Since the beginning of the twenty-first century, mixed martial arts have become more popular. Under Dana White, the UFC has established itself as a household name in practically every nation on Earth. As the word “martial arts” suggests, it is a form of art, and more people are starting to recognize it for what it is: art. While occasionally nasty and aggressive, it can also be motivating and innovative. There have been several films that have been influenced by the sport’s rising popularity.
Both movies and martial arts can be entertaining. And it’s always a good time when a movie can successfully blend the two. The top MMA movies are listed below. The list is not exclusive to MMA as a sport or competition. Films with martial arts sequences or any type of “MMA ass kicking” are also included. Following that, the best MMA movies of all time are listed below.
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10. Blood & Bone
In the Los Angeles-set movie “Blood and Bone,” an ex-con is shown taking the underground fighting scene by storm while trying to keep a vow to a comrade who has since died. Every lover of martial arts movies must now be aware of how awesome Michael Jai White is as a badass in one of the best MMA movies ever. The film’s action sequences feature several more well-known fighters, including Bob Sapp, Kimbo Slice, and Maurice Smith. The movie has fast-paced, expertly choreographed battle scenes that are stylish and thrilling. If you enjoy violent, bone-crushing action movies, this is what you’ll consider to be enjoyable and one of the best MMA movies of all time.
9. The Philly Kid
Underage pals Chase, Jake, and Dillon’s attempt to get beer turn into a nightmare when Chase dies, Jake is shot in the back, and Dillon, a champion wrestler, is sentenced to prison for manslaughter. After ten years, Dillon is finally free. Jake welcomes him and helps him find employment while introducing him to the world of minor-league MMA combat.
Jake has an unpaid gambling debt, so Dillon goes to three fights to pay it off and thus save Jake’s life in this high-stakes member of the best MMA movies list. However, Dillon becomes up in the middle of a conflict involving gangsters, dishonest police, a dubious promoter, a snarky parole officer, and Jake’s disapproving sister. This film is a cult classic and a movie you’ll never forget.
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8. The Hammer
You won’t want to miss this if you’re a fan of the UFC in particular. ‘The Hammer’ is a biographical movie based on Matt Hammil, a deaf wrestler and former UFC fighter. It follows Hammil’s character as he overcomes obstacles to rise to the top. The man did go on and compete in the biggest MMA platform in the world, however, this is more of a “wrestling” movie than a full-fledged MMA one. Additionally, wrestling is a component of MMA, therefore it qualifies as one of the best MMA movies.
Hammil is portrayed in the movie by Russell Harvard, who you may remember from “There Will Be Blood” as the mature H.W. Plainview. Once again, Harvard gives a strong performance and manages to keep his character likable and approachable in one of the best MMA movies. The movie’s sound design is excellent on purpose, and it makes excellent use of the subtitles for a movie aimed at people with disabilities like Hammil.
7. The Raid
Welsh director Gareth Evans created the 2011 Indonesian martial arts action movie The Raid, which he also wrote, produced, and edited. From beginning to end, the movie is intense, and when I say intense, I don’t exaggerate. In the midst of Jakarta, a merciless Drug Lord’s high-rise skyscraper is being infiltrated by an elite squad team.
The choreography of the combat scenes in the movie would even impress a pro fighter. The fights are immaculate in terms of agility and timing, in addition to the fact that several of them were shot in one long take. The characters in this movie are not constrained by a cage or a contest, in contrast to the other movies on the list of best MMA movies.
The building’s concrete walls serve as the cage, and the object of the competition is to live while eliminating every enemy (there are hundreds of them). The film’s fast-paced editing and gorgeous photography keep the pulse running throughout. The only weakness you might possibly find is a lack of character depth, but in my opinion, the action more than makes up for it and ranks this among the best MMA movies.
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6. Fighting
Fighting is a 2009 sports/action movie starring Terrence Howard and Channing Tatum. Shawn, played by Tatum, is engaged in a street battle when Howard’s character, Harvey, comes across him and is struck by his tenacity. Shawn is enlisted by Harvey, who prepares him for combat. The bouts in the movie, in contrast to most of the movies on the list, take place behind closed doors and are funded by wealthy individuals who like placing bets on “their guy” crushing “the other guy,” ranking this among the best MMA movies.
The good-hearted son of an Alabama wrestling coach, Shawn MacArthur earns a pitiful living by peddling bogus goods on the streets of New York City. He is found by bare-knuckle/street-fight manager Harvey Boarden after dealing with thieving punks in one of the best MMA movies. Shawn quickly establishes his value and begins to amass a modest wealth, some of which he offers to give to Zulay Velez, a single mother. Shawn doesn’t cheat, and it appears to be a big problem, especially when his Alabama high school nemesis has arrived.
Despite the common action cliché issues, the film’s outstanding character development keeps the audience interested. The movie has the guts to focus on characters, which is something that most martial arts movies fall short of. Zulay Henao stands out as the movie’s supporting actress.
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5. Here Comes the Boom
When Kevin James (playing Scott Voss) was at his peak, he was an accomplished collegiate wrestler. At the age of 42, he is currently a biology instructor at Wilkinson High School. When a disturbing announcement prompts Mr. Voss to take action, he has become a less caring teacher. Wilkinson High will discontinue all extracurricular programs right away. The most indifferent teacher on staff all of a sudden becomes involved.
However, how can a normal high school teacher come up with the $48,000 needed to keep the music program alive? Mr. Voss makes a commitment to become in shape and subject himself to a series of painful beatings after finding that some MMA fighters make $10,000 just for entering the ring. He does this so that his students won’t go without in this heartwarming film.
4. Undisputed II: Last Man Standing
Undisputed 2 undoubtedly succeeds in surpassing its predecessor, a rare accomplishment for a sequel. The Undisputed series reached a whole new level as Scott Adkins entered the spotlight. The movie centers on the character of Michael Jai White (from the prequel), who is imprisoned in Russia on false drug charges and discovers that illicit martial arts contests are taking place close to the prison. Yuri Boyka, played by Adkins, is the clear winner of the competition; yet, Jai White’s character becomes apart from him.
The fight scenes in the movie, which are stunningly done, are what most people would find impressive. Both White and Adkins’ innate talent is fully utilized. Every combat scene is a delight to see because director Isaac Florentine is so exact and attentive with his angles and details. The movie frequently suffers from cliched speech and storyline twists, but these timely quirks are overshadowed by stunning action sequences, cementing this film’s place among the best MMA movies of all time.
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3. Bloodsport
American martial artist Frank Dux. He receives an invitation to “The Kumite,” a private martial arts competition to which only the top fighters in the world are invited, from his former martial arts instructor. Frank arrives in Hong Kong for the competition, but his US Army COs are closely following him in one of the best MMA movies ever.
Until the defending champion gets his hands on Frank’s pal Jackson and hurts him in the Quarter Finals, Frank wins match after match and exhibits promise that he might be the first person from the Western Hemisphere to win the competition. Frank must now climb a hill. He is about to make martial arts history, his friend is injured, and the US Army is hot on his trail. Can he do it?
2. Never Back Down
Jake Tyler, a disobedient adolescent at his new high school, is persuaded to join an extreme underground fighting club in a Backyard Fight, where he meets a mixed martial arts veteran coach. Jake seeks the guidance of an experienced fighter to prepare his mind and body for one more no-holds-barred elimination match with his unyielding personal enemy and local martial arts champion Ryan McCarthy after receiving threats to the safety of his friends and family.
Ryan included, Jake has earned the respect of all his classmates. Roqua closes the gym for the first time in a while and travels to Brazil to see his relatives.
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1. Best MMA Movies: Warrior (2011)
In the harsh, high-stakes world of mixed martial arts (MMA) fighting, two brothers face the fight of a lifetime and the devastation of their torn family in Lionsgate’s action/drama WARRIOR. Tommy Riordan, a former Marine with a sad background, returns to his hometown of Pittsburgh and enlists his father, a sober man, and his old trainer, to prepare him for an MMA competition with the largest prize pool in the sport’s history. As Tommy forges a bloody road toward the title, his brother Brendan, a former MMA fighter who can no longer support his family as a public school teacher, enters the amateur ring.
Despite the passage of time, Brendan remains bitterly estranged from both Tommy and his father due to past grudges and betrayals. The two brothers must finally face the forces that tore them apart as they engage in the most intense, winner-takes-all struggle of their lives as Brendan’s remarkable rise as an underdog places him on a collision course with Tommy. There are no weak performances in the movie. Edgerton and Hardy both play roles that are incredibly intriguing and powerful. It was right that Nick Nolte was nominated for an Academy Award for outstanding supporting actor.
The action scenes are well-done, and the cinematography is stunning. Both the tale and the characters in Warrior are rich. The storylines and personalities are told individually in the first half of the movie, but they face off against one another in the second act. You’re on the edge of your seat the entire third act because it’s that intense in one of the best MMA movies of all time.