As mixed martial arts continues its ascent towards the top of the mainstream sports world, more and more celebrities are taking notice and getting involved.
Whether it's for a blockbuster movie role or just a personal fitness goal, several A-list actors have begun training in the #MMA grappling discipline of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It's pretty surprising how many stars like to spend their free time in #BJJ gis.
Check out our list of actors you never knew trained BJJ below.
Chadwick Boseman
A photo posted by Rigan Machado (@riganmachado) on
Dec 23, 2016 at 12:56pm PST
Since joining the #Marvel cinematic universe, #BlackPanther actor Chadwick Boseman seems to have taken a liking to BJJ. Boseman has been spotted training with famed instructor to the stars Rigan Machado.
Russell Brand
[[yt:A5O5tnmTv5Q]]
Comedian, actor, and activist Russell Brand recently revealed that Joe Rogan's podcast inspired him to add BJJ, yoga, and kickboxing to his training regimen. "Now I do kickboxing once a week. I do jiu-jitsu once a week," Brand said on Rogan's show. "What I'm facisnated about is these new ways of being a man."
Millie Bobby Brown
Thanks @phoenixmma_bournemouth! For my new stripe love my instructor Trevor! #trainhard @mikebegleyjj
A photo posted by Millie Bobby Brown (@milliebobby_brown) on
Aug 24, 2016 at 4:29am PDT
When she's not using telekinesis to fight monsters and bullies as Eleven, #StrangerThings actress Millie Bobby Brown can be found on the mats honing her grappling skills. She earned her second stripe on her white belt over the summer.
Dave Bautista
Great day of training with my man @joshraff_ ... good to be back on the mat! Ossssss!!
A photo posted by David Bautista (@davebautista) on
Dec 9, 2016 at 2:32pm PST
#WWE star turned action movie actor Dave Bautista has a long history with martial arts and BJJ, and even has a professional MMA win on his rsum. The #JamesBond and #GuardiansoftheGalaxy actor currently holds a purple belt in the art.
Scott Caan
@scott_caan @scottcaannation received his #blackbelt. Very cool! @marcusviniciusbhjjc @vinnydilucia @equipe_mansor #bjj #bjjlife #bjjlifestyle #jiujitsu #jiujitsulife #jiujitsulifestyle #mma #mmalife #judo #sambo #wrestling #martialarts #celebrity #holdfast #holdfastfightgear #victoryisalwayspossible #embracethegrind #hardworkpaysoff
A photo posted by Michael Falco (@holdfastfightgear) on
Feb 1, 2016 at 5:10am PST
Hawaii Five-0 and Ocean's Eleven actor Scott Caan is a serious fiend on the mats. The son of the legendary #Godfather star James Caan is a bona fide BJJ black belt.
Nicolas Cage
[[yt:woMOoJPOPW4]]
Nicolas Cage may be one of the zanier personalities in Hollywood (which is saying something), but the former #GhostRider star is also among the list of celebrities who've trained in jiu-jitsu, and has allegedly worked with UFC pioneer Royce Gracie. He recently had to use his martial arts skills to help subdue a very angry Vince Neil.
Jim Carrey
[[yt:h_vvI26NnwE]]
Although not much is known about Jim Carrey's BJJ knowledge, he's rumored to have a brown belt in the art. Take that with a grain of salt, though, as we've really only ever seen his martial arts moves on In Living Color.
Henry Cavill
I had the pleasure and the honour of training at the Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu academy in Florida. A huge thank you to professors @stanbeckbjj and @juanr200 for your hospitality, patience and of course your knowledge. #Bjj #RogerGracie #RenzoGracie
A photo posted by Henry Cavill (@henrycavill) on
Sep 3, 2016 at 5:02pm PDT
It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... #Superman in a gi? Yup, #BatmanvSuperman star Henry Cavill spent some time working on his grappling moves at Renzo Gracie's academy in Florida over the summer.
Vin Diesel
[[yt:Ib4s6Ce_I3o]]
Like his late #FastandFurious co-star Paul Walker, #xXx actor Vin Diesel is an avid fight fan who's got some BJJ experience. Walker actually introduced Diesel to his coach Rigan Machado, who helped work on some of the choreography for Furious 7.
Robert Duvall
A photo posted by Rigan Machado (@riganmachado) on
Jan 6, 2016 at 2:33am PST
Proving that age is just a number, legendary actor Robert Duvall and his wife are also on Machado's list of famous students.
Scott Eastwood
Thanks for the great day of training @mariosperry and Alex Prates @jackkingsley @guixdasilva Getting in fighting shape for #pacificrim ! #Sydney #australia #lovethisplace #neverleaving
A photo posted by Scott Eastwood (@scotteastwood) on
Nov 4, 2016 at 8:47pm PDT
Like his dad Clint Eastwood, #SuicideSquad actor Scott Eastwood is also a badass. The younger Eastwood is an active BJJ student who currently holds a blue belt.
Sean Patrick Flanery
It's an honor and a privilege to be apart of this team and family. Congratulations on everyone's journey! @hollywoodbjj @antunesrodrigo @subconsciousbjj @paragonbjjacademy
A photo posted by Sean Patrick Flanery (@spflanery) on
Sep 14, 2016 at 11:46am PDT
While most fans know Sean Patrick Flanery for serving up vigilante justice opposite Daryl from #TheWalkingDead in the cult classic The Boondock Saints, the actor is also known for his martial arts skills. A black belt in BJJ, Flanery teaches the grappling art when he's not beating up bad guys on the big screen.
Clark Gregg
Honored to put in first session of 2017 w @streetsportsbjj in this @shoyoroll #rollsgracie memorial gi. #bjj
A photo posted by Clark Gregg (@clarkgregg) on
Jan 3, 2017 at 6:01pm PST
Another reminder not to mess with Agent Coulson, #AgentsofShield star Clark Gregg is a BJJ addict who worked his way towards black belt status.
Tom Hardy
Post by sam.sheriff.566.
Having starred in the MMA drama Warrior, it's not a huge surprise that actor Tom Hardy has some skills on the mats. He's even trained jiu-jitsu with the Royal Marines.
Charlie Hunnam
My brother good luck on your movie #bjj #bjjgirls #bjjlife #bjjtraining #bjj4ever #bjjmojo #movienight #moviestars #movienews #hollywood #hollywoodforever
A photo posted by Rigan Machado (@riganmachado) on
Sep 1, 2016 at 11:03am PDT
#SonsofAnarchy star Charlie Hunnam is yet another famous face who likes to get in some training with Machado. It'll be interesting to see if Hunnam shows off any of his BJJ skills in the highly-anticipated flick King Arthur: Legend of the Sword.
Kevin James
[[yt:b-semS0l5o8]]
If you're wondering why so many UFC stars show up in Kevin James projects, it's because the comedian and actor is a huge MMA fan who also trains from time to time. James had to work on his BJJ and other fight skills to prep for a starring role in the MMA comedy Here Comes the Boom.
Nick Jonas
Gettin it today... Two a days in prep for Kingdom season 3
A photo posted by Nick Jonas (@nickjonas) on
Dec 8, 2016 at 4:38pm PST
As the star of the MMA drama Kingdom, you can bet that Nick Jonas has spent time on the mats over the years. Judging by his photos, the former Jonas brother has been hitting the weights too.
Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson at Beverly Hills Academy .
A photo posted by Rigan Machado (@riganmachado) on
Jan 2, 2016 at 5:22pm PST
You can thank Machado for helping #Avengers actress Scarlett Johansson work on her BJJ moves for her role as the #BlackWidow. The Russian super spy has utilized her grappling skills on several occasions, from fighting security guards in Iron Man 2 to fending off aliens in Avengers: Age of Ultron.
Joel Kinnaman
Back in LA and learning some Judo with the great Chad Stahelski @timconnolly_one @87elevenaction #alteredcarbon
A video posted by Joel Kinnaman (@joelkinnaman) on
Jan 17, 2017 at 2:42pm PST
After training with 'real life Rick Flags' for Suicide Squad, actor Joel Kinnaman has become enthralled with the grappling arts. He frequently trains in BJJ and judo.
Ashton Kutcher
A photo posted by Rigan Machado (@riganmachado) on
Jul 7, 2016 at 4:32pm PDT
One of Machado's most recognizable students, Ashton Kutcher has become a serious BJJ practitioner and loves to rep his professor's logo. Kutcher currently holds a purple belt.
Mario Lopez
Kickin off 2017 on the right foot... #Jiujitsu #GracieBarra #DadAndNico
A photo posted by Mario Lopez (@mariolopezextra) on
Jan 5, 2017 at 5:52pm PST
Former Saved by the Bell heartthrob and GSP's famous BFF Mario Lopez has turned BJJ into a family affair. The actor and TV personality likes to train with his son Nico at Gracie Barra.
Chuck Norris
[[yt:WmMPL89fvds]]
Action movie icon and martial arts master Chuck Norris was one of the first people to get on the BJJ before it exploded in popularity. The bearded butt kicker has a black belt in the art (as well as many, many other fighting styles).
Ed O'Neill
[[yt:tSSt5OQ4zHc]]
No joke, Married With Children's Al Bundy is a
under UFC co-founder Rorion Gracie. Ed O'Neill earned his black belt in 2007 and called the experience, "the greatest achievement of my life, apart from my children."
Freddie Prinze Jr.
1872898106265665 FreddiePrinzeJr
When he's not getting beat up in a boxing ring by Victor Ortiz, Freddie Prinze Jr. likes to test his skills on the mats during BJJ practice. The former Scooby-Doo actor holds a blue belt in the discipline.
Keanu Reeves
A photo posted by Rigan Machado (@riganmachado) on
Oct 27, 2016 at 10:21pm PDT
As if you needed another reason not to test #JohnWick's patience, star Keanu Reeves has put a lot of time into his BJJ training to prepare for the high octane role. As you've probably already guessed, Reeves is yet another high-profile student of Machado.
Teri Reeves
[[yt:oE_mGNyQJ0c]]
Chicago Fire and Once Upon a Time actress Teri Reeves is an avid BJJ competitor and loves to spend her free time on the mats. She currently holds a brown belt under professor Romulo Barral.
Theo Rossi
#Reposting @nydailynews with @instarepost_app -- KA-POW @theorossi from Netflix's "Luke Cage" (and "Sons of Anarchy") stopped by our #NYCC photo shoot to deliver some power blows and great looks. (: @wawawomp/New York Daily News)
A video posted by Theo Rossi (@theorossi) on
Oct 6, 2016 at 6:14pm PDT
Long before he was pestering #LukeCage as Shades, actor Theo Rossi was hitting the mats to stay in shape. He told Fight! magazine in 2012 that he began training with Royce Gracie after the BJJ legend visited the set of Sons of Anarchy.
Wesley Snipes
Beverly Hills Jiujitsu
A photo posted by Rigan Machado (@riganmachado) on
Jan 5, 2016 at 12:56pm PST
The #Blade star is mostly known for his skills in the striking arts, but Wesley Snipes also has some experience with BJJ thanks to Hollywood's favorite grappling trainer, Rigan Machado.
Jason Statham
[[yt:g2Yfw-RcVHU]]
The action movie actor has long been a proponent and student of BJJ and the various styles used in MMA. "Any kind of martial art or discipline of that nature actually breeds a bit of peace," Jason Statham said of MMA in a past interview. "You find any of the guys that have a certain skill within that fighting world, whether it be judo, kickboxing Thai boxing, jiu-jitsu - they're very, very peaceful people."
Vince Vaughn
[[yt:1Y1G9USVx5s]]
After signing his daughter up for an anti-bullying class, Vince Vaughn caught the BJJ bug himself and decided to start training. He was recently featured in a "Gracie Breakdown" video opposite Ryron and Rener.
Marlon Wayans
https://www.facebook.com/10153128812419076
He may have never gotten the chance to play Robin on the big screen, but that hasn't stopped Marlon Wayans from working on his crime fighting skills. The comedian and actor was spotted putting on a gi a few years ago to train BJJ with Chris Light at the Gracie Academy in Beverly Hills.
Rebel Wilson
Sorry Niko #PitchPerfect3 #StuntTraining
A video posted by Rebel Wilson (@rebelwilson) on
Jan 16, 2017 at 2:42pm PST
Over the years, #PitchPerfect star Rebel Wilson has been spotted getting some time in on the mats at Hollywood gyms. Judging by her Instagram feed, though, she seems to like striking a bit more.
Who's your favorite celebrity BJJ practitioner? Let us know in the comments below.
hardcorechampions
