Hollywood wants

Hollywood wants to make a movie about Aussie UFC star whose 'hood rat' dad stabbed him in the chest and smashed his teeth out - as Octagon warrior reveals emotional reason he always wears an army hat to his fights

• Tyson Pedro has had Hollywood producers asking to adapt his life story into a feature film
• Pedro, 30, had a tough upbringing which saw him beaten badly by his father - whom he now has a great relationship with
• John Pedro was a pioneer of Aussie mixed martial arts and paved the way for down under stars of today

The 30-year-old from Penrith in western Sydney made his successful return to the Octagon earlier this year after the longest injury layoff in UFC history - but that's only part of his incredible journey.

The light heavyweight - who takes on Harry Hunsucker at UFC 278 this weekend - recently revealed details about his troubled upbringing which saw him at times warring with his father John, who was a pioneer of mixed martial arts in Australia.

Tyson Pedro, 30, pictured with his father John (left) and fight team after a victory in the Octagon against Ike Villanueva in April 2022

John Pedro - an American Samoan and self-proclaimed 'hood rat' - brought Tyson up tough and wanted to teach him the realities about the life he experienced growing up amid the gang wars between the Crips and Bloods in Los Angeles.

This involved him knocking out Tyson's front teeth in a brutal sparring match and at one point accidentally stabbing him in the chest. 

It is little wonder that several Hollywood producers want to turn the story into a feature film. 

John told the Daily Telegraph that it's not just Hollywood that's chasing him, either: 'I've had a filmmaker from England reach out, too.'

But each time producers have inquired about making the movie, Tyson and his father have knocked them back because they're not convinced people would understand the 'uniqueness' of their story or relationship. 

John Pedro's quest to introduce MMA into Australia could be a movie in itself. 

Local stars like Robert Whittaker, Alexander Volkanovski and Tai Tuivasa might have never had promotions to compete in without his efforts launching the pro fighting organisation King of the Cage.

'For a long time it was me, the hood rat, arguing with lawyers, politicians, Sports Ministers,' explains John. 

'I was alone, threatened with arrest, and with everyone saying MMA would never get off the ground.'

Tyson's incredible injury struggles have been widely reported, but what is less widely known are his mental struggles throughout the ordeal.

'I had a nervous breakdown,' he revealed. 'I've never spoken about this to anyone outside close family but the pressure got too much.