Jake Gyllenhaal UFC fight: Did the American actor really compete in an MMA bout?

Some fans wonder whether Jake Gyllenhaal competed in an actual MMA bout due to his notable appearance at UFC 285. So did he? As it turns out, the actor did not. Instead, he filmed several scenes at the UFC 285 ceremonial weigh-ins and during the event itself, including a faux fight.

The fight was filmed during an intermission at UFC 285 and Gyllenhaal taking part in a walkout and faux fight inside the octagon. Both his weigh-in and octagon scenes featured ex-UFC middleweight Jay Hieron, whom he slapped in the weigh-in scene and 'knocked out' in the fight scene.

Check out Jake Gyllenhaal's octagon scene with Jay Hieron in the clip below:

Both scenes were filmed for a 2024 remake of classic action film 'Road House,' which features Gyllenhaal in the lead role. Furthermore, it also features all-time great UFC star Conor McGregor, though in what capacity remains to be seen. Gyllenhaal will play the role of an ex-UFC middleweight employed at a roadhouse.

The film is scheduled for release on March 21, 2024. It isn't the first time that McGregor has been linked to the film industry. He was previously contacted to play the role of Hawk in 'xXx: Return of Xander Cage' but declined in favor of focusing on his then-upcoming rematch with Nate Diaz.

Thus, the role was given to former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping, with whom the Irishman had a brief feud over McGregor's belief that Bisping was ungrateful for supposedly being gifted the role. He even demanded a percentage of Bisping's earnings from the film.

The pair's feud escalated to the point of physical violence being threatened, but thankfully, cooler heads prevailed and both men now seem to be cordial.

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Jake Gyllenhaal also sat cage-side at UFC 285

After wrapping up the filming of his scenes at UFC 285, Jake Gyllenhaal joined his 'Road House' co-star and friend Conor McGregor cage-side, where both men sat in the company of the Irishman's fiancée, Dee Devlin. They both witnessed Jon Jones' impressive triumph over Ciryl Gane to capture heavyweight gold.

Check out Jake Gyllenhaal enjoying Conor McGregor's company at UFC 285 in the clip below:

In doing so, Gyllenhaal joined a long list of celebrities who have appeared cage-side at various UFC events. However, he does not seem to have made any more cage-side appearances at UFC events since.