Wollongong's UFC champion Alex Volkanovski is stepping out of the octagon and onto the silver screen, securing a role in the upcoming Street Fighter movie set for release in October 2026.
A Champion's New Arena: From Fighter to Film Star
The 37-year-old athlete will portray the character Joe in the major motion picture, joining an elite list of combat sports icons who have transitioned to Hollywood. This lineage includes legends like Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, and contemporaries such as Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and John Cena.
Volkanovski expressed his excitement about the film project, stating he loved the experience and is eager to see himself on the big screen. His move into acting coincides with a significant milestone for his home team.
A Mural That 'Bowled Over' the Featherweight King
In a recent visit to Port Kembla, Volkanovski came face-to-face with a colossal mural of himself adorning the side of the new Freestyle Fighting Gym on Shellharbour Road. The artwork left the typically composed champion stunned.
"It's unreal. It's awesome," Volkanovski told local media. "I didn't realise it was gonna be that big, to be quite honest. I reckon that'll be the biggest mural of myself anywhere."
The striking piece was created by Brisbane-based artist and professional martial artist Josh Kuhne. Kuhne, who has trained with the Freestyle team, drove to Wollongong to complete the project as a way of giving back. The design features a powerful image of Volkanovski mid-roar, accompanied by a tiger, blending graffiti elements with a classic portrait style.
A World-Class Facility Ready for a Community
The mural marks the entrance to the gym's new, expansive premises, set to open in early to mid-January 2026. Owner and Volkanovski's long-time coach, Joe Lopez, said the move from their former Windang home of over 20 years was bittersweet but necessary for growth.
"Parking and space were the two things we were lacking at the other place. This place has got both in abundance," Lopez explained.
The new facility is a two-level, state-of-the-art performance centre. The downstairs area will house strength and conditioning equipment, while the upstairs will be dedicated to martial arts, featuring bags, mats, and jiu-jitsu ramps. A final phase will add recovery amenities like hot and cold tubs.
Lopez emphasised the gym's commitment to the local community, noting the ability to accommodate over 100 more members. The project was supported by sponsors including Windang Bowling Club and Resinic Solar & Batteries.
Homecoming Fight and Future Plans
Volkanovski plans to use the new gym as his primary training base ahead of his highly anticipated return to a New South Wales octagon. He is scheduled to face Diego Lopes at Sydney's Qudos Bank Arena on February 1. This will be his first fight in his home state since 2017.
Despite being 37, Volkanovski firmly dismissed rumours of retirement surrounding this bout. He expressed confidence in not only winning but doing so impressively, with the aim of securing another fight by mid-year.
"I know there's a lot of rumours that this is my retirement fight... that's not the plans," he stated. Looking beyond Lopes, he identified undefeated fighters Lerone Murphy and Movsar Evloev as exciting potential contenders for a future title-eliminator bout.
For Volkanovski, the new gym, the giant mural, and his Hollywood debut all signal an exciting new chapter, proving his legacy extends far beyond the confines of the UFC cage.
