Martial Artists In Movies: The Real Deal - Volume 12 (All MMA Edition)
This is a list of legitimate martial artists appearing in movies, accompanied by the styles they practice(d), the recognition they've received for them, and individual trivia.
This particular list EXCLUSIVELY includes individuals whose primary activities in the realm of martial arts include MMA competition. Individuals who have competed in MMA but are more authoritative in other sectors can be found in other lists.
Qualifications:
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I have begun crediting stunt performers for doubling others in fight scenes. I justify doing this for cases wherein the stunt performer is performing significant parts of the action themselves and is displayed on the screen as prominently or more than the actor or actress.
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NOTE: a lot of the trivia listed here did originally come from IMDb pages, but I've only included information I was able to verify from other sources as well.
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**Though I have done my utmost to ensure that all information below is factual and up-to-date, I may have made mistakes and therefore make no claims about this list's infallibility**
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This particular list EXCLUSIVELY includes individuals whose primary activities in the realm of martial arts include MMA competition. Individuals who have competed in MMA but are more authoritative in other sectors can be found in other lists.
Qualifications:
- the performer must be an actual practitioner of a martial art; simply portraying martial artists in film, no matter how well or how often, is not enough
- the martial art(s) in question must be able to be identified and verified by a source other than hearsay
- individual accomplishments (e.g. tournaments won, belts held) must likewise be verifiable
- Mixed Martial Arts, Tai Chi, and weapons-based styles can only be credited if the person in question practices another style as well (I reserve the right to make exceptions)
- Kickboxing is considered a martial art
- Tae Bo, boxing, wrestling, and gymnastics are not considered martial arts
- styles incorporating firearms usage (e.g. Systema) are not considered
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I have begun crediting stunt performers for doubling others in fight scenes. I justify doing this for cases wherein the stunt performer is performing significant parts of the action themselves and is displayed on the screen as prominently or more than the actor or actress.
--------------------------------------------------
NOTE: a lot of the trivia listed here did originally come from IMDb pages, but I've only included information I was able to verify from other sources as well.
--------------------------------------------------
**Though I have done my utmost to ensure that all information below is factual and up-to-date, I may have made mistakes and therefore make no claims about this list's infallibility**
--------------------------------------------------
Next list here
Previous list here
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- Actress
- Producer
From pioneering women's MMA to blazing a trail in movies, GINA CARANO is one of Hollywood's most unique rising stars. Carano began her training with Muay Thai to competitive MMA, where she competed in Strikeforce and EliteXC. Her popularity led to her being called the "Face of Women's MMA" and she was the fastest-rising search on Google and third-most-searched person on Yahoo and ranked 5th on a list of the "Top 10 Influential Women" of 2008. In August 2009, Carano fought Cris Cyborg in Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg, the first time two women headlined a major MMA event and at the time was the highest rated fight in Showtime history. Carano compiled a competitive record of 12-1-1 in Muay Thai and a 7-1 in women's MMA.[4]
Outside the ring, Carano served as a mentor to aspiring fighters in the 2007 Oxygen reality series Fight Girls and performed as 'Crush' in the revamped television series American Gladiators before her breakout performance in Steven Soderbergh's film HAYWIRE, holding her own against the likes of Michael Douglas, Michael Fassbender, Channing Tatum, Bill Paxton and Antonio Banderas. Gina's authenticity to making the Action look real earned her performance a Critics Choice Award Nomination for Best Actress in an action film. Hot on the heels came a role in the worldwide hit FAST AND FURIOUS 6 for Universal Pictures opposite Dwayne Johnson furthering her appeal as an Action Star. Next up, she co-starred alongside Robert DeNiro, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Dave Bautista in Lionsgate's film HEIST followed by the role of 'Angel Dust' in the smash hit MARVEL/FOX film DEADPOOL opposite Ryan Reynolds based on the popular comic book. The film grossed over $870 Million dollars at the Box Office. After starring in the independent films DAUGHTER OF THE WOLF opposite Richard Dreyfuss and the dark comedy MADNESS IN THE METHOD with Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith, Gina had secured a lead role in Jon Favreau's highly reviewed Star Wars TV show THE MANDALORIAN for Disney +. Gina played 'Cara Dune', a former Rebel Shock Trooper in the series. However, after sharing a controversial post on social media, Gina was fired by Lucas Film and her character was written out of the show.
Carano was born in Dallas, Texas, the daughter of Dana Joy (née Cason) and professional football player Glenn Carano who played for the Dallas Cowboys and was the backup quarterback to Roger Staubach. She has two sisters, one older and one younger.
*Gina became the first recipient of ActionFest's Chuck Norris (Best Female Action Star) Award, given to the female action star of the year.
*Gina received the Artemis Action Warrior Award for her contributions to the female action genre and women's MMA. The award was presented to her by Action legend Zoe BellKickboxing, Muay Thai (record: 12-1-1), Mixed Martial Arts (record: 7-1)
Trivia: is the recipient of the first-ever Chick Norris award from ActionFest film festival
Best seen in HAYWIRE- Rich Franklin was born on 5 October 1974 in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. He is an actor, known for The Genesis Code (2010), Cyborg Soldier (2008) and ONE Championship on TNT (2021).Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Mixed Martial Arts (UFC & IFC Champion; record: 29-7), Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (brown belt)
Trivia: is a former coach for the THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER television program
Best seen in CYBORG SOLDIER - Actor
- Producer
- Stunts
Cung Le made his first appearance on the professional M.M.A. stage in 2006, and shortly after won the Strikeforce Middleweight Championship in 2008, setting high standards through his powerful kicks, skillful strikes, and well-timed take-downs. This U.S.-Viet Namese champion, actor, producer and action director is a household name in many parts of East Asia and is equally adored in Hollywood. He has starred in many major movies such as 'Puncture Wounds', 'Dragon Eyes', 'The Man With the Iron Fists', 'Pandorum' and Oscar-nominated 'The Grandmaster'. Born in Saigon, Viet Nam and arrived in the U.S. at three years old, this world-class fighter has graced the covers of many major martial arts publications such as Inside Kung Fu, Black Belt, Martial Arts Illustrated; and has made headlines and appearances in numerous main-stream outlets all over the world. Cung Le's latest high-profile project was coaching and mentoring fighters on the reality T.V. show: 'The Ultimate Fighter: China' and preparing them for the March 1st match in Macao where the winner earned a six-figure U.F.C. contract. This is the dream title that will catapult any fighter's status into stardom. Typically, the role of mentor and coach is reserved for the president of U.F.C. - Dana White. For the first time, he has appointed someone else - Cung Le - to take his position this season. This speaks volumes about Cung Le's martial arts skill and his ability to attract a world audience. Behind the scenes, Cung Le is an extremely down-to-earth, warm and fun-loving person with a positive view on life. He enjoys spending quality time and on vacation with his wife, taking his sons out to celebrate their academic and mixed martial arts successes at Five Guys Burgers, playing with his two dogs, embracing injuries with a light-hearted attitude, and training daily to stay in shape. He has been promoting his own amateur mixed martial arts event, Born to Fight, since 2001. He also attends martial arts events, works on various publicity projects, contributes positively to society through his "Train for a Cause with Cung Le" events, and stays true to himself by always expressing his candid points of view.Tae Kwon Do, Kickboxing, Sanshou (3-time ISKA Champion; 3-time WUF Bronze medalist; Shidokan USA Champion; IKF Champion; record: 17-0), Sambo (AASU Espoir National Champion); Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (blue belt), Judo (Russian Nationals Champion), Mixed Martial Arts (Strikeforce Champion; record: 9-3)
Trivia: would perform 4000 kicks per day for while training
Best seen in DRAGON EYES- Actor
- Producer
- Stunts
Bas Rutten is a world-renowned mixed martial artist who has also made a name for himself outside the ring as an actor, host, and television personality.
As an actor Rutten can be seen co-starring in the Kevin James feature film Here Comes the Boom (2012) for Columbia Pictures. Rutten previously appeared in Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009) and lent his talents to the voice cast of Zookeeper (2011).
Rutten is the co-host of the weekly MMA news program Inside MMA on HDNet, and he can be seen this fall hosting the self-defense show Punk Payback for Fuel TV. Rutten has provided color commentary for several fight organizations including the former Pride Fighting Championships.
Rutten is a former three-time King of Pancrase World Champion and UFC Heavyweight Champion. Born and raised in Holland, his devotion to martial arts began after sneaking into a movie screening of Bruce Lee's Enter the Dragon. First known as a devastating stand up striker with 11 career wins by knockout, Rutten also dominated with 14 wins by submission and went undefeated in his final 22 fights.Mixed Martial Arts (UFC & King of Pancrase Champion; record: 28-4-1), Kyokushin Karate (5th Dan), Tae Kwon Do (2nd Dan), Muay Thai (record: 14-2)
Trivia: made headlines in Sweden following his arrest at a bar for brawling with several bouncers
Best seen in THE ELIMINATOR- Andrei Arlovski was born on 4 February 1979 in Minsk, Byelorussian SSR, USSR [now Belarus]. He is an actor, known for Universal Soldier: Regeneration (2009), Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning (2012) and The Equalizer 2 (2018).Sambo (World Cup & WSC Silver medalist; European & World Youth Champion), Kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts (M-1 European & UFC Champion; record: 26-15 [1])
Trivia: has also earned the title International Master of Sports
Best seen in UNIVERSAL SOLDIER: REGENERATION - Actor
- Stunts
- Producer
Randy Couture is a collegiate wrestler and fighter turned actor from Everett, Washington. He served as a four time US Olympic wrestling team alternate as a soldier in the U.S. Army, and is also a 6 time world heavyweight and light heavyweight UFC champion and Hall of Famer. He is a graduate of Oklahoma State University with a bachelor's degree in foreign language literature and is also fluent in German. Randy's current girlfriend is actress Mindy Robinson. He is best known for starring in all three of The Expendables, Ambushed, and The Scorpion King 2.Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts (6-time UFC Champion; UFC & Black Belt Hall of Fame entry; record: 19-11)
Trivia: holds UFC records for most championship wins, most championship fights, being the oldest fighter to win / defend a UFC title, and being the oldest fighter to win a fight in UFC history
Best seen in THE EXPENDABLES- Actor
- Stunts
Kickboxing (record: 1-4), Mixed Martial Arts (record: 2-4)
Trivia: was also a pro boxer (record: 8-3)
Best seen in BLOOD AND BONE- Robert Malcolm "Bob" Sapp born September 22, 1973] is an American professional wrestler, actor, comedian and former American football player best known for his career as a kick boxer and mixed martial artist. He is under contract with Rizin Fighting Federation. Sapp has a combined fight record of 22-35-1, mostly fighting in Japan. He is well known in Japan, where he has appeared in numerous commercials, television programs, and various other media, and has released a music CD, It's Sapp Time. He also appeared in an episode of the HBO program Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel. He is working sporadically for various MMA promotions in the U.S., Japan, and Europe.Kickboxing (K-1 GP Champion; record: 12-18), Mixed Martial Arts (Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame entry; record: 11-20-1)
Trivia: is also a former NFL player and pro wrestler
Best seen in BLOOD AND BONE - Anthony Johnson was born on 6 March 1984 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He was an actor, known for Warrior (2011), Combat Club (2022) and UFC 200 Greatest Fighters of All Time (2016). He died on 13 November 2022 in the USA.Kickboxing, Sanshou, Mixed Martial Arts (record: 22-6)
Trivia: is also an amateur wrestler, having won the NJCAA Championships in 2004
Best seen in WARRIOR - Mike Pyle is known for Universal Soldier: Regeneration (2009), Men in Black³ (2012) and Safe (2012).Tae Kwon Do, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (brown belt), Mixed Martial Arts (WEC Champion; record: 27-13-1)
Trivia: began studying MMA after watching Royce Gracie's early UFC fights
Best seen in UNIVERSAL SOLDIER: REGENERATION - Brock Lesnar was born on July 12, 1977 in Webster, South Dakota, USA as Brock Edward Lesnar. He is an actor, known for WrestleMania XIX (2003), Summerslam (2002) and WWE Unforgiven (2002). He has been married to Rena Mero since May 6, 2006. They have two children named, Turk & Duke. Lesnar also has a son and daughter from a previous relationship named, Brock Jr. and Mya Lynn.HONORARY ENTRY
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts (UFC Champion; record: 5-3)
Trivia: is also an amateur wrestler and former NCAA Division I champion - Actor
- Producer
Renzo Gracie is known for Once Upon a Time in Brazil, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) and Warrior Island the Movie.Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (2-time ADCC Gold medalist), Mixed Martial Arts (record: 13-7-1 [1])
Trivia: has been the personal martial arts teacher of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, since 1993
Best seen in MAXIMUM CAGE FIGHTING- Actor
- Transportation Department
Charles David Liddell is an American former mixed martial artist who was the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. Liddell had 23 fights in the UFC. He is widely credited with helping bring MMA into the mainstream of American sports and entertainment. On July 10, 2009, he was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. Liddell was born in Santa Barbara, California, of partial Irish descent. He was raised by his single mother and maternal grandfather, who taught Liddell and his siblings boxing techniques from a very young age. Liddell began studying Koeikan karate at the age of 12; the tattoo on his scalp reads "Koei-Kan".Kenpō, Koei-Kan Karate, Kickboxing (IKF, WKA, WKC & USMTA Champion; record: 20-2), Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (purple belt), Mixed Martial Arts (UFC Champion; UFC Hall of Fame; record: 21-8)
Trivia: along with Frank Shamrock, holds the record for the most UFC title defenses in the light heavyweight division
Best seen in CRADLE 2 THE GRAVE- Stunts
- Actor
Heath Herring was born on 28 March 1978 in Waco, Texas, USA. He is an actor, known for Banshee (2013), Division III: Football's Finest (2011) and LIE (2017).Sambo, Muay Thai, Value Tudo, Mixed Martial Arts (WVC Champion; Bas Rutten Invitational Tournament Champion; record: 28-16 [1])
Trivia: also practices wrestling
Best seen in NEVER SURRENDER- Penn was born to Jay Dee Penn, an Irish American and Loraine Shin, a third generation Korean-American. At the age of seventeen, Penn began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu after being introduced to it by his neighbor, Tom Callos. Callos had put up fliers in local gyms looking for people to train with, and B.J.'s father Jay Dee Penn had called Callos and said his boys were interested. Callos then taught B.J. and his brother what he knew. Shortly thereafter, B.J. moved to San Jose, California to begin training at AKA with Dave Camarillo and Bob Cooke, who he lived with and became close friends with. It was here during his time in San Jose that he decided to pursue a career in martial arts (albeit not mixed martial arts at the time).Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (black belt; Mundials Gold, Silver & Bronze medalist; CBJJ Gold medalist), Mixed Martial Arts (2-time UFC Champion; record: 16-12-2)
Trivia: earned his Jiu-Jitsu black belt after only three years of study
Best seen in NEVER SURRENDER - Actor
- Producer
Anderson is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and former UFC Middleweight Champion. Silva was the UFC's longest reigning champion and also holds the longest winning and title defense streak in UFC history, with 16 consecutive wins and 10 title defenses, and is the consensus No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world according to ESPN, Sherdog, Yahoo! Sports and other publications. Silva holds notable victories over former champions Carlos Newton, Hayato Sakurai, Chris Leben, Rich Franklin(x2), Dan Henderson, Forrest Griffin and Vitor Belfort. UFC president Dana White has called Silva "the greatest mixed martial artist ever. Anderson Silva was born April 14, 1975, a middle child of four. The son of a poverty stricken family, Silva spent the majority of his childhood with his aunt and uncle, an officer with the Curitiba police force. Silva has three sons and two daughters with his wife, Dayane. Silva appeared in Never Surrender in 2009 and a documentary about his life in the UFC called Like Water, released in 2011.
Silva first began training Jiu Jitsu with neighborhood kids who could afford lessons. By the age of 12, his family was able to set aside enough money to start him in Tae Kwon Do lessons, from which he moved on to Capoeira, before finally settling on Muay Thai at the age of 16.
Before he began his career as a professional fighter, Silva worked at McDonalds, and also as a file clerk. He also considers Spider-Man a personal hero, and has a stated love of comic books and comic book heroes. Film and television is one of his greatest passions and he can see himself heavily immersed in the industry in the future.Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (black belt), Wing Chun, Tae Kwon Do, Muay Thai, Capoeira, Aikido, Mixed Martial Arts (Shooto, Cage Rage & UFC Champion; record: 34-8 [1])
Trivia: holds many UFC records, including ones for most consecutive/successful title defenses, highest significant strike accuracy, and longest title reign
Best seen in NEVER SURRENDER- Rashad Anton Evans is an American mixed martial artist. Evans started his professional career in 2003, he was the Heavyweight winner of The Ultimate Fighter 2 and is also a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, and a 2019 inductee of the UFC Hall of Fame. In 29 fights in MMA he won twenty, lost eight and one draw.Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (black belt), Gaidojutsu (black belt), Mixed Martial Arts (UFC Champion; record: 19-7-1)
Trivia: is a former National Junior College Wrestling Champion and inductee to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame
Best seen in LOCKED DOWN - Georges St-Pierre was born on 19 May 1981 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He is an actor and producer, known for Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Cartels (2016) and Kickboxer: Vengeance (2016).Kyokushin Karate (3rd Dan), Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (black belt), Muay Thai, Mixed Martial Arts (2-time UFC Champion; record: 26-2)
Trivia: is a 3-time Rogers Sportsnet Canadian Athlete of the Year
Best seen in NEVER SURRENDER - Huerta has had a long and difficult early childhood right up to his teen years, overcoming many challenges and has been described as having the "life that Hollywood producers make movies about". Born to Lydia and Rogelio Huerta in Los Angeles, California, he spent the first 6 years of his life in Texas. His father became heavily involved in drugs and alcohol and began an affair with another woman that led to a separation with Lydia.
Huerta's mother became physically abusive, and when Huerta came to school with bruises covering his body, Child Protective Services intervened, placing him in a foster home for a short time. In 1990, Lydia lost the custody battle for Huerta and fled the United States with Huerta, age 7, to her parent's home in El Salvador. Shortly upon arriving, Lydia abandoned Huerta leaving him in the care of his grandparents at the time of the El Salvadoran Civil War. She returned a year later to only leave him on his father's doorstep in Texas. That was the last time he saw his mother. Huerta openly talks about the mental and physical abuse he endured from his father and stepmother in that year. The next year he was relocated to Mexico and left with his father's parents living in poverty. They would often send him out into the streets selling picture frames to tourists to make money. For a brief time, his father and stepmother came back into his life where they moved to the Rio Grande Valley and enrolled him half way through the year into 3rd grade. At 12 his father left home, and soon after Roger was kicked out by his stepmother. He lived on the streets for many years and survived by joining a youth gang. He often slept in alleys and on rooftops, but was encouraged by his friends to remain in school where he could eat a provided breakfast and lunch.
He occasionally stayed with friends and just before his freshman year, his life began to turn around for the better. Maria King, his friend's mother, obtained legal custody of him and the three moved to Austin, Texas where he attended Crockett High School. For one of the first times in his life he found himself in a stable environment and became quite popular in school and joined many of the school's sports teams including football and wrestling. It was there he met Jo Ramirez, his English teacher, where she learned about his troubled childhood in a conversation discussing his future ambitions. Furthermore, Bryan Ashford, the school's wrestling coach, took a special interest in Huerta and continued to support him in division wrestling. Ramirez, already a mother of seven, adopted Huerta in 2002 at the age of 19.
Ashford coached Huerta and with the help of Ramirez, aided him in applying for a collegiate wrestling scholarship. Huerta attends Augsburg College in Minneapolis, Minnesota with one year remaining in a Business Management bachelors degree and resided in St. Paul, Minnesota.Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Mixed Martial Arts (record: 24-9-1 [1])
Trivia: also trained in boxing under Freddie Roach
Best seen in TEKKEN - Actor
- Producer
Quinton Ramone "Rampage" Jackson is an American mixed martial artist, actor and former professional wrestler, who most recently fought in the Bellator MMA. He is a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and unified the Pride Middleweight Championship belt. Due to his eccentric personality and aggressive fighting style, Jackson became a star in Japan during his tenure with Pride FC and following his move to the UFC, he helped pioneer MMA's growth into a worldwide sport.Kickboxing (record: 2-0), Mixed Martial Arts (UFC Champion; Bellator 10 Champion; record: 37-13)
Trivia: is the Wrestling Observer Newsletter's 2007 Most Outstanding Fighter
Best seen in CONFESSIONS OF A PIT FIGHTER- Actor
- Stunts
Keith began his training in 1974 at the age of 14. He started with wrestling and boxing. In 1976 he started with Tae Kwon Do and has a 2nd degree black belt. In 1988 he'd continue his martial arts in Tang Soo Do, and again, received a 2nd degree black belt. Keith also trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and submission fighting.
Keith participated in the UFC contests. He defeated the likes of Joe Son. There he got his nickname; The Giant Killer. Later in Roselle, Illinois, Keith would open his own martial arts school; Hackney's Combat Academy where he is an instructor.Tae Kwon Do (2nd Dan), Tang Soo Do, Kenpo (3rd Dan), Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts (Martial Arts Hall of Fame entry; record: 2-2)
Trivia: earned his nickname "the Giant Killer" by defeating the 6'8", 650 lb. Emmanuel Yarborough in his first UFC match
Best seen in SUPERFIGHTS- Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira was born in Salvador, Brazil. Better known as Minotauro, is a retired Brazilian mixed martial artist known for his technical mastery of Brazilian jiu-jitsu. He competed in the heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is a former Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion. He won most of his fights via submissions.Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Mixed Martial Arts (PRIDE & WEF Champion; Black Belt Hall of Fame entry; record: 34-10-1 [1])
Trivia: boasts wins over six former UFC champions - Randy Couture, Ricco Rodriguez, Tim Sylvia, Josh Barnett, Mark Coleman and Dan Henderson
Best seen in THE EXPENDABLES - "Oleg makes an impression." On his DVD commentary for "Righteous Kill" (2008), director Jon Avnet remarks that he needed a powerful actor to play Russian mob enforcer Yevgeny Mugalat, a character who survives six gunshots at close range. International star Oleg Taktarov, born in Sarov, Russia, proved uniquely capable of fulfilling Avnet's demanding expectations. When Oleg first appears on camera as Mugalat, the director states emphatically in the audio commentary that the actor "makes an impression." Long before "Righteous Kill," Oleg already left global audiences with memorable impressions as "The Russian Bear," a UFC champion who took unconventional paths up to the top of the world's most difficult professions: acting and fighting.
Today, Oleg ranks among Russia's three most popular movie stars and its highest paid actors. His frank autobiography, "Up To The Top," is a best seller in Russia where Oleg's series "The Guardian" was also a number one television show. In America, Oleg works with the A List of actors and directors in hit blockbusters. He will play one of the leads with Adrien Brody and Topher Grace in "Predators" (2010), produced and written by action film innovator Robert Rodriguez. Oleg's distinguished list of achievements began while he was only a child in Sarov, a home to some of Russia's most eminent scholars and scientists. By age twelve, he was a recognized martial arts expert throughout the country.
Before he came to America in 1994 to pursue his dream of acting in the movies, Oleg Taktarov was an established global hero with records as the World Sambo Champion, the Russian National Judo Champion, and a four-time European and Asian Jujitsu Champion. Just six months after his arrival in the United States, Oleg defeated David "Tank" Abbott in July 1995 and became the reigning UFC Champion. At his classic 1996 "Superbrawl" with Ken Shamrock in Buffalo, New York, Oleg's fans in the U.S. audience waved signs that declared, "Russian Bear becomes American Hero!"
With the momentum of his UFC success and an enthusiastic American fan base to support him, Oleg learned English and studied acting at the prestigious L.A. Playhouse. After minor roles in a handful of Hollywood movies including "Air Force One" (1997), Oleg beat a thousand actors competing in auditions for his first significant film part as one of the antagonists in John Herzfeld's "15 Minutes" (2001) starring Robert DeNiro.
Again, Oleg made an unforgettable impression in "15 Minutes" as an unrelenting baddie, who aspires to be a movie director and steals a camcorder to photograph the criminal mayhem he inflicts upon Manhattan. During the shoot, Robert DeNiro shared acting advice with Oleg who returned the favor with pointers for more realistic fight scenes. The two were reunited for Avnet's "Righteous Kill" (2008), also starring Al Pacino.
After "15 Minutes," Oleg played charismatic heroes in "Red Serpent" (2002) and in the remake of "Rollerball" (2002). Reflecting events in his own life as a fighter, Oleg's character in "Rollerball" incites wild cheering by the fans in a Kazakhstan arena when he resists the dictates of a greedy sports league owner played by Jean Reno. Oleg continued to build his impressive resume' in American movies and television series with performances in "Bad Boys II" (2003), "National Treasure" (2004), "Alias" ("The Two," 2003), and "Navy NCIS" ("Judgment Day," 2008). He returned to movies depicting the brutal street culture of New York City with his riveting performances in "Rockaway" (2007) and "We Own the Night" (2007) with Mark Wahlberg and Joaquin Phoenix. James Gray, the director of "Night," compared Oleg to a "young Charles Bronson," another dynamic Hollywood actor of Russian heritage.
Oleg's dramatic leading work in American films has proven that he can deliver both big moments and subtle ones. In "Rockaway" (2007), he quietly recounts a brutal memory of his character's service in Afghanistan with harrowing pain. In "Montana" (2008), Oleg's sympathetic hero Nikolai escapes from his adversaries into the streets of Los Angeles where he is befriended and hidden by a single mother and her son. Before the final showdown, Nikolai symbolically mends the fences between the everyday people of the U.S. and Russia. Oleg's empathetic performance of a Russian seeking a new life in America enables the film to succeed on many levels as a personal drama, crime adventure and a plea for understanding. At the premiere of "Montana," Oleg said, "I already knew all about this hero."
During one of his triumphant nights as UFC Champion, Oleg exited the ring after a victory and stated to a reporter, "I can do anything." It was not an idle boast. The fans of Oleg Taktarov know that "Up To The Top" is only the first chapter in volumes of future achievements by the native son of Sarov. When "Rolling Stone" celebrated its fourth year of publication in Russia, the magazine sponsored an exhibit of its celebrity photographs in Moscow. Oleg's dramatic photograph was a highlight of the exhibit, proving that the "Russian Bear" has fought his way to the top and achieved rock star status.Judo, Sambo, Mixed Martial Arts (UFC 6 Champion; record: 17-5-2)
Trivia: fought movie star and fellow martial artist Dolph Lundgren in a celebrity boxing match, winning by split decision
Best seen in COUNTER MEASURES - Actor
- Producer
Dan "The Beast" Severn is a legend in amateur and professional wrestling and Martial Arts. Born in Coldwater, Michigan, on June 9, 1959, he excelled in wrestling in both high school and college. A winner of over 500 amateur victories and numerous titles, he was an alternate on the USA Olympic Wrestling team. Severn turned to professional Wrestling and captured the National Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Title; a title which he held for 10 years. In the early 1990s, he entered the world of Mixed Martial Arts. He excelled, winning numerous world championships. Severn defeated such greats as Ken Shamrock, Conan Silvera, David Abbott, Oleg Taktarov, Anthony Macias, and Bart Vale. His mixed martial arts record is 77-11-7. He is a noted barnstormer and has been defeating opponents on a monthly basis for the past three years.Judo, Sambo, Mixed Martial Arts (UFC Superfight Champion; Elite-1 & CFA Champion; Gladiator Challenge Champion; UFC Hall of Fame entry; record: 101-19-7)
Trivia: is a 13-time AAU Wrestling Champion
Best seen in SWAMP ZOMBIES- Actor
- Stunts
Currently attending graduate school in Chicago for Muscle Activation Therapy, this Munster, Indiana native is proficient in various forms of martial arts. Growing up idolizing Bruce Lee, Stephan has excelled at jujitsu, taekwondo, wrestling, and was a local 2-time Golden Gloves champion in the super-heavyweight division. He is also a personal trainer with a degree in Sports Medicine from Purdue University. Stephan is a member of the Carlson Gracie Team.Tae Kwon Do, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Pan-Am Gold medalist; UFC Hall of Fame entry), Mixed Martial Arts (Ironheart Crown Champion; record: 15-9)
Trivia: is also an amateur boxer and a 2-time divisional Golden Gloves Champion
Best seen in SUPREME CHAMPION