Rourke to appear on 'Inside MMA'

DALLAS, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Mickey Rourke, the Oscar-nominated star of "The Wrestler," has taped a two-part interview for the program "Inside Mixed Martial Arts," HDTV said.

The first part of the chat with Rourke, a real-life former boxer, is to air Friday and the second Feb. 20.

"Inside MMA" co-host Bas Rutten conducts the interview and the two talk about Rourke's love of Mixed Martial Arts and the vast differences between boxing and MMA, HDTV said.

In the interview's second segment, Rourke tells Rutten about making the movie "The Wrestler," and how he prepared for the physically and emotionally demanding role.

Rourke has already won a BAFTA and a Golden Globe for his portrayal of a former pro wrestling icon who can't let go of his long-gone glory days.