The first trailer for A24’s action-horror film “Onslaught” has arrived, and it features a terrifying new villain in UFC superstar Alex Pereira. The film, directed by Adam Wingard, is set for a theatrical release on September 4, 2026.
Pereira, the former UFC middleweight and light heavyweight champion known as “Poatan,” makes his film debut as the primary antagonist, a genetically engineered super soldier known as “The Butcher.”
Pereira recently lost via TKO against heavyweight Ciryl Gane at the UFC White House event in his bid to become the first three-division champion in UFC history. Despite the loss, his appearance in the new “Onslaught” trailer is proof of his undeniable stardom amongst the UFC roster.
‘Onslaught’ Trailer
Watch the full trailer here (via A24 on X):
The trailer depicts a rogue squad of these super soldiers breaking loose in the desert, with a former Army sniper, played by lead actress Adria Arjona, forced to protect her family.
Pereira’s character is a key part of this threat, bringing his formidable physical presence to the role. The film also boasts a cast that includes Dan Stevens, Rebecca Hall, and Michael Biehn.
This marks a significant step toward becoming a more mainstream global star for the Brazilian fighter. This transition to film places Pereira in a lineage of MMA fighters who have successfully crossed over into mainstream Hollywood.
MMA Stars Transitioning to Acting
Georges St-Pierre, one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time, was one of the first to make a notable impact, playing the villain Batroc the Leaper in “Captain America: The Winter Soldier.”
He reprised this role in the Disney+ series “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” showcasing how his athleticism translated well to stunt work.
Conor McGregor, arguably the most popular UFC fighter of all time, made his feature film debut in the 2024 remake of “Road House.”
Starring alongside Jake Gyllenhaal, McGregor’s performance showcased his naturally wild personality.
Zhang Weili, the current UFC strawweight champion, is also making her mark in cinema, starring in the drama film “After Typhoon.”
Zhang’s role showcased the global appeal of MMA fighters, as the Chinese film won the 2025 Weibo Movie Awards and Zhang herself won the “Best New Actor/Actress” award at the 2025 China Screen Awards.
The move from the UFC Octagon to the big screen is not the most common extracurricular activity for UFC athletes, but fighters like GSP, McGregor, and Zhang have shown it is possible.
For Pereira, the role in the new A24 film is a natural extension of his intimidating aura inside the cage. As the trailer demonstrates, Pereira’s physicality is perfectly suited for the screen, making him a believable action star.
With “Onslaught,” Pereira could become the next major star in this growing crossover movement.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jul 28, 2026, where it first appeared in the MMA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
