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MMA Fans Anticipate New Netflix Series “La Cage”

The world of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is about to receive a fresh narrative from the film and television industry, as excitement builds around Netflix’s upcoming series, La Cage (translated as The Cage). After the sport’s emergence in the 1990s, enthusiasts have yearned for a cinematic portrayal that does justice to MMA, much like the iconic boxing film Rocky. While Hollywood’s previous effort in this realm, Warrior, featuring Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton, earned critical acclaim, hopes are high for the new series.

Netflix has just released the initial trailer for La Cage, which tells the story of an aspiring French fighter aiming to break into the UFC in a bid to uplift his family’s circumstances. Central to the plot is the character Taylor, portrayed by Melvin Boomer, who faces off against Ibrahim, played by rapper Bosh, one of the top prospects in France. The choice to set this narrative in France is particularly noteworthy, as MMA was only legalized in the country in 2020, leaving a wealth of untapped talent and stories to explore. The series comes to life under the creative direction of Sylvain Caron, known for Balthazar, and Franck Gastambide from Taxi 5. Fans can check out the trailer below:

Enhancing its appeal, La Cage features appearances from several prominent UFC stars. Among them is Ciryl Gane, a former Interim Heavyweight Champion who trains in Paris, lending authenticity to the storyline. The series will also include a cameo by legendary MMA figure Georges St-Pierre, with the added intrigue of controversial veteran Jon Jones appearing, perhaps shedding light on his absence from the octagon.

Challenges of Accurately Portraying MMA in Film

In the early 2000s, Hollywood attempted to capitalize on the rising popularity of the UFC with films such as Boyka: Undisputed and Never Back Down, which delivered a stylized, often exaggerated depiction of the sport. While these films garnered their own fanbases, many true MMA aficionados criticized their portrayal of the sport as unrealistic. Enter Warrior, a film directed by Gavin O’Connor that continues to be regarded as the gold standard for MMA films more than ten years after its release. This begs the question: why does Hollywood struggle to represent MMA accurately on screen?

The UFC was established in 1993 to evaluate the effectiveness of different martial arts styles against one another, emphasizing the need for authentic, functional fighting. This foundational principle has shaped the sport, influencing how fans perceive and engage with it. Nevertheless, this commitment to realism presents a challenge for filmmakers. Authentic MMA fights can be complex, and capturing the nuances of effective striking and grappling presents difficulties when translated to the cinematic format.

Successful films like John Wick have crafted effective fight choreography that sometimes mirrors MMA techniques; yet, the multifaceted nature of MMA can be elusive for artists. With the involvement of genuine UFC talent in La Cage, there’s a sense of optimism that this series may finally manage to portray the sport authentically while captivating audiences with its storytelling.

Source
movieweb.com