''Fight Life'' is a feature-length documentary on the sport of

mixed martial arts Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact fighting combat sport, sport based on strike (attack), striking and grappling; incorporating techniques from various combat sports from around the world. In the early 20th century, various inter-s ...

. The film is directed by independent filmmaker James Z. Feng and produced by RiLL Films. The film focuses on the lives of professional

fighters outside the cage, primarily profiling

Jake Shields Jake Shields (born January 9, 1979) is an American former mixed martial artist and podcaster. As a mixed martial artist, he was the last Rumble on the Rock Welterweight Champion, the only Elite XC Welterweight Champion, a former Shooto Welte ...

, and Lyle Beerbohm. The film unveils the sport of mixed martial arts and what it takes to be a modern-day professional fighter. Many notables MMA stars and experts are featured in this film, including:

Nick Diaz Nicholas Robert Diaz (born August 2, 1983) is an American professional boxer and mixed martial artist who competes in the Welterweight and Middleweight divisions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Diaz is a former Strikeforce, WEC and ...

Gilbert Melendez Gilbert Melendez (born April 12, 1982) is an American mixed martial artist who formerly competed in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is a two-time Strikeforce Lightweight Champion and a former WEC Lightwei ...

Chuck Liddell Charles David Liddell (born December 17, 1969) is an American former professional Mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist. A professional competitor from 1998 to 2018, Liddell is a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion (from 2005 to 2007) and i ...

Frank Shamrock Frank Shamrock (born Frank Alisio Juarez III; December 8, 1972) is an American former professional mixed martial artist. Shamrock was the first to hold the UFC Middleweight Championship (later renamed the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship) ...

, Miesha Tate, John McCarthy, Julianna Pena,

Michael Chiesa Michael Keith Chiesa (; born December 7, 1987) is an American professional Mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist and sports analyst who currently competes in the Welterweight (MMA), Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship ( ...

Herschel Walker Herschel Junior Walker (born March 3, 1962) is an American former professional football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons. He was also the Republican nominee in the 2022 United States Senate election ...

, Sam Sheridan,

Mark Coleman Mark Coleman (born December 20, 1964) is an American retired mixed martial artist, professional wrestler and Amateur wrestling, amateur wrestler. Coleman was the UFC 10 and UFC 11 tournament champion, the first List of UFC champions#Tournament ...

, Tyron Woodley, Ryan Schultz, Matt Lindland, Mike Swick, and Cody McKenzie. In 2013, ''Fight Life'' went on to win the Best Documentary Award at the United Film Festival.

Content

Starring different fighters in different points in their careers, Fight Life brings you a spectrum of different point of views in the fight game. From the 15 long minutes inside the cage to the countless hours in the gym, this profession of mixed-martial arts has finally flourished into mainstream America. The evolution of the sport within the last ten years from an underground sport to Spike TV and CBS has brought MMA into the category of professional sport. Along with this new sport comes the lifestyle of professional fighters who are paving the way for the next big thing. Fight Life chronicles the early struggles of the sport of MMA through the lives of selected fighters. Focusing on our three main protagonists' lives both inside and outside of the ring, the behind the scenes view of both the triumphant and inglorious times the fighters go through in their daily lives. From the moment of victory every fighter is chasing after, to the devastating knockout in defeat, Fight Life follows these fighters during their journey chasing a dream few dare.

Production

A self-funded independent production, filming took place from 2008 to 2011 all across the country.

Release

The film was released in 2012.

References

External links

* * 2012 films Mixed martial arts documentaries 2010s English-language films English-language documentary films {{sport-documentary-film-stub