New York MMA

At the premier of NY MMA I joked with Peter Lamapsona, a writer for USCombatSports.com that this would be the worst place for some drunk or troublemaker to start a fight. As he pointed out in addition the various MMA martial artist in the room their were at least 2 or more title holders in the Room including Eddie Alvarez, a current lightweight champion and also interview subject for the documentary. The drunk/troublemaker scenario would quickly turn into the Chappelle show skit, “When Keeping it Real Goes Wrong.”

Fortunately for all imaginary drunks and troublemakers that scenario was just a mental exercise. NY MMA as a documentary argues and illustrates that as a sport it celebrates the discipline and dedication of the people involved especially people in the NY scene where for various reasons its illegal.

In many ways NYC is the perfect fit for MMA . With a international reputation for toughness and a international reputation for being international. MMA with its modern gladiators and the impossibility of being part of the MMA scene and not encounter a Brazilian, Dutch, Eastern European, or Japanese accent. Accents and toughness that would be right at home in NYC.

Yet despite this the early reputation of MMA as human cockfight lingers and part of the consequence of this is the State wide Ban on MMA bouts. Part of the consequence of that is shown when we encounter Bradley Desir, Promising MMA fighter who because of the ban on MMA has to travel to other states to qualify and compete in the sport he loves.

The documentary covers a wider array of the MMA world from Martial Arts Teachers to Public Relations, Executives like Dana White of UFC and important figures in the sport like Bas Rutten, Josh Barnett and others.

But noticeable in the documentary about a sports origin in combat is that it has a lack of an opponent. The fighters and MMA professionals are all given a real voice and personality yet the opposition to them is vague. The vague rule against MMA in NYC is never personified as well as the opinions of the fighters and teachers the Filmmakers interview. No politician or public figure or voice on the street who stands against the legalization of MMA is ever giving a clear voice to either critique or show their motivation.

Another lack of the documentary is the Filmmakers take far too long to introduce what turns out to be a sly sense of humor. There humor which is only apparent in the third act, creates some of the documentaries more entertaining moments, such as a in joke about the illegal practice of a popular MMA fighter, Relaying the many many rules in place to safeguard fighters while having some in jokes and adds a levity to the professional and intelligent tone most of the interviewers take.

In all a good documentary but the lack of a clear counterpoint and a unexplained subjugation of a wonderful sense of humor that makes many good points in arguing for legalization of MMA in New York.