Recently, acclaimed British actor David Oyelowo has opened up about his unconventional method of relaxation: watching UFC match.
During a candid conversation on Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend, Oyelowo shared his obsession with mixed martial arts, describing how “watching two men turn each other’s faces into burger meat literally calms me down.”
The revelation surprised even his host, Conan O’Brien, who admitted that UFC fights have the opposite effect on him, creating tension rather than relaxation. But for Oyelowo, there’s a deeper psychological connection to the sport that makes perfect sense when viewed through the lens of his demanding career in Hollywood.
“I have a very bizarre way of relaxing, which is to watch mixed martial arts. I am obsessed with UFC,” Oyelowo confessed. His fascination has become such a regular part of his routine that Saturday afternoons are typically dedicated to this unusual form of stress relief, much to the dismay of his wife and daughter, who “cannot bear it” and find themselves tensing up at the bloody spectacle.
The actor’s obsession developed within the last five to seven years, coinciding with some of his most celebrated work both as an actor and producer. What draws him to the octagon isn’t the violence itself, but rather the certainty of outcome that UFC provides. In an industry where results are never guaranteed, where films might never see release and box office success remains unpredictable, UFC offers something refreshingly definitive.
“Two men or two women go in this cage. They have three five minute rounds. Someone will win. Someone will get a result out of this endeavor,” Oyelowo explained. “There’s something so satisfying that within those 15 minutes, if it’s three rounds or 25 minutes, if it’s five rounds, you will have a result. That just puts me in such a zen place.”
This need for concrete outcomes stems from Oyelowo’s experiences as a Black producer in Hollywood, where he constantly pushes boundaries and seeks to “normalize the marginalized.” His mission to tell groundbreaking stories about previously unseen characters often puts him at odds with an industry that’s “so fear-based, so constantly looking for a comp or what has come before.”
The frustration of operating in this environment, where he’s “always trying to color outside of the lines,” leads to days spent “wanting to bash your head against a wall quite a lot of the time.”
UFC fighters’ dedication also resonates with Oyelowo’s professional experience. He draws parallels between the extensive preparation required for both acting and fighting, noting how fighters must “master five six seven eight different disciplines” and undergo intense training regimens that mirror an actor’s preparation process.
While he finds UFC therapeutic, Oyelowo has no intention of stepping into the octagon himself, joking that he discovered the sport when he was “a bit older” and values keeping his face intact for his acting career.
