Irish MMA icon Conor McGregor recently stepped into the world of acting with his debut in the remake of the 1989 action hit ‘Road House’. He starred in the movie alongside Hollywood icon Jake Gyllenhaal.
The film is directed by Doug Liman and portrays McGregor in the role of Knox. Gyllenhaal plays the role of Dalton, the character which was originally played by the late Patrick Swayze. In this version, Dalton works as a bouncer at a roadhouse in the Florida Keys after leaving the UFC.
He unknowingly starts a conflict with a businessman (portrayed by McGregor) who has been tormenting the island people for years.
In McGregor’s portrayal of Knox, his character engages in intense altercations with Gyllenhaal’s Dalton. During the promotion of the movie, the MMA icon made a controversial statement, saying that being a professional actor was more difficult than competing in the UFC.
Veteran UFC analyst Joe Rogan did not agree with the statement and criticised him. He talked about the physical and mental rigors endured by competitors, particularly referencing McGregor’s own experiences in the octagon.
Rogan said: “Listen to me… That’s not true, even for him. Okay, act in Road House or fight Khabib again. Shut the f*ck up. That is crazy talk. He broke his f*cking leg in a fight. That’s harder. That’s way harder than f*cking acting. The guy is promoting a movie. He’s a great promoter. He’s the best promoter in the history of the sport.”
Despite differing opinions, McGregor’s statement has sparked conversations within both the entertainment and sports communities.
McGregor’s venture into acting comes amidst the buzz surrounding Road House’s reception. The film has garnered positive reviews from critics and audiences alike. This has prompted discussions of potential sequels or prequels centered around McGregor’s character, Knox.
While McGregor explores new horizons in the entertainment industry, there are rumors regarding his return to the UFC octagon. Speculation suggests that McGregor may face former Bellator MMA champion Michael Chandler at UFC 303.
Although there has been no announcement from UFC’s end, McGregor said that he was going to “greatest comeback in combat sports history.”