Paige VanZant lands starring role in 'Kickboxer: Retaliation' movie with Jean-Claude Van Damme

Paige VanZant is the latest mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter to cross over to the acting world, as Deadline is reporting that "12 Gauge" has landed a role in the upcoming Jean-Claude Van Damme film, "Kickboxer: Retaliation."

And not just any role, as it will be a starring one that was specifically written for her after the filmmakers caught her sizzling moves on ABC's Dancing with the Stars (see some here and here).

According to produce Rob Hickman, nabbing the latest UFC sensation was a no-brainer:

"Paige is the up-and-coming darling of the UFC and her star quality shines through on camera. She's a tremendous asset to the film both as an onscreen talent and as a trained fighter."

Paige is no rookie when it coems to acting, though, as she's been doing it since she was a kid.

The film is a sequel to "Kickboxer: Vengeance," which is due out this fall and stars women's MMA icon, Gina Carano. VanZant will play a skilled fighter with excellent shooting ability named "Gammon," who also happens to be well connected to the criminal world.

It remains to be seen just what kind of blow up -- if any -- Ronda Rousey has towards Paige in the future should the young starlet start nabbing more Hollywood roles that could have potentially gone to her.

Just saying.