A former UFC two-division champion and the richest mixed martial artist of all time, Conor McGregor is perhaps the most arrogant fighter to ever compete in the octagon, notorious for his trash talk. But for his first extensive Hollywood acting role, he took a vastly different approach.

“I went in humble, looking to learn,” McGregor said Thursday on the red carpet of the U.K. premiere of “Road House” in London. “I knew my level. I was a white belt, I am a white belt still, and I was blessed with an amazing cast that was helpful and patient.”

McGregor stars in “Road House” – a remake of the 1989 cult classic starring Patrick Swayze – as Knox, the main nemesis to Jake Gyllenhaal’s “Elwood Dalton,” a former UFC fighter who is hired as a bar manager to restore order in a rowdy roadhouse. The film premieres March 21 on Prime Video.

McGregor, who went into filming finally healed from a severe broken leg in his most recent bout vs. Dustin Poirier in July 2021, said his inexperience as an actor might’ve actually helped with the character.

“I got into good, strong shape. I gave it my all,” McGregor said. “I was a little probably green at times, a bit rough around the edges, but for the character it worked. On to the next one if there is a next one.”

Although Gyllenhaal filmed a fight scene with UFC veteran Jay Hieron at UFC 285 in March 2023, none of McGregor’s on-screen encounters with Gyllenhaal take place inside the octagon.

That, however, doesn’t mean things didn’t get real at times between McGregor and Gyllenhaal.

“For sure, those were real punches,” McGregor said. “Even with Jake, we beat each other up 100 percent.”