory over Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.
Griffin has appeared on an episode of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and “Hell’s Kitchen.”
2. Paige VanZant
Paige VanZant recently returned to combat sports with Misfits Boxing, challenging for the title. She fought for several years with the UFC, making her last appearance in 2020. VanZant and fellow fighter Austin Vanderford are married.
In 2016, VanZant appeared on “Dancing with the Stars.” She would reach the finals, placing second to model Nyle DiMarco. From there, VanZant appeared on “Chopped,” besting Dorothy Hamill in the dessert round to be crowned the winner.
Despite all that, she is probably most known for her social media life. VanZant has shared countless bikini photos through her pay service and more.
1. Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone
A veteran of 55 mixed martial arts fights, Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone was one of the most fan-friendly fighters of all-time. Cerrone finished his MMA career with 36 wins, adding 29 more victories in kickboxing to his resume.
He landed several small roles in films and television starting in 2020. That was an appearance on “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” The creator of the series, Rob McElhenney, has trained at Cerrone’s BMF Ranch in the past.
Cerrone is a member of the UFC Hall of Fame. He earned a UFC/WEC record 23 fight-night bonuses during his career.
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