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Alex Pereira to make acting debut as the villain in 'Onslaught'

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Alex Pereira celebrates after dominant TKO win at UFC 307 (2:05)

Alex Pereira finishes Khalil Rountree Jr. in the main event of UFC 307 and his fans celebrate in the stands. (2:05)

UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has been bitten by the Hollywood bug.

"Poatan" is in talks to make his acting debut opposite Adria Arjona ("Blink Twice," "Morbius") as the villain in "Onslaught," directed by Adam Wingard ("Godzilla vs. Kong," "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire," "You're Next") and from A24, with Lyrical Media and Ryder Picture Company.

Sources told The Hollywood Reporter that the film is best described as a "gonzo action horror thriller" and more in line with Wingard's earlier work in films such as "The Guest" and "Blair Witch" before he took on big budget action films.

Pereira would play a character called "The Butcher" and his character work will get a boost from his MMA background that has seen him capture championships in two different weight classes during his UFC tenure.

Pereira, 37, is coming off of a stunning run of three successful light heavyweight title defenses in 176 days, with his most recent being a fourth-round TKO of Khalil Rountree at UFC 307 on Oct. 5.