The Real Knockout: 5 Shocking Details About Michael B. Jordan's Unscripted Punch On The Set Of 'Creed'

The footage is legendary and has been circulating for years, but as of late December 2025, the story of Michael B. Jordan getting genuinely knocked out on a movie set remains one of Hollywood's most shocking tales of dedication. The actor, who transformed himself into boxing protégé Adonis Creed, took a punch so real and powerful that it sent him to the canvas and briefly knocked him unconscious, all in the name of cinematic authenticity.

This incident, which occurred during the filming of the first Creed film, highlights the extreme lengths Jordan went to embody the role of a professional boxer. It wasn't a stunt gone wrong, but rather a deliberate, albeit painful, commitment to a moment that would define his character's struggle and his own acting career.

Michael Bakari Jordan: A Biographical Profile & Career Timeline

Michael B. Jordan is one of the most influential and successful actors, producers, and directors of his generation. His career trajectory has consistently shown a commitment to challenging, complex roles, culminating in his work on the globally successful Creed franchise.

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• Full Name: Michael Bakari Jordan
• Born: February 9, 1987 (Age 38 as of 2025)
• Birthplace: Santa Ana, California, U.S.
• Education: Newark Arts High School, Newark, New Jersey.
• Estimated Net Worth (2025): Approximately $50 million, earned through acting, producing, directing, and various business ventures.
• Key Early Roles: Wallace in The Wire (2002), Vince Howard in Friday Night Lights (2009–2011).
• Breakout Film Roles: Oscar Grant in Fruitvale Station (2013), Adonis "Donnie" Creed in Creed (2015).
• Major Franchise Roles: Erik "Killmonger" Stevens in Marvel's Black Panther (2018).
• Directorial Debut: Creed III (2023), where he also starred and produced.

The Unscripted Knockout: Tony Bellew, The Punch, and The Aftermath

The infamous knockout took place during the climactic fight scene of the 2015 film Creed, a continuation of the legendary Rocky saga. Jordan's opponent in the scene was "Pretty" Ricky Conlan, played by real-life professional boxer Tony Bellew.

Why the Punch Was Real

In a move that speaks volumes about his dedication to method acting and cinematic authenticity, Michael B. Jordan insisted on taking a real, unblocked punch to the face. The scene was scripted to show Adonis Creed getting knocked down by Conlan. While most movie fights rely on careful choreography, camera angles, and sound effects to simulate impact, Jordan wanted the raw, visceral reaction of a genuine blow.

Sylvester Stallone, who played Rocky Balboa and served as a producer, later shared the behind-the-scenes footage, which quickly went viral. Stallone's accompanying tweet confirmed the reality of the situation: “Michael B. Jordon, ‘young creed’ and ‘getting KO’d for real!’”

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The Moment of Impact

The punch was delivered by Tony Bellew, a former WBC cruiserweight champion known for his power. Bellew, who initially hesitated to hit his co-star, was instructed to deliver the blow to the side of Jordan's head. The actor was wearing a mouthguard but no head protection.

The resulting impact was so forceful that Jordan immediately dropped to the canvas, completely knocked out. The sound of the glove connecting with his head was reportedly sickening, and the entire crew rushed to his side. The footage clearly shows the actor's body going limp as he collapses, a reaction that no amount of acting could truly replicate.

The Price of Authenticity: Jordan's Reaction and Legacy

The commitment to realism, while painful, paid off immensely. The scene is regarded as one of the most impactful moments in the film, giving the audience a true sense of the brutality of professional boxing and the stakes involved for Adonis Creed.

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Recovery and Reflection

Upon regaining consciousness, Jordan's first question was reportedly, "Did you get it?"—referring to whether the camera captured the shot perfectly. This reflects his dedication to the craft, prioritizing the film's quality over his own discomfort.

Later, during an appearance on The Graham Norton Show, Jordan cringed while watching the footage of the knockout, acknowledging that it was a moment of poor judgment but ultimately necessary for the role. He described the experience of being knocked out as a brief, strange sensation of "being in a video game."

The Intense Training for the Creed Franchise

The knockout was merely one extreme moment in an overall grueling process. Jordan's preparation for the role of Adonis Creed was legendary. His training regime, overseen by professional trainers and nutritionists, involved a mix of high-intensity interval training (HIIT), plyometrics, weight lifting, and extensive boxing and cardio sessions.

This intense physical transformation helped him not only look the part but also move and fight convincingly alongside real boxers like Tony Bellew and Florian Munteanu (who played Viktor Drago in Creed II). His background, which included childhood karate lessons, gave him a foundation, but the Creed training elevated his physical performance to a professional level, solidifying his topical authority within the world of cinematic sports dramas.

From Actor to Director: The Creed Evolution

Jordan's commitment to the franchise reached its peak when he stepped into the director's chair for Creed III. This move was a natural progression, allowing him to shape the character and the world of Adonis Creed with full creative control. His experience of having taken a real punch gave him a unique perspective on the authenticity required for the fight sequences, ensuring the franchise maintained its gritty, realistic edge.

The story of Michael B. Jordan’s knockout, while painful, has become a powerful symbol of his dedication to his craft, cementing his status as one of Hollywood's most committed and physically transformative leading men. It’s a moment that will forever be part of the Creed legacy.