Martial arts are often practiced for a variety of reasons, such as self-defense, fitness, recreation or hobby, or to boost self-confidence. Well-known forms of martial arts include boxing, kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (BJJ) and karate. Celebrities are some of the most powerful people in our culture. Actors, musicians, models and other media moguls inspire their audiences and bring about change on a personal and cultural level. With the UFC’s entry into the mainstream this has helped shed some martial art stigma. Celebrity participation has also helped bring martial arts to a wider audience. Let’s look at these 5 celebrities that could kick your ass!
5 – Tom Hardy
Tom has played many onscreen bad-ass characters, Bane, Charles Bronson and Both Reggie and Ronnie Kray. Despite being fairly short at 5’9 he carry’s himself very well and has played some of the most intimidating personas in film history.
Hardy has mentioned in interviews that training in martial arts has helped him with his acting, as it requires focus, discipline, and physical fitness, all of which can be applied to his craft.
Does that mean he can fight? Well if you caught him pre 2020 you might have stood a chance but since then he has taken up an interest in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (bjj) and has won numerous competitions in the sport already. Currently he holds a blue belt but is taking the sport very seriously and I expect we will see him climb the ranks very soon.
Tom hardy jiujitsu win
4 – Joe Rogan
Rogan is known throughout the combat sports scene due to his appearances at UFC as commentary and also having the largest podcast on the planet. The Joe Rogan experience averages around 11 million listeners an episode and has featured the likes of Elon Musk, Mike Tyson & Kevin Hart. He has also had many famous UFC fighters on and has dedicated episodes named “The MMA show”
A man in his 50’s who commentates for the UFC and is only 5’7. Doesn’t sound very intimidating does it? Joe trains kickboxing almost every single day and competed in judo growing up, his kicks are terrifying.
Not only are his kicks better than many UFC fighters he also has a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Joe is definitely a guy you do not want to mess with. Joe has often spoken about the benefits of martial arts training on his podcast, including the physical and mental health benefits.
3 – Wesley Snipes
Blade – also known as his real name Wesley Snipes is also guy you should think twice about confronting. A master of many martial arts – 5th degree black belt in Shotokan Karate, a 2nd degree black belt in Hapkido. He also trains Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)
He has practised Martial arts since he was a child and ALMOST fought Joe Rogan in the UFC but later pulled out. Joe talked about this on his podcast. He stated that Wesley was having money problems and they were looking at doing the event in aid of this.
2 – Taylor Lautner
Yes the wolf from Twilight.. Lautner has practised Karate since he was 6 years old and was winning tournaments with just one year of training showing great dedication and potential within the sport. He was ranked number one in the world for NASKA’s Black Belt Open at the age of 11.
Taylor’s athleticism has supported his acting career making it possible to do his own stunts where many actors would be unable to do so.
1 – Jason Statham
Statham has played some of the most tough, gritty characters in movie history – Bishop, Turkish & Shaw from the Fast and furious series. Always plays the tough guy but is he really?
Statham practised many martial arts growing up including Kung-Fu, Kick Boxing and Karate but it wasn’t his main passion. His main attribute is his athleticism. Always in shape and was a member of Britain’s national diving team, even competing for England at the commonwealth games. Jason has a good base knowledge of martial arts but he was never an expert. That being said it wouldn’t be an easy fight.
Do you think these 5 celebrities could kick your ass? Which celebrity would you most likely avoid?
How tall is Joe Rogan
Despite most reports stating he is 5’8 it appears based on photos with other fighters he is more in the region of 5’6-5’7
How tall is Tom Hardy
espite being fairly short at 5’9 he carry’s himself very well and has played some of the most intimidating personas in film history.