Sydney Sweeney may be best known for her acting roles, but the talented 26-year-old has another impressive hoby- training mixed martial arts. In a recent interview, Sweeney revealed that when she first started practicing grappling as a teenager, she was the only woman in her class and routinely outperformed all the male students.
“I did grappling competitions against all guys a weight category above me, and I got first place,” Sweeney told Marie Claire in 2018. “Those guys were probably saying, ‘Oh, we didn’t want to hurt her,’ but they were definitely trying. Everyone broke a sweat.”
Actress Sydney Sweeney Reveals She Was the Only Woman in Her Grappling Class and Defeated All the Males
Sweeney’s interest in mixed martial arts began when she moved to Los Angeles at age 12. Finding it difficult to join sports teams, she was inspired by her male friends who were training in MMA. “I really wanted to find something that was as physically challenging as everything [back home],” she explained to Women’s Health in 2023.
The Spokane, Washington native immediately took to grappling, appreciating the discipline and camaraderie. She trained rigorously 2-3 times per week for the next 5-6 years, even studying under the same trainers as former UFC champion Ronda Rousey.
A snippet of Sweeney working on the pads and grappling in private training session
While Sweeney can’t really train now due to contractual obligations for acting roles, she still practices MMA whenever possible to stay in shape. Her dedication is clearly paying off as she prepares to play boxer Christy Martin in an upcoming biopic about the trailblazing boxer.
“I’ve been itching to get back into the ring, train, and transform my body,” Sweeney told Deadline about taking on the role.
While her grappling anecdote sounds embelished it’s always nice to see a rising star with an interest in martial arts.
