UFC Champion Alexander Volkanovski Cast in Street Fighter Movie

Alexander Volkanovski, the reigning UFC Featherweight Champion, has been cast in the highly anticipated live-action adaptation of the iconic Street Fighter video game series, set for release on October 16, 2026. Volkanovski will portray Joe, a former kickboxing world champion and a non-playable character from the original 1987 Street Fighter game, marking his major crossover into mainstream entertainment. The film features an ensemble cast including Andrew Koji as Ryu, Noah Centineo as Ken Masters, Callina Liang as Chun-Li, WWE stars Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes, rapper Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, and Jason Momoa as Blanka. The movie is produced by Legendary Entertainment and Paramount Pictures and serves as a reboot of the franchise, with filming underway in Australia. This project highlights the growing trend of MMA fighters transitioning into acting roles, with Volkanovski expressing enthusiasm about his acting pursuits. The film’s story is set in 1993 and revolves around Ryu and Ken being recruited by Chun-Li for the World Warrior Tournament amid a broader conspiracy.