Best Mixed Martial Arts Movies

Key Takeaways

• Flashpoint (2007) showcases realistic MMA fights with Donnie Yen’s talented choreography.
• Boyka: Undisputed IV (2016) features impressive fight scenes and won the Best Fight Award.
• Road House (2024) with Jake Gyllenhaal & Conor McGregor promises intense, authentic MMA action.

For the last ten years, mixed martial arts (MMA) has increased in popularity, making this sport a global phenomenon. Holywood has a significant role in this rise with famous actors like Tom Hardy, the main lead from Warrior (2011), Michael Jai White from the Boyka series, and the timeless Jean-Claude Van Damme who starred in Bloodsport (1988).

These movies are entertaining and feature a variety of combat styles, such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Taekwondo, boxing, and kickboxing.

1 Flashpoint (2007)

The Best Action Choreography Winner

• Running time: 1h 28m
• Streaming: Amazon Prime Video

Flashpoint tells the story of Inspector Jun Ma (played by the talented Donnie Yen), who’s on the search for a violent Asian gang. Interestingly, Yen was the one responsible for the fight choreography and masterfully integrated mixed martial arts like Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, and Judo, ensuring realistic fight sequences.

Only actual martial artists were part of the choreographers to add authenticity. As a result, the movie was awarded in 2008 with the Best Action Choreography at the Hong Kong Film Awards.

Most mixed martial arts fans would agree that Flashpoint is a must-watch due to the realistic hand-to-hand combat and brilliant performances of supporting actors like Collin Chou and Louis Koo.

2 Boyka: Undisputed IV (2016)

The Best Fight Award Winner

• Running time: 1h 26m
• Streaming: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV

Boyka: Undisputed IV, released in September 2016, is the last film from the Undisputed series. The story follows the MMA fighter Yuri Boyka (played by Scot Adkins), who’s dealing with guilt after killing an adversary inside the ring. Determined to make up for the opponent’s family, Yuri goes on a journey to support them and redeem himself.

Some of the martial arts combined in this film are Jiu-Jitsu, Taekwondo, and kickboxing. Viewers can enjoy acrobatic stunts, fast strikes, and realistic fight sequences. As a result of the battle scenes, this movie won the Best Fight Award at the 2017 Shangai Film Festival.

3 Kickboxer: Vengeance (2016)

Starring Dave Bautista—A Former WWE Superstar

• Running time: 1h 30m
• Streaming: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV

Kickboxer: Vengeance is a remake of the martial arts movie from the 1980s—Kickboxer, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme. The modern adaptation focuses on Kurt Sloane (played by Alain Moussi) seeking revenge after his brother’s death. His master is played by Van Damme, giving flashbacks to the original film. Another great addition to the film is Dave Bautista, a former WWE wrestler.

The movie combines mixed martial arts such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kickboxing, and Muay Thai—a Thai boxing style. The fight scenes are top-tier and realistic, but the storyline could be better.

4 Undisputed Two: Last Man Standing (2006)

Michael Jai White VS Scott Adkins

• Running time: 1h 38m
• Streaming: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV

Undisputed II: Last Man Standing is the second film from the Undisputed series and the sequel to the 2002 film—Undisputed. Starring Michael Jai White as the Iceman, a heavyweight champion wrongly accused in Russia where he needs to participate in brutal MMA fights with the undefeated fighter Yuri, played by Scott Adkins.

The mixed martial arts in this film include Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, boxing, and kickboxing. Reviews mention the impressive choreographed fights, adrenaline-pumping scenes, and the athleticism and technical skill of the main cast, resulting in a 7.0/10 rating on IMDb.

5 Bloodsport (1988)

Jean-Claude Van Damme’s First Movie

• Running time: 1h 32m
• Streaming: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV

Bloodsport is a timeless classic that made Jean-Claude Van Damme an international icon. It is, until today, one of the best mixed martial arts movies that showcase a variety of combat styles, such as kickboxing, karate, and Kung-Fu. The fight choreography shows high kicks, one-to-one fights, and quick strikes.

Not only did this film bring attention to the martial arts genre, it also influenced the next generation of fighters. Needless to say, fans of Jean-Claude Van Damme shouldn’t miss this one.

6 Blood And Bone (2009)

A Must-Watch For Mixed Martial Arts Fans

• Running time: 1h 33m
• Streaming: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV

Blood and Bone, released in February 2009 and directed by Ben Ramsey, stars Michael Jai White, a convict who ends up entering underground fights to avenge the murder of his friend. Some highlights of this film include White’s screen presence, intense fights, and skilled performances from the cast.

Some of the mixed martial arts in this film include kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The impressive acting and fight choreography portray a realistic vision of street fighting.

7 Never Back Down (2008)

Featuring Intense MMA Fight Sequences

• Running time: 1h 53m
• Streaming: Amazon Prime Video

Never Back Down, directed by the American screenwriter Jeff Wadlow, was released in November 2008, and the plot tells the story of Jake Tyler (played by Sean Faris), a troubled high schooler who, after moving to a different town, ends up in an underground fight club.

While the storyline is a little teenager-style, the intense MMA fight sequences make the movie stand out. The mixed martial arts viewers can see are boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Muay Thai.

8 Warrior (2011)

Two Brothers, One MMA Tournament

• Running time: 2h 20m
• Streaming: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV

Warrior stars Tom Hardy, an ex-marine, and Joel Edgerton, a struggling schoolteacher, as two siblings who fight in a high-stakes MMA tournament. Their father, played by Nick Nolte, is a recovering alcoholic who is trying to redeem himself for all the years lost. His performance earned him a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Warriors‘ combat styles include wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and other Thai techniques. This action-drama has an incredible rating of 8.1/10 on IMDb and 71/100 on Metascore, and many consider it one of the greatest mixed martial arts movies ever made.

9 Road House (2024)

Jake Gyllenhaal VS Conor McGregor

• Running time: 2h 1m
• Streaming: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV

Road House is a remake of the 1989 film starring the incomparable Jake Gyllenhaal, and it tells the story of a former UFC fighter who accepts a job as a bouncer. However, the job comes with challenging events that put the UFC fighter to the test. To make the film more authentic, some fight scenes were filmed during real UFC events, like when Gyllenhaal fought in the Octagon.

Mixed martial arts fans will love the realism and intense fights in this film, which features brilliant performances from the real UFC champion, Conor McGregor. The film showcases martial arts styles like kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, blending Gyllenhaal’s acting with McGregor’s authentic fighting expertise.