Alexander Volkanovski, the UFC featherweight champion, is set to make his acting debut in the upcoming Street Fighter movie. Announced on September 4, 2025, by the official Street Fighter Instagram account, Volkanovski will play Joe, an American kickboxing champion from the iconic video game series. The film, directed by Danny and Michael Philippou, features a star-packed cast, including Jason Momoa and Cody Rhodes. Volkanovski’s casting adds a combat sports edge to the project, set to release in 2026.
Volkanovski’s New Role
The Street Fighter movie, based on the popular fighting game, casts Volkanovski as Joe, a lesser-known character with blonde hair and a kickboxing background. The role suits Volkanovski’s real-life fighting skills, honed through his 26-4 MMA record and UFC title reigns.
Volkanovski shared his excitement on Instagram, posting, “Stoked to be part of this epic project! Joe’s ready to throw down on the big screen.” The film’s cast includes Andre Koji as Ryu, Noah Centineo as Ken, Cody Rhodes as Guile, 50 Cent as Balrog, Jason Momoa as Blanka, David Dastmalchian as M. Bison, and Roman Reigns as Akuma.
Alexander Volkanovski, 36, has a 26-4 MMA record (13-3 UFC). He reclaimed the featherweight title against Diego Lopes via decision at UFC 314 on April 12, 2025, in Miami, overcoming a knockdown and vision issues. Volkanovski joined an elite group of fighters, including Georges St-Pierre, who reclaimed a title after a KO loss. He’s now targeting a title defense against Lerone Murphy in December 2025.
Other MMA stars have transitioned to acting. Randy Couture starred in The Expendables series after his UFC career, leveraging his fighting fame. Gina Carano played Cara Dune in The Mandalorian, drawing on her MMA background. Ronda Rousey appeared in Furious 7 and Entourage, though her acting received mixed reviews.
