MMA fighter Mark Striegl on joining show biz: Why not

Filipino-American Mark Striegl professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter is on his way to fame as he carves out a name for himself in the combat sports. Despite being only a half-blooded Filipino, he is bent on making the Philippines a proud nation with his achievements.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, the 28-year-old fighter said his main focus for now is MMA and winning a world title for the Philippines. “That was my dream since I was young,” he said. 

Striegl began his professional MMA career in 2009 in San Diego, California. His brother influenced him in getting into combat sports, although he started to do martial arts when he was only 7 years old. 

The Baguio-based fighter dispelled the common misconception that professional fighters are bad-tempered, uneducated, arrogant and trouble makers. “That’s not necessarily the case. A lot of fighters are college graduates, they go to school.”

“I don’t have temper,” he added.   

Striegl confirmed he would be entering the cage in October but divulged no details yet, only that “they’re looking for an opponent for me.”

‘Showbiz is a challenge I’ll never back down from’

The 5-foot-8-inch tall mestizo certainly has the package to enter the gates of show business. Contrary to a few sports people who’d shun the show-biz world, Striegl is very much open to being in the industry one day and is thrilled about the idea.

“I wouldn’t turn down a challenge, acting is a big challenge, and something that I’d be willing to work at if given the opportunity,” he said chuckling.

He has no acting experience but said he had a few engagements that gave him some exposure. 

“In the past I’ve had a few endorsements of some energy drink, some clothing, etc. I’ve modeled before, I know it’s something that I have to work out if ever I try acting,” he said.

“I did school musicals three or four times while growing up but I also focused a lot on wrestling and sports but I was in a few school plays,” he added.

Having lived in the Philippines for quite sometime, Striegl admits he has befriended some show-biz personalities.

“I’m close friends with Vanessa del Moral, she’s on ‘Encantadia.’ She’s a really nice girl, I just had coffee with her the other day. A few years now. I always tease her about her character in TV. She’s such a sweet and nice girl,” he said.

Should he enter the movie industry, the professional fighter thinks he’ll do good in action films. “Action would be kind of fun. It’s that’s more up my alley coming from the MMA stuff, but I’ll try whatever, that’ll be fun.”

Striegl also thinks that he can do sports hosting, too. In a few years when he retires from fighting, he looks to hosting as a very good career option.

“Hosting would be great, when I step back from fighting, I’d be happy to be a sports commentator or a sports host, but definitely open to other projects [such as] a movie or a series,” he said.

If he’s lucky enough to end up in show biz, he lists down his dream leading ladies. “Uhm, Sam Pinto, Solenn Heusaff, Jennylyn Mercado, Arci Munoz and Jessy Mendiola.”