Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) isn’t just for sweaty dudes in basements or those suspiciously intense guys at the gym who casually mention “rolling” like it’s a normal thing to do with other adults. Nope, it turns out some of Hollywood’s finest are out there getting strangled and loving it.
If you think BJJ is just for cauliflower-eared maniacs who drink protein shakes for fun, think again. This grappling art has lured in actors, musicians, and even former WWE superstars, proving that getting tied into a human pretzel is a universally appealing pastime.
So, which celebrities have ditched their cushy Hollywood lives to train in the gentle (but let’s be honest, not-so-gentle) art? Let’s break down the biggest names who step onto the mats and put their egos (and limbs) on the line.
1. Keanu Reeves – The Nicest Assassin in Hollywood Can Also Choke You
You love him. I love him. Your grandma probably loves him. Keanu Reeves is universally adored, and apparently, when he’s not busy being the internet’s favorite human, he’s putting in serious BJJ work.
Keanu trained extensively in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, judo, and tactical shooting for John Wick—because what’s more terrifying than a guy who can out-act you and then heel-hook you into oblivion? His dedication to realism in fight choreography led him to train under Rigan Machado, a legendary BJJ black belt.
While we’d all like to believe we could survive a fight against Mr. Wick, reality check: we absolutely could not.
2. Tom Hardy – Bane Didn’t Just Break Batman’s Back, He Also Wins BJJ Tournaments
Tom Hardy isn’t just the guy with the best voice transformations in Hollywood (seriously, his accents have accents). He’s also a legitimate BJJ competitor who has been spotted casually winning tournaments like it’s just another day on set.
Hardy started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to prepare for his role in Warrior, the MMA-based drama where he played a terrifyingly ripped cage fighter. Unlike most actors who train just enough to look cool on camera, Hardy got fully hooked and kept rolling long after filming ended.
In fact, he has a purple belt in BJJ and has won multiple competitions, making him the ultimate "don’t mess with me at a bar" kind of guy.
3. Joe Rogan – The Podcast King Who Could Also Triangle Choke You Mid-Interview
Love him or hate him, Joe Rogan is one of the most well-known names in the BJJ and MMA worlds. While some see him as just a podcast host who yells about elk meat and DMT, Rogan is actually a legit black belt in both BJJ and 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu (which, if you don’t know, is basically BJJ but with extra weirdness).
This dude can break down a UFC fight like a scientist, then armbar you into existential crisis while debating the benefits of float tanks.
His passion for grappling, combat sports, and making people question their life choices has helped popularize BJJ, proving that the art isn’t just for fighters—it’s for anyone who enjoys a good human chess match (and occasional neck cranking).
4. Jason Statham – When You’re a Real-Life Action Star, BJJ Just Makes Sense
Jason Statham is one of those rare Hollywood actors who actually looks like he could beat you up—and surprise, surprise, he actually can. The Transporter star has trained in multiple martial arts, including kickboxing, judo, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
The guy moves like an angry, bald panther, and his love for action-heavy roles means he’s always training to make his fight scenes look as brutal and realistic as possible. Oh, and did I mention he trains with Renzo Gracie?
If you thought Statham’s fight scenes were just movie magic, think again—he really knows how to grapple, throw, and submit people.
5. Ashton Kutcher – Yep, Kelso from That ’70s Show Can Probably Submit You
In what is possibly the most unexpected entry on this list, Ashton Kutcher—yes, the goofy dude from That ’70s Show—is a legitimate Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt.
He started training under Rigan Machado (the same guy who trains Keanu) and has dedicated years to developing his grappling skills.
Kutcher may seem like a lovable goofball, but if you challenge him to a roll, don’t be surprised if he laughs while knee-barring you into another dimension.
6. Vin Diesel – Because Every Fast & Furious Movie Needs a Little More BJJ
Vin Diesel is known for many things—his love for family, his gravelly voice, and somehow making nine Fast & Furious movies and counting. But what you might not know is that he’s also a big fan of BJJ.
Diesel has trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under the legendary Rigan Machado and has been seen rolling with some of the biggest names in the sport. So, the next time you see Dom Toretto pulling off insane stunts in Fast & Furious 27: Cars in Space, just remember—he can probably heel hook you on the way down.
7. Ed O’Neill – America’s Favorite TV Dad Who Could Probably Arm-Triangle You in a Parking Lot
Wait—Al Bundy does Jiu-Jitsu?! Yes, yes he does.
Long before he was cracking dad jokes on Modern Family, Ed O’Neill was rolling on the mats with the legendary Gracie family. The sitcom star has been training for over 20 years and holds a legitimate black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Rorion Gracie.
O’Neill once said that earning his BJJ black belt was one of the greatest achievements of his life, which is wild when you consider this guy had a career spanning multiple decades in Hollywood.
So yeah, next time you watch Modern Family, just remember—Jay Pritchett could probably triangle-choke you before you even knew what happened.
8. Mark Zuckerberg – The Most Dangerous Nerd on the Planet?
Mark Zuckerberg isn’t just the robotic billionaire who made Facebook. No, apparently, he’s also training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu now—because owning the internet wasn’t enough, he wants to win at real-world combat too.
Zuck has been spotted training under Dave Camarillo, a respected BJJ black belt, and even competed in a tournament where he won gold and silver medals. Let that sink in.
This means the same guy who designed your grandma’s Facebook News Feed could double-leg takedown you and slap on a rear-naked choke before you could even log out.
Tech billionaires training in combat sports? Sounds like we're one step closer to a real-life superhero (or supervillain) origin story.
9. Guy Ritchie – British Gangster Film Director and Legitimate BJJ Black Belt
If you love Snatch and Sherlock Holmes, you probably already know that Guy Ritchie is obsessed with badass fight choreography. But did you know he’s also a legit black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
Ritchie has trained for years, rolling with some of the best in the game, including Roger Gracie and Renzo Gracie. And unlike other directors who just tell actors how to fight, he actually knows how to fight.
If Ritchie ever decides to make a BJJ movie, we might finally get the British John Wick we deserve.
Why Celebrities Love BJJ (And Why You Should Too)
So, why are so many Hollywood A-listers flocking to the mats? Well, besides the fact that it makes for the ultimate real-life action training, BJJ is:
✅ A full-body workout (because lifting dumbbells is boring)
✅ A mental game (like chess, but with more choking)
✅ An ego killer (because nothing humbles you like a 130-pound purple belt folding you up like laundry)
✅ Addictively fun (despite all the bruises, soreness, and existential dread)
Whether you’re an action star or just a regular person trying to stay fit, BJJ is one of the best ways to train like a badass while learning actual self-defense skills.
Final Thoughts: Hollywood Might Be Fake, But Their BJJ Skills Are Real
Sure, most celebrities live in a world of scripted fight scenes and CGI explosions, but when it comes to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, there's no faking it. If you see one of these Hollywood elites on the mats, just know—they're there to roll, sweat, and maybe even tap you out.
So, what’s stopping you? Put on a rash guard, step onto the mats, and start training—because if Keanu can do it, so can you.
(Just don’t expect to look as cool while doing it.)
Want to train like the stars? Check out the best BJJ rashguards and gear at MF Fightwear—because if you're going to get choked out, you might as well look good doing it. 💀💪