Fightville

Last updated
Fightville
Directed by Michael Tucker, Petra Epperlein
Produced byMichael W. Gray
Starring Dustin Poirier
Tim Credeur
Albert Stainback
Gil Guillory
Cinematography Michael Tucker
Edited byPetra Epperlein, Michael Tucker
Distributed by Showtime Networks
Release dates
  • March 12, 2011 (2011-03-12)(South by Southwest Film Festival)
  • April 28, 2011 (2011-04-28)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Fightville is a mixed martial arts documentary film released in 2011. It was co-directed by Petra Epperlein and Michael Tucker.

The film features interviews with a group of Lafayette, Louisiana fighters and coaches, which includes Dustin Poirier, Tim Credeur, and Albert Stainback. Other fighters featured are Derrick Krantz and Ronny Lis. Poirier and Stainback receive much of the screen time as the filmmakers explore their troubled respective backgrounds and reasons for fighting. Credeur, a fighter and coach, is interviewed about his Gladiator Academy which seeks to "build better men". [1] Gil "The Thrill" Guillory, the promoter of a local promotion named USA MMA, is also featured. [2] [3]

It premiered internationally on April 28, 2011, at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival. [1]

The idea for Fightville came about during production of Gunner Palace , when the filmmakers found out about MMA by observing soldiers watching and practicing the sport. [4]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mixed martial arts</span> Full-contact combat sport

Mixed martial arts (MMA), sometimes referred to as cage fighting, no holds barred (NHB), and ultimate fighting, and originally referred to as Vale Tudo is a full-contact combat sport based on striking, grappling and ground fighting, incorporating techniques from various combat sports from around the world. The first documented use of the term mixed martial arts was in a review of UFC 1 by television critic Howard Rosenberg in 1993. The question of who actually coined the term is subject to debate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John McCarthy (referee)</span> American mixed martial arts referee

John Michael McCarthy is an American commentator for Bellator MMA, former mixed martial arts referee, best known for officiating numerous bouts promoted by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), dating back to UFC 1. He co-hosts the MMA and combat sports podcast "Weighing In" with Josh Thomson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nate Quarry</span> American mixed martial artist

Nathan Parker "Nate" Quarry is a retired American mixed martial arts fighter who is most notable for his appearance in The Ultimate Fighter, a reality show from the Ultimate Fighting Championship, as well as co-hosting the show MMA Uncensored Live.

Jeffrey Michael Curran is an American retired professional mixed martial artist. A professional competitor since 1998, Curran has fought at a number of different weight classes for a large number of promotions including Bellator, the UFC, Strikeforce, PRIDE Fighting Championships, WEC, IFL, the RFA, and KOTC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eddie Alvarez</span> American mixed martial artist

Edward "Eddie" Alvarez is an American mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Lightweight division of ONE Championship. He also formerly competed in the UFC and Bellator MMA, winning world titles in each: the UFC Lightweight Championship once and the Bellator Lightweight World Championship twice. Alvarez was the first Lightweight champion in Bellator MMA. He has also competed for the Japanese DREAM promotion, where he fought in their inaugural Lightweight Grand Prix. Alvarez also fought once for ProElite's EliteXC.

Timothy Wallace Credeur II is a retired American mixed martial artist. He was a cast member of Spike TV's The Ultimate Fighter 7 and was defeated by fellow cast member Jesse Taylor in the semi-finals. He was then brought back into the competition following the disqualification of Taylor. He fought C.B. Dollaway for a spot in the finals and lost to Dollaway via decision.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Korean Zombie</span> South Korean mixed martial artist (born 1987)

Jung Chan-sung, better known by his ring name The Korean Zombie, is a South Korean professional mixed martial artist and kickboxer. He currently competes in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional competitor since 2007, Jung formerly fought for the WEC, Pancrase, World Victory Road, and DEEP. His nickname, The Korean Zombie, comes from his zombie-like ability to continue to move forward and fight aggressively, even after taking heavy blows. As of November 8, 2022, he is #6 in the UFC featherweight rankings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Pettis</span> American mixed martial artist (born 1987)

Anthony Paul Pettis is an American professional mixed martial artist. He is currently signed to the Professional Fighters League. Pettis formerly fought in the Welterweight, Lightweight, and Featherweight divisions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is a former UFC Lightweight Champion. Pettis was also the final WEC Lightweight Champion prior to the promotion being merged into the UFC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jonathan Brookins</span> American mixed martial arts fighter

Jonathan Quinn Brookins is an American mixed martial artist who competed as a featherweight for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional MMA competitor since 2006, Brookins has mostly fought in Florida, as well as competing in The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck. On December 4, 2010, Brookins defeated Michael Johnson to become the Ultimate Fighter and earn a contract with the UFC. During his time at Lindenwood University he was also the college roommate of former fellow UFC fighter Mike Rio.

Pablo Garza is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the Featherweight division. He has competed for the UFC, WEC, and was a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dustin Poirier</span> American mixed martial artist

Dustin Poirier is an American professional mixed martial artist. He is a former Interim UFC Lightweight Champion. As of May 9, 2022, he is #2 in the UFC lightweight rankings and as of October 24, 2022, he is #11 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings.

<i>Fight Life</i> Mixed martial arts documentary

Fight Life is a feature-length documentary on the sport of mixed martial arts. The film is directed by independent filmmaker James Z. Feng and produced by RiLL Films. The film focuses on the lives of professional mixed martial arts fighters outside the cage, primarily profiling Jake Shields, 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, Gilbert Melendez, Chuck Liddell, Frank Shamrock, Miesha Tate, John McCarthy, Julianna Pena, Michael Chiesa, Herschel Walker, Sam Sheridan, Mark Coleman, 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khabib Nurmagomedov</span> Russian mixed martial artist (born 1988)

Khabib Abdulmanapovich Nurmagomedov is a Russian former professional mixed martial artist. He competed in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he was the longest-reigning UFC Lightweight Champion, having held the title from April 2018 to March 2021. With 29 wins and no losses, he retired with an undefeated record. Nurmagomedov is widely considered to be among the greatest mixed martial artists of all time, and was inducted into UFC Hall of Fame on June 30, 2022.

Hamid Khorassani, professionally known as Akira Corassani, is a retired Iranian-Swedish mixed martial artist who most recently competed as a Featherweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional MMA competitor since 2007, Corassani has made a name for himself fighting mainly in Western Europe. He was a competitor on Spike TV's The Ultimate Fighter: Team Bisping vs. Team Miller as a member of Team Bisping.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diego Brandão</span> Brazilian mixed martial artist

Diego Pereira Brandão is a Brazilian mixed martial artist currently competing in the Lightweight division. A professional since 2005, he formerly competed for the UFC, RIZIN, and Fight Nights Global. He was the winner of Spike TV's The Ultimate Fighter: Team Bisping vs. Team Miller.

The World MMA Awards are awards presented by Fighters Only magazine to honor exceptional performance in various aspects of mixed martial arts. Winners are presented with the Fighters Only silver statuette. The World MMA Awards are divided into over twenty categories. The first World MMA Awards ceremony was held in 2008. From their inception to the present, award winners have been chosen through online fan voting. It is the most prestigious award event in the world of MMA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conor McGregor</span> Irish mixed martial artist (born 1988)

Conor Anthony McGregor is an Irish professional mixed martial artist. He is a former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) featherweight and lightweight double-champion. He is the first UFC fighter to hold UFC championships in two weight classes simultaneously. He is also the former Cage Warriors featherweight and lightweight champion. As of 14 November 2022, he is ranked #14 in the UFC lightweight rankings.

Dustin Jacoby is an American mixed martial artist and kickboxer who currently competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. In kickboxing, he has competed for GLORY, and in MMA, he has competed also for Bellator, World Series of Fighting, and Titan FC. He has fought as both a Light Heavyweight and a Middleweight. On November 1, 2018, he was ranked as the #8 middleweight kickboxer in the world by Combat Press. As of November 8, 2022, he is #15 in the UFC light heavyweight rankings.

Daniel Hooker is a New Zealand mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Lightweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Hooker was the King in the Ring Middleweight Kickboxing Champion and WKBF X-Rules Welterweight Champion. As of November 15, 2022, he is #11 in the UFC lightweight rankings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Gaethje</span> American mixed martial artist (born 1988)

Justin Ray Gaethje is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Lightweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is a former Interim UFC Lightweight Champion. As of May 9, 2022, he is #3 in the UFC lightweight rankings.

References

  1. 1 2 Bryce, Renninger. "Showtime Buys Mixed Martial Arts Doc "Fightville"". Indie Wire. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
  2. Campbell, Morgan (24 April 2011). "Documentary exposes gritty, gruelling underside of MMA". TheStar.com. Toronto Star . Retrieved 17 April 2019.
  3. Chiappetta, Mike (13 May 2012). "'Fightville' Shows American Dream Through Eyes of UFC Star Dustin Poirier". MMAFighting.com. MMA Fighting . Retrieved 17 April 2019.
  4. Wright, Anders (30 April 2012). "We Interview FIGHTVILLE Directors Michael Tucker and Petra Epperlein About the MMA Documentary". Upcoming-Movies.com. Archived from the original on 20 May 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2012.