UFC Star Li Jingliang Continues to Follow Conor McGregor, Jon Jones’ Footsteps at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival

The Ultimate Fighting Championship didn’t just introduce the world to breathtaking fighters, but also gave Hollywood some pretty good stars. Take Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey, for example. McGregor played the antagonist’s role in the remake of the classic RoadHouse. Rousey was a part of the main crew in Furious 7, The Expendables 3, Mile 22, and Entourage. Georges St-Pierre was also in Hollywood movies. But his acting skills were highlighted through a fight scene in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Even Jon Jones recently got engaged in playing a major role in an upcoming military movie. And now, another mixed martial artist has joined these ranks with a debut in the realm of acting. The debutant is none other than Li Jingliang. 

You see, the upcoming movie isn’t really the Chinese welterweight contender’s first gig in the acting and entertainment realm. He previously had a role in the 2018 Philippine action drama, The Trigonal: Fight for Justice, where he portrayed the character Ah Qiang. However, nothing much is known about the role. But now, ‘The Leech’ has found his way to the 78th Cannes Film Festival as he celebrates his role in a new movie, 8 Limbed Dragon.

Jingliang took to Instagram and shared a picture of himself on the red carpet. Needless to say, the aura around the welterweight star spoke volumes about his acting. In the caption, the 37-year-old combat sports athlete wrote, “Announcing my acting debut at Cannes Film Festival.” Needless to say, we can expect the movie to be action-packed and full of fight scenes, with Jingliang getting a significant volume of footage. After all, ‘The Leech’ acting in a movie about Muay Thai would be nothing short of interesting. 

Jingliang has a pretty decent MMA career. He has a professional MMA record of 19 wins and 9 defeats. Out of these, 11 wins came in the Octagon. And getting out of the fighters’ path to engage in acting was indeed a big decision. But what did the welterweight fighter say about his new venture? 

Li Jingliang goes deeper into his experience in the acting realm

8 Limbed Dragon is actually the Hong Kong-based boutique studio, Salty Pictures’, next big project. It’ll be all about Muay Thai, and is inspired by the non-fiction by Gao Tixia, Sheng Si Quan Dou. On top of that, there are elements from the welterweight’s own life as well. Talking about his big move, Jingliang said, “Having enjoyed both wins and losses throughout my career, I have a sense that my experience isn’t unique to me. Anyone who has struggled and strived for their goals or their family are all like me. Through this film, I hope that people will find a connection to their heart and be able to walk more steadily along the path of life.” 

The former CAA China head, Jonah Greenberg, is currently leading the group behind Salty Pictures. And he sure has pretty high expectations for the upcoming action drama. He said, “8 Limbed Dragon is an engaging, action-packed ode to the roots of MMA, with The Leech bringing both authenticity through his own personal journey and experiences as a fighter to his big-screen debut. A film with both human drama and a celebration of this exquisite form of martial art – we’re confident 8 Limbed Dragon will be a memorable debut.”

Of course, with the aim to smash the world of mixed martial arts and dramatic storyline, Salty Pictures and ‘The Leech’ have created quite an intrigue in the fighting realm. The production of the movie is set to begin later in the year in Thailand. And the producers? They’re none other than Cod Satrusayang, and Desmond O’Neill. And all we have to do is wait for the movie to appear on the big screen. 

Are you excited to watch ‘The Leech’ star in 8 Limbed Dragon? Do you have any expectations of the upcoming movie? Let us know what you think in the comments down below. 

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