Actors Who Are Fans of UFC

The UFC’s rise from niche spectacle to global sport has pulled in fans from every corner of entertainment, and Hollywood is no exception. Plenty of leading men follow the promotion closely, show up cageside, and even collaborate with the organization behind the scenes. Some train in combat sports themselves, while others invest in the business or work directly with UFC productions.

Below are male actors with verifiable ties to the UFC—through deals, on-site appearances, training, or film and TV work that intersected with the promotion. Each entry focuses on concrete details so you can see exactly how each connection plays out.

Dwayne Johnson

Dwayne Johnson presented the ceremonial “BMF” belt to Jorge Masvidal inside Madison Square Garden at UFC 244 in November 2019, a high-profile moment that underscored his long-running connection to the promotion. In 2022, his Project Rock brand became an official UFC footwear partner, supplying gear used around fight week operations and appearing across UFC event signage and marketing.

Away from the arena, Johnson regularly engages with UFC athletes and staff and has filmed content with the organization that amplifies major cards. His blockbuster work such as ‘Jumanji’ and ‘Fast & Furious’ overlaps with a training regimen that includes time with striking and grappling coaches, which he has highlighted while interacting with UFC fighters during event weeks.

Mark Wahlberg

Mark Wahlberg joined the group of celebrity investors who took minority stakes in the UFC after the 2016 acquisition by WME–IMG, a move that formalized his support of the promotion. He is a familiar face at pay-per-view events in Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi, frequently appearing on the broadcast during walkouts and post-fight moments.

Wahlberg often cross-trains at Unbreakable Performance Center in Los Angeles, a gym known for hosting active UFC athletes during off-camp visits. He has used platforms tied to films like ‘The Fighter’ and ‘Pain & Gain’ to spotlight combat sports training and has hosted or attended sessions with MMA coaches and fighters in promotional tie-ins.

Jake Gyllenhaal

Jake Gyllenhaal filmed extensive scenes for ‘Road House’ during the official weigh-ins and fight night at UFC 285 in Las Vegas in March 2023, working on the real UFC stage with Bruce Buffer, Jon Anik, and Megan Olivi participating. The production integrated live UFC crowd energy, real broadcast elements, and coordination with the promotion for authenticity.

Preparation for ‘Road House’ involved focused MMA training blocks and choreography with coaches and stunt teams that included former UFC fighter Jay Hieron. Gyllenhaal has also been part of UFC event-week media and attended multiple cards, aligning his film publicity with UFC schedules to reach the sport’s audience.

Tom Hardy

Tom Hardy is a dedicated Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner who has competed in multiple UK tournaments, including events that support REORG, a charity aiding veterans through grappling. His involvement with REORG has included appearances at matside ceremonies and grassroots competitions that often feature UFC-affiliated coaches and athletes.

Hardy’s connection to MMA was cemented when he starred in ‘Warrior’, and he has remained active in grappling while appearing at UFC events in London. He has collaborated with black belt instructors who work with UFC fighters, using his platform to promote jiu-jitsu programs and veterans’ initiatives tied to the broader MMA community.

Jason Statham

Jason Statham has a background in karate, kickboxing, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and he is frequently spotted cageside at UFC events in Las Vegas. He has been included in broadcast crowd shots during main cards, particularly on nights featuring high-profile title fights and international stars.

Training-wise, Statham has spent time with coaches who consult for UFC athletes and has cross-trained with partners connected to the sport. His action-heavy roles in ‘The Expendables’ and ‘Wrath of Man’ have led to gym visits with MMA practitioners, and he maintains relationships with fighters who showcase similar striking and grappling skill sets.

Chris Pratt

Chris Pratt attended UFC 276 in Las Vegas in July 2022 and took part in post-fight media discussions that circulated widely among fans and fighters. He has appeared cageside at multiple UFC cards and often engages with the promotion’s content in the lead-up to marquee events.

Pratt trains at Unbreakable Performance Center, where UFC fighters regularly pass through for strength and conditioning and off-camp work. While promoting films like ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ and ‘The Tomorrow War’, he has highlighted coach-led sessions that borrow from MMA training staples such as pad work, drilling, and controlled grappling.

Vince Vaughn

Vince Vaughn is a reliable cageside presence at UFC pay-per-views in Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi, often featured on international broadcasts during co-main and main events. He attends ceremonial weigh-ins and has been part of on-camera interactions on fight night, reflecting a consistent, long-term fandom.

Vaughn’s interest crosses into gym visits and conversations with coaches and athletes during event weeks, especially around title fights and International Fight Week activities. His film work, including ‘Wedding Crashers’ and ‘Freaky’, has coincided with appearances at UFC fan events and hospitality functions tied to major cards.

Ed O’Neill

Ed O’Neill is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under Rorion Gracie and has trained for decades, making him one of the most experienced grapplers among mainstream actors. He has appeared at academies affiliated with the Gracie family and has attended UFC events in California and Nevada over multiple eras of the promotion.

O’Neill has used interviews connected to ‘Modern Family’ and earlier roles to explain jiu-jitsu fundamentals and how the sport’s growth paralleled the UFC’s expansion. He remains active in the grappling community that supplies many of the UFC’s submission specialists and has supported seminars and demonstrations featuring UFC veterans.

Sylvester Stallone

Sylvester Stallone was part of the 2016 celebrity group that acquired minority stakes in the UFC alongside the WME–IMG deal, aligning his long boxing-themed legacy with modern MMA. He is regularly shown on UFC broadcasts during major Las Vegas cards and has participated in red-carpet arrivals for event-week festivities.

Stallone’s association includes gym visits with UFC champions and contenders during film promotion windows for projects like ‘Creed II’ and ‘The Expendables’. He has taken meetings with UFC leadership and fighters around press junkets, spotlighting the crossover between fight sports storytelling and live MMA competition.

Mel Gibson

Mel Gibson has appeared cageside at multiple UFC events, including a high-profile card in Las Vegas in July 2021 that drew worldwide attention. Broadcasts have highlighted his attendance during walkouts and introductions, placing him among the recurring Hollywood names at major pay-per-views.

Gibson’s filmography, including ‘Braveheart’ and ‘Mad Max’, has intersected with combat-sport promotional cycles, leading to invitations to weigh-ins and hospitality suites associated with UFC event weeks. His appearances span both domestic and international shows, reflecting ongoing interest in the promotion’s biggest fight nights.

Share your picks and the moments you’ve seen from these actors at UFC events in the comments!