10 Punchy MMA Movies To Watch Before Dwayne Johnson’s ‘The Smashing Machine’

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Is an Oscar finally within reach for Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson? Many hope so. For years, some criticized him for playing similar roles, but he’s now shown his range and ability to take on complex characters. His work and overall performance in The Smashing Machine have received widespread acclaim, and the film itself has earned positive feedback from both audiences and reviewers. After debuting at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, it was awarded the Silver Lion.

The Smashing Machine tells the story of Mark Kerr, a famous wrestler and mixed martial artist. He had a successful MMA career, winning two UFC Heavyweight Tournament Championships and earning other honors. The film also explores his personal challenges, including struggles with substance abuse and difficult relationships. Fans of MMA will likely find it very compelling. Luckily, this isn’t the only movie that covers similar ground.

Here are 10 other great MMA movies to check out before (or after) The Smashing Machine.

‘The Hammer’ (2010)

The Hammer recounts the real-life story of Matt Hamill (played by Russell Harvard), a deaf athlete who achieved success in mixed martial arts despite facing significant obstacles. The film shows his determination to prove himself in a world that questioned his potential. With guidance from his grandfather, he overcomes prejudice and communication difficulties to become a celebrated fighter.

Shattering All Barriers

Director Oren Kaplan’s The Hammer is a powerfully moving film, full of both intense pain and joy. It’s based on true stories shared in the news and by people close to the situation. Kaplan has a rare talent for creating emotional and visually striking scenes, but the film truly shines because of Russell Havard’s exceptional acting. He gave a performance worthy of awards, though unfortunately he didn’t receive the recognition he deserved.

‘Fight Valley’ (2016)

After her sister is found murdered in an area known for illegal MMA fights, Tori Coro (Chelsea Durkalec) starts searching for the truth. This leads her to go undercover in the dangerous world of underground fighting, where women compete for money and recognition when their professional careers haven’t taken off. With guidance from experienced fighter Jabs (Miesha Tate), Tori accomplishes all of her goals in Fight Valley.

Serving Vengeance Cold and Sour

As a fan, I’m really captivated by Fight Valley! It’s amazing to see real MMA fighters like Holly Holm and Cris Cyborg bringing to life stories centered around revenge, dealing with grief, showing perseverance, and, importantly, women’s empowerment. I really feel for the tough decisions these fighters have to make early on – do they take any fight just to survive, or do they keep pushing for something better? The movie doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities, but it presents them with a beautiful, artistic style. It’s a truly powerful and compelling look at themes like honor, duty, and the strong bond of sibling love.

‘Redbelt’ (2008)

Redbelt shares the compelling story of Mike Terry (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a jiu-jitsu teacher who values self-control and integrity in martial arts, rather than winning competitions. However, after repeatedly hearing his wife worry about their finances – specifically, “How are we gonna pay these bills?” – he reluctantly enters the world of mixed martial arts competitions. The film then explores the consequences of this decision.

Money Makes the World Go Round

As a total cinema fan, I have to say this film is absolutely thrilling! It’s a fantastic display of Chiwetel Ejiofor’s incredible range. He plays Mike, and he’s just… cool. He manages to avoid being overly whiny or a show-off, which is a tough balance. Apparently, director David Mamet told me the actor really went all-in for the role, with intense 12-hour days of physical training! Talk about dedication. And keep an eye out for MMA legend Randy Couture – he pops up in a supporting role and is great! You can find more about the film here.

‘Bruised’ (2020)

It’s surprising to learn that Halle Berry picked a story about mixed martial arts for her first time directing a film! Bruised features Berry as Jackie Justice, a once-promising MMA fighter who left the sport after a devastating loss. Feeling remorseful, she’s stuck in unsatisfying jobs and longs for another chance. When her estranged son comes back into her life, Jackie sees an opportunity to make amends both as a mother and as an athlete.

Cheers to Motherhood

As a director, Berry skillfully handles this emotional story, making it both engaging and powerfully showing the intense worry that haunts people striving for their goals. She also beautifully portrays the silent desperation of mothers who would do anything to ease their children’s suffering in an increasingly chaotic world. The result is one of her strongest films to date. Her work earned her a nomination for Outstanding Director at the Black Reel Awards and Best First Feature at the Saturn Awards.

‘Sixty Minutes’ (2024)

Highly skilled German boxer Octavio (Emilio Sakraya) is on the verge of the most important fight of his career when he receives an urgent call. He needs to get to his daughter’s birthday party right away, or he could lose custody of her for good. Without hesitation, Octavio abandons everything and begins a frantic dash across the city. As he tries to make it, he’s pursued by angry fight promoters and those involved in illegal betting. The question is: can he return to the ring in time for his match, as shown in Sixty Minutes?

Out of Time

Director Oliver Kienle builds a feeling of suspense and urgency, much like Alfred Hitchcock, gradually turning what appears to be a calm, sophisticated scene into one filled with worry, doubt, and danger. Instead of a traditional musical score, the sounds of the city – cars and people – create a deeply engaging soundscape. The fight scenes, which aren’t confined to a single location, completely involve the viewer, making us share in Octavio’s fear and desperation. This isn’t just a good movie about MMA; it’s one of the best action films of 2024.

‘Embattled’ (2020)

MMA champion Cash Boykins (Stephen Dorff) believes he embodies true masculinity. However, this manifests as aggression towards those around him, even his family. His teenage son, Jett (Darren Mann), a talented fighter himself, despises his father’s behavior and decides to focus on self-control. This leads to an inevitable showdown between father and son in the ring. What will happen in the epic fight depicted in Embattled?

Who Is the True Man of the House?

Embattled is a powerful and memorable film that delves into difficult themes like abuse, harmful ideas about masculinity, and the lasting effects of trauma. It’s a compelling look at both family struggles and the pursuit of a career. Darren Mann delivers a stunning performance as a son wrestling with feelings of both revulsion and desire, and he deserved awards for his work. Director Nick Sarkisov also deserves recognition for creating a film that’s both full of action and deeply unsettling in its portrayal of control. We especially admire how the film goes beyond typical MMA stories and becomes a universal story about family, making it accessible and impactful for everyone.

‘Perfect Addiction’ (2023)

Women sometimes get their revenge in surprisingly painful ways, as seen in Perfect Addiction. Sienna Lane (Kiana Madeira), a talented MMA trainer, is devastated to discover her boyfriend, up-and-coming fighter Jax (Matthew Noszka), is having an affair with her sister. As a result, she makes the dramatic decision to coach Jax’s biggest competitor. And, of course, she ends up falling for *him* too. Get ready for some drama!

He Gonna Pay!

This MMA movie, centered around a romance, really succeeds with its simple, direct style and surprising twists. We think the very small budget led to longer shots and more scenes fading to black, but these choices don’t take away from the story. The film feels realistically paced and reflects the characters’ financial struggles. The settings are consistently bleak and depressing, emphasizing the film’s sad mood. You should watch Perfect Addiction for a compelling story about betrayal, rage, and recovery.

‘Undisputed II: Last Man Standing’ (2006)

It’s surprising that Scott Adkins isn’t more well-known, considering how many excellent films he’s been in. In Undisputed II: Last Man Standing, Michael Jai White plays George “Iceman” Chambers, a former boxing champion who is wrongly thrown in jail while in Russia. While imprisoned, he’s forced to fight in a dangerous, secret MMA competition run by the seemingly unbeatable Yuri Boyka (Scott Adkins). You won’t want to miss the fight when these two finally meet.

The Perfect Cast

Similar to other films in the Undisputed series, Last Man Standing is especially known for its exciting fight choreography, but it also excels in its technical execution. Director of Photography Ross W. Clarkson consistently keeps the camera moving whenever characters enter or exit a scene. This technique is particularly effective during action sequences. Scott Adkins and Jai White have excellent on-screen chemistry. The result is a fight movie that is both gripping and expertly crafted, and it remains one of the best in the genre.

‘Born a Champion’ (2020)

Mickey Kelley (Sean Patrick Flanery), the protagonist of Born a Champion, is a former Marine and a highly skilled Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. After leaving the military, he was living a peaceful life and working as a martial arts instructor. However, things take a dramatic turn when he’s compelled to fight in an illegal MMA competition.

Disturbing His Peace

Born a Champion offers a clever take on how quickly things can change – from calm to chaos. Mickey, believing his time as a Marine prepared him for anything, finds even greater challenges await him in civilian life. The film feels genuine, in part because the lead actor, Sean Patrick Flanery, is actually a skilled Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt. What stands out most is the film’s realism; you won’t find any exaggerated or unbelievable fight scenes – just authentic combat.

‘Warrior’ (2011)

In Warrior, Tommy Conlon (Tom Hardy) is competing in Sparta, a major MMA tournament, hoping to achieve fame and recognition. His brother, Brendan Conlon (Joel Edgerton), is also fighting in the tournament. Tommy, a former Marine, is motivated by a desire to remember a friend who died. Brendan, on the other hand, needs the prize money because he isn’t satisfied with his salary as a teacher. The question is: which brother is the stronger fighter?

Bro Vs. Bro

As usual, Tom Hardy delivers a powerful and captivating performance, truly making us experience his character’s intensity and what he’s feeling. However, Nick Nolte is the standout actor, portraying the father of the two fighters with incredible skill. His performance was so impressive that he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. The film also features appearances by actual MMA and combat sports stars like Roan Carneiro and Kurt Angle. Furthermore, the director’s clever use of “double” imagery to emphasize the differences between the brothers is exceptionally well done, but it’s the film’s ending that elevates this suspenseful story into a genuine classic of its genre.

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2025-09-30 00:37