Whether it all started out as fight prep for a movie role (here’s looking at you, Ryan Gosling) or real-life self defense (sorry about those bullies, Ryan Phillipe!), celebrities can’t seem to get enough mixed martial arts these days. And we can’t say we blame them.
MMA isn’t just a killer total-body workout that ups your physical toughness, but it makes you mentally tough as well. It teaches disclipline. It builds confidence. It helps you stay calm in the face of chaos. (That sounds like a pretty good Hollywood survival strategy, doesn't it?)
So here, 12 stars who can kick your butt, yet keep their cool doing it. Click through—and get ready for a surprise or two.
Phillipe’s got a shy demeanor, but don’t mess with this Hollywood star. He's got a black belt in tae kwon do and has been studying the ancient art for quite some time—he actually started as a child to fight off school bullies. Awww.
Phillipe’s got a shy demeanor, but don’t mess with this Hollywood star. He's got a black belt in tae kwon do has been studying this ancient art for quite some time—he actually started as a child to fight off school bullies.
Christian Bale was totally kung-fu fighting for his role as Batman in the most recent installment of the franchise, The Dark Knight Rises. In fact, the actor studies kung-fu at the Wing Chun Kung-fu Academy in Los Angeles.
Warning: We are about to reveal the secret to Kobe Bryant’s defensive game— it’s called Jeet Kune Do, or shall we say, “The Way of the Intercepting Fist.” Founded in 1967 by famed martial artist Bruce Lee, this offensive style is based on striking first and always visualizing where your opponent will go next. Sounds like a good b-ball strategy to us.
Funnyman Ashton Kutcher is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu fan. He keeps his lean physique by practicing the sport, which promotes the idea that you can defend yourself against anyone as long as you have the right moves — no matter what your opponent’s size may be. (Kutcher’s such a devotee, he’s even travelled to Brazil to practice. That's serious!)
Beach-bumming celeb and Fast and Furious franchise star Paul Walker says being a brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu has helped him tame the craziness of Hollywood. “I try to be relaxed, and it’s hard in this environment but BJJ’s a good outlet. It keeps you flexible and competitive with yourself,” Walker explains. “But more than anything, it keeps you in really good shape and compliments so many of the sports I like to do — like surfing especially, since flexibility is so important.”
Gosling trained with Muy Thai master Kiu Puk two hours a day, four days a week to get ready for his role in next year's Only God Forgives. But his devotion to the traditional Thai combat sport didn't stop at the gym door—Puk said Gosling also stuck to a Thai-style diet of fish, green vegetables and rice to stay ripped.
Twilight superstar Taylor Lautner was practically born doing martial art; he’s been competing since the age of six and has even won medals in the discipline. “It taught me a lot of things at a young age—discipline, hard work—nothing comes without hard work,” Lautner told E!.
He’s known for his chiseled abs, but actor Jason Statham actually practices jiu jitsu to relax. “It brings a bit of peace,” he says. “Any of the guys who have a skill within that fighting world whether it be judo, jiu jitsu, boxing, Thai boxing—they’re very peaceful people and the only aggression they have time for is when it’s in a competition type role.” Who knew you could tone up and relax all at once?
Jiu-jitsu obsessed actor/director Guy Ritchie has a fully equipped home fighting ring where he trains with the best teachers, literally—he's been known to bring world champion Roger Gracie in for private sessions. Ritchie also practiced karate for 14 years before getting into jiu-jitsu, earning a black belt in the former and a brown belt in the latter, and he sayse the physicality of the sport isn’t as important as the deeper lessons you learn. “You find out how conceptual pain is,” Ritchie says.
Homeland’s Diego Klattenhoff uses way more than cardio to stay fit. He practices Muay Thai and kickboxing to keep up his Marine Corp-like physique. This is guy is serious about his workouts and aspires to look like the Spartans in 300—not a bad source of inspiration, right?
He might have played the infamous lazy father, Al Bundy, on Married With Children, but actor Ed O’Neill is anything but lazy. This 66-year-old has been studying Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under famed BJJ instructor Rorion Gracie for over 22 years. "It’s the greatest achievement of my life, apart from my children,” O’Neill stated in the documentary I am Bruce Lee.
Actor Kevin James may not be the first guy who pops into your head when you hear MMA, but don’t be fooled by his stocky stature—this guy is strong. In his most recent flick, Here Comes the Boom, James showed off his MMA fighting skills by playing a teacher turned fighter. “I've always been a fan of UFC, and I've always wanted to make this type of movie where MMA would be really inspirational,” he said.
This action star has definitely still got it. This 48-year-old practices Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with one of the world’s best, Royce Gracie, who—along with his brother, Rorian Gracie—brought the sport to the U.S. after their father started it in Brazil.