Mixed martial arts at its highest level involves world-class athletes, sold-out commitment, cutting-edge technique and breathtaking human drama. It makes for a natural fit with Hollywood.
From the Mel Gibson triangle choke at the conclusion of “Lethal Weapon” in 1987 -- six years before the first Ultimate Fighting Championship event -- and Oleg Taktarov’s appearances in “Air Force One” (1997), “Rollerball” (2002), “National Treasure” (2004), “We Own the Night” (2007) and “Predators” (2010) to Quinton Jackson’s run as B.A. Baracus in “The A-Team” (2010) and Georges St. Pierre’s turn as pirate Georges Batroc in “Captain America: Winter Solider” (2014), MMA’s connection to the movies has only strengthened over time.