American actor Jake Gyllenhaal stole the show at UFC 285 yesterday, and not just because he has a face that could launch a thousand ships. The Hollywood star gave fans a sneak peek into the upcoming remake of the 1989 classic Road House, showing off his shredded physique and his acting chops at the ceremonial weigh-ins as well as inside the octagon.
You won’t believe your eyes until you witness the insane footage (below) with your own two peepers.
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For those unfamiliar with the original film, Road House follows an ex-UFC fighter who takes a job as a bouncer at a roadhouse, where he’s forced to protect the bar from unruly patrons and corrupt businessmen. In the 2023 remake, Gyllenhaal takes on the role of Elwood Dalton, the tough-as-nails bouncer who isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty.
At the ceremonial weigh-ins, Gyllenhaal faced off against actor and ex-UFC fighter Jay Hieron, who plays the role of Jax Harris in the movie. The tension was palpable as the two actors squared off, and Gyllenhaal ended up slapping Hieron in the face.
“I can’t believe I trained six weeks for this st, to fight this piece of st,” Gyllenhaal told announcer Jon Anik. “Just give me the belt now. C’mon motherf***er, let’s go.”
UFC president Dana White also made an appearance, adding to the chaos and excitement of the weigh-ins. It was clear that Gyllenhaal was fully committed to the role of Elwood, and he had the shredded physique to prove it.
But the real action happened on Sunday, during an intermission of the UFC 285 fights. Gyllenhaal walked out to a crowd of unsuspecting fans at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, ready to enact a scene from the movie.
Fixed up by UFC cutman Tate before he walked into the cage, Gyllenhaal bowed and punched the air as he walked onto the canvas. With the iconic UFC attire on, he took on Hieron in a simulated fight for the middleweight championship.
Veteran announcer Bruce Buffer welcomed Gyllenhaal to the stage, and the actor screamed as his face was displayed on the screens above the octagon. As the fighting took place, Gyllenhaal’s character looked dazed as he was pressed up against the fence. But then, in an epic moment, he delivered a flying knee knockout that sent Hieron flying through the air.
Following the move with a flurry of punches, Gyllenhaal showed his prowess as he made his octagon debut. It was clear that the actor had put in the work to learn the art of MMA, and the internet was impressed with his skills.
Once the acting was done, Gyllenhaal sat next to UFC lightweight Conor McGregor, who is also cast in the Road House film. The two actors showcased their boxing skills with a few uppercuts in front of the camera, adding to the entertainment value of the event.
It’s not the first time Gyllenhaal has played a boxer. In the 2015 film Southpaw, he played the role of professional boxer Billy “The Great” Hope. But it’s clear that the actor has taken his training to the next level for the upcoming Road House remake.
Jake Gyllenhaal in ‘SouthPaw’ | Image: Scott Garfield/The Weinstein Company
The Road House filming comes at a time when Jon Jones made a triumphant return to the UFC, winning the heavyweight belt after a three-year hiatus from the organization. Jones, who previously fought in the light-heavyweight division, won via first-round submission against Ciryl Gane in quick fashion, cementing his status as one of the greatest fighters in UFC history.
In a bold move, American rapper Drake placed a $250,000 bet on Jones to win by submission, adding to the excitement and anticipation of the fight. The co-main event saw an iconic upset, as Alexa Grasso submitted the dominant Valentina Shevchenko for the women’s flyweight belt.
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