Veteran MMA knockout artist Marcus Aurelio makes an appearance on HBO's 'The Last of Us' 

Former MMA fighter Marcus Aurelio features in HBO's video-game adaptation thriller The Last of Us. MMA fans can be happy about the sport bearing some connection to a series that is widely being regarded as the best video game adaptation of all time.

The series, staying true to the original story, is set in a post-pandemic world where a fungal infection has turned victims into monstrosities. Aurelio made an appearance in episode 3, which has also been labeled the best so far.

As per Scott Fontana of the NYPost, Aurelio plays the role of an infected at the fence (an electrical wire set up around town). Aurelio's last credited appearance was as a G.U.N. soldier in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, another video game adaptation.

However, Fontana mistook Aurelio for his namesake, who is a UFC and PRIDE veteran. He wrote on Twitter:

"And here is your #TheLastOfUs to MMA connection: UFC and Pride veteran Marcus Aurelio, who split two fights with Takanori Gomi, as an infected in tonight's new episode. And his last IMDb credit before this? Sonic the Hedgehog 2. The man is all about video game adaptations."

Marcus Aurelio has made a career for himself in TV Series as a stuntman and actor, featuring in several small roles in renowned shows like Batwoman, The Flash, and Riverdale.

'Lelo' is not to be confused with PRIDE and UFC veteran Marcus 'Maximus' Aurelio.

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Marcus Aurelio's MMA career

The son of renowned Capoeria master, Mestre Barrao, Marcus Aurelio has proved that the Brazilian art form can be effectively used to score knockouts. Holding a 6-2 professional record, Aurelio scored three of his wins via a slam, a spinning Capoeria kick and a flying switch kick.

The Brazilian made his pro debut in 2005 on the regional circuit where he lost to Bastien Huveneers. 'Lelo' then racked up a series of highlight reel finishes that saw him make a Bellator appearance. Aurelio dropped a split decision against Christ Franck in his lone Bellator outing in 2012 before venturing into the Japanese circuit.

The Brazilian went on to compete seven times in the Japanese combat sport Ganryujima, which allows for limited ground game and has a moat surrounding the fight arena in some cases.

Ganryujima bouts are not included in Marcus Aurelio's pro record as they fall under the category of tournaments with customized rules. 'Lelo' went 4-3 in Japan with all four of his wins coming via finishes.

Watch Aurelio in a Ganryujima bout below: