As one of the fastest growing sports in the world, UFC fighters are recognized worldwide, and are recently getting the attention from Hollywood film-makers that realize the marketability of the athletes.
Randy Couture was a multiple time UFC Champion, and he has made a successful career as an actor, appearing in all three “Expendables” movies that have been made. Current women’s champion Ronda Rousey also appeared in Expendables 3, but has also remained an active fighter, and has still finished every opponent that she has faced. With Rousey remaining successful, other fighters that have made this decision have seen more of a decline in their careers. Couture lost his championship shortly before being in the Expendables, and never had a victory over a top 10 opponent afterwards. Rampage Jackson was in the “A Team” and compiled a 2-4 record in the UFC following that role.
It is possible that Jackson and Couture lost motivation to train because they were able to make “easier money” by acting in films. Even though they were high-paid fighters, with acting they did not have to go through the day to day, grueling routine of a training camp for a fight. Rampage actually gained weight to the point that he was 250 pounds, and had to lose 45 pounds to fight Rashad Evans after that. Couture was winding down in age, but it was not until after doing movies, and contract disputes that “The Natural” began to show his age.
A big focus in the UFC women’s bantamweight division is trying to sign Gina Carano. It is highly speculated that her first fight will be against Rousey for the title, if she is signed. The interesting part about this one, is that Carano was in “Fast and Furious 6”, and Rousey will be in “Fast and Furious 7”. There is quite a bit at stake because of this, due to the fact that the casual movie fan sees Carano as a premier martial artist. Anybody can win a fight, but the cards are favored highly for Rousey if this happens. Rousey’s last couple fights have ended in less that a minute, and if Carano is as outclassed as she is expected to be, it could decrease her marketability as a martial artist in Hollywood.
Even though most of the aspects of this article are based on possibilities, it is an interesting factor in this fast growing sport of MMA and it is up to each fighter where they want to put their career focus on, or even try to juggle both.
Thank you for reading. Please take a moment to follow me on Twitter – @LWOSToddP. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter – @LastWordOnSport – and “liking” our Facebook page.
For more great MMA interviews with the biggest fight stars on the planet, remember to check out Hammer MMA Radio on 93.3 CFMU or find their latest episodes on our main page’s sidebar. Hammer Radio features interviews from some of the industry’s biggest stars. You can find the latest on the Hammer @SteveJeffery.
For the latest sports injury news, check out our friends at Sports Injury Alert.
Main Photo
