Michael Bisping enters the Xander Zone with role in 2017 'xXx' sequel with Vin Diesel

Michael Bisping is heading to Hollywood. Well, Hollywood by way of Toronto, anyway.

The UFC middleweight has landed a role in the latest movie in the “xXx” franchise, “xXx: The Return of Xander Cage.” Bisping announced the news today on his Instagram account.

Very happy to announce that I landed a role in the new XXX movie with Vin Diesel and Samuel L Jackson. I want to thank my agent Mike Staudt, @audieattar and of course @vindiesel for the opportunity.

A photo posted by Mikebisping (@mikebisping) on Apr 6, 2016 at 3:37pm PDT

The third film in the “xXx” franchise is scheduled to release in January 2017 and will feature Vin Diesel returning to the title hero role, alongside Samuel L. Jackson, Nina Dobrev and Toni Collette. The bulk of the filming is set to take place in Toronto.

At one point, UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor was attached to a role in the film, which would be his first big-screen appearance. But McGregor this past month bowed out of the opportunity after his loss to Nate Diaz at UFC 196, reportedly so he could limit distractions ahead of what now will be a rematch with Diaz in the UFC 200 main event.

McGregor and Bisping share a manager in Audie Attar of Paradigm Sports Management, and Attar was one of the principle players Bisping thanked when announcing his participation in the film.

It is not yet known what type of role Bisping will play, but director D.J. Caruso confirmed Bisping’s spot in the cast today.

According to the Internet Movie Database, the new film will see Diesel’s reluctant spy Xander Cage “left for dead after an incident, though he secretly returns to action for a new, tough assignment with his handler Augustus Gibbons” (Jackson).

The first “xXx” film was released in 2002 and had a 2005 sequel without Disel attached starring Ice Cube. Twelve years later, the series will return to the big screen.

Diesel is best known as the star of the “Fast & Furious” series, which is one of the highest grossing film franchises of all time. Director Caruso has quietly built a solid resume of action films and thrillers, including “Eagle Eye” and “Disturbia,” as well as four episodes of “The Shield.”

Bisping (28-7 MMA, 18-7 UFC), the No. 6-ranked fighter in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA middleweight rankings, is coming off a decision win over Anderson Silva (33-7 MMA, 16-3 UFC) in the main event of UFC Fight Night 84 in London in February.

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.