Sydney Sweeney is a walking contradiction in the best way possible. She slips effortlessly between horror nun, high-fashion icon, and Gen Z It-girl with a flair for chaos and elegance alike. Whether she is haunting convents or stealing scenes in teen dramas, she commands attention. But beneath the surface of her glammed-up public persona lies a story far less expected, one that might just involve sweat, strategy, and something that punches back.

While most stars rehearse lines, Sweeney has been rehearsing left hooks; her screen transformation began years before Hollywood noticed.

From glitter to grapples: Sydney Sweeney’s real-life MMA roots

Before the red carpets and HBO monologues, Sydney Sweeney was perfecting her punches. After relocating to Los Angeles and craving a competitive outlet, she followed her male friends into a local dojo and never looked back. For six years, she trained under professional coaches and even reportedly trained alongside former UFC champion Ronda Rousey, who also happens to be her favorite fighter. By 18, she was grappling (and beating) older boys above her weight class. Now, that grit fuels her next role: Christy Martin.

Even with a packed filming calendar, Sydney Sweeney still finds time to spar, and it shows. For her Christy Martin biopic, she underwent a full transformation: curly brown mullet, gritty gear, and fierce footwork. On-set clips reveal her training with Martin herself, landing punches and holding her own in the ring. From pink gloves to powerhouse jabs, Sweeney is not just acting the part; she is living it.

While Sydney Sweeney is landing real punches in the ring, the film’s script is busy delivering emotional uppercuts, pulling no punches as it follows Christy Martin’s rise, abuse, survival, and ultimate redemption.

Sydney Sweeney steps into the ring for the untitled Christy Martin biopic

Sydney Sweeney’s next major swing lands in the still-untitled biopic about Christy Martin, boxing’s trailblazing female Rocky. Though the title is locked down tighter than glove tape, whispers suggest a working name: Apopka, nodding to a dark chapter in Martin’s story. Directed by David Michôd and co-written by Mirrah Foulkes, the film boasts an all-star cast, including Ben Foster and Chad L. Coleman as boxing promoter icon Don King.

The film charts Christy Martin’s rise from small-town West Virginia to ‘90s boxing royalty, chronicling her battles both inside and outside the ring. Her turbulent marriage to manager Jim Martin, fight for identity, survival from a brutal attempted murder, and ultimate comeback take center stage. Sydney Sweeney leads with power and empathy. With filming wrapped in 2024, a late 2025 release is expected, likely starting with major US festival buzz and knockout-level fanfare.

What are your thoughts on Sydney Sweeney bringing her real-life fighting roots to Christy Martin’s powerful story? Let us know in the comments below.