Nick Diaz is all set to make his acting debut alongside iconic Hollywood action hero Jean-Claude Van Damme. Diaz grew up watching Van Damme movies and has trained with the Belgian actor several times in the past.
The renowned martial artist and actor was also observed training alongside Nick and Nate Diaz in 2016, prior to Nate's rematch with rival Conor McGregor.
In the upcoming neo-noir action picture Darkness of Man, Jean-Claude Van Damme will showcase his dramatic chops. The film is being directed by James Cullen Bressack and has been compared to some of Van Damme's more gritty works, such as JCVD and The Bouncer.
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Combat sports enthusiasts will be pleased to learn that the film will star Nick Diaz in a previously unseen role, extending his legendary mixed martial arts career to the silver screen.
According to Matt Staudt, the co-founder of Game Up Nutrition (a CBD brand founded by UFC superstars and cannabis icons Nick & Nate Diaz), Diaz has already begun shooting for the film. Staudt revealed on Instagram that Diaz had a fantastic fight sequence in the film, in which the UFC star had a hand in choreographing:
"The movie I was in LA for last month wrapped yesterday. Get ready for a new, gritty and dark crime story set in LA starring @jcvd and features @nickdiaz209 who killed it. Nick also has a badass fight scene in the film. When it got to rehearsing the fight, he took over and of course had better ideas than the film’s stunt coordinator which is what ended up being filmed and looked awesome."
Check out the post below:
Following in the footsteps of fellow UFC star Conor McGregor, Nick Diaz has branched out into acting. To kick off his acting career, McGregor will star alongside Jake Gyllenhaal in a new version of the Hollywood classic, Road House.
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Nick Diaz reveals how Jean-Claude Van Damme movies got him into martial arts
In the upcoming film Darkness of Man, Nick Diaz will make his acting debut opposite Jean-Claude Van Damme, his childhood hero. Van Damme will essay the role of Russell Hatch, an Interpol agent who becomes a father figure to Jayden, the son of an informant slain during a botched raid.
Nick Diaz recently sought out Dr. Beau Hightower to treat some persistent physical complications. During their lengthy conversation, the fighter confessed that Van Damme films inspired him to pursue mixed martial arts.
Diaz, a lifelong follower of martial arts, was captivated by the discipline and talent exhibited by the film's fighters. This encouraged him to begin training and ultimately pursue a career in mixed martial arts:
"Bloodsport yeah and kickboxer got me into fighting.”
Check out the full interaction below:
Diaz recently resumed extensive training and stated that he intends to make a comeback in 2023.