UFC heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones has recently found himself trending, but not for his fights or controversies. This time, it’s for his acting skills in the newly released Netflix series La Cage (The Cage in English), starring French actor Melvin Boomer. Interestingly, the show was released exactly one week before Jones’ highly anticipated return to the octagon at UFC 309 after a long layoff. He will face former two-time heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic in a grueling five-round battle.

Amidst the buzz surrounding the upcoming Madison Square Garden event, Jones’s move has been seen by fans as a potential backup career. He has hinted that this upcoming bout may be the farewell to his MMA career. So, without wasting any more time, let’s dive into La Cage and everything we know about it.

Everything we know about Jon Jones and his role in ‘The Cage’

In the series The Cage, Jon Jones plays himself, resembling a Rocky Balboa figure to Adonis Creed. He embarks on a journey to mentor a young, aspiring MMA fighter named Tyler (played by Melvin Boomer), who aims to carve out a legacy in the French MMA circuit.

However, Tyler’s journey is filled with setbacks, including massive debts that his parents are struggling with. With Jon Jones’s guidance, Tyler works to overcome these obstacles and become a full-fledged MMA fighter. In the series, Tyler also seeks out UFC Hall of Famer Georges St-Pierre and former interim champion Ciryl Gane, who play themselves as well.

While Jones shines in his role, Georges St-Pierre arguably outperforms him, showcasing his experience in front of the camera. For GSP, this isn’t his first time acting, but it’s a solid effort for Jones in his debut. Jones now joins the ranks of UFC champions who have ventured into the film industry, following in the footsteps of Ronda Rousey and, more recently, Conor McGregor.

How much do Conor McGregor, Ronda Rousey & others get paid for movies?

Hollywood and MMA fighters often go hand in hand. After years of training and taking a toll on their bodies, what could be a better profession for them after retirement than movies—especially action films where fighters showcase what they’ve learned from their careers in the ring? A prime example of this is Conor McGregor, who may not have fought in over three years but has remained in the spotlight with his portrayal of the character “Knox” in the Prime Video film Road House, a remake of the 1989 classic. Starring alongside Jake Gyllenhaal, McGregor’s role seemed to reflect his real-life persona, and the film managed to pull in over 50 million viewers.

For his acting debut, McGregor earned a lump sum of $5.5 million, surpassing WWE star-turned-actor Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. McGregor’s successful transition from the UFC to Hollywood highlights the growing trend of fighters seeking second careers in film, particularly in action genres that align with their physical capabilities and on-screen personas.

But McGregor isn’t the only MMA fighter who has made a successful transition to Hollywood. Ronda Rousey, who began her acting career almost a decade ago, started with The Expendables 3 in 2014. Her career in Hollywood didn’t stop there—she went on to join the Fast & Furious franchise, starring in Furious 7 alongside Vin Diesel and the late Paul Walker.

According to a 2016 report from the website MoneyNation, Rousey earned around $130,000 from her acting career. If we look back further, another UFC fighter-turned-actor is Randy Couture, a six-time UFC champion, who played a key role in The Expendables series alongside Sylvester Stallone and Jason Statham.

Now, all eyes are on Jon Jones. The question remains: after UFC 309, will he follow in the footsteps of fellow fighters and transition into Hollywood, or will he pursue a new direction to shape his legacy? Stay tuned for further updates.