In 2016 MMA was finally legalized in NY (the last state to do so). This documentary, representing my debut as a producer, was very close to my heart. The film received rave reviews and premiered at the Bronx Week Film Festival in 2011. We went on to screen at the Madison Square Garden MMA Documentary Festival and Fight Summit in Las Vegas. In 2013 New York MMA was distributed by FilmBuff via HULU and ran as part of their catalogue until 2016. I am glad to offer it to you now free of charge!
New York MMA serves not only as a fantastic history piece about our sport, but also a fantastic primer on MMA for new fans and a glimpse into the incredible fight community in New York. Since the filming of this movie, Bradley Desir (featured fighter), has become the Ring Of Combat Lightweight Champion and has fought, and won, at Madison Square Garden as part of the Fedor vs Sonnon Bellator NYC PPV card. I hope you enjoy the film!
REVIEWS
Anyone who cares about the future of MMA in New York State needs to watch this eye-opening film to discover who and what is keeping MMA out of Madison Square Garden.
Beyond the politics, however, this is a moving portrait of athletes in exile – men and women who are forbidden to engage in the sport they love in their own city.
-Mike Tucker, Director, Fightville & Gunner Palace
New York Mixed Martial Arts shows the audience the fiery yet kind heart of the sport’s culture and dares them not to like it. – Peter Lampasona, US Combat Sports
This is an important piece of work, and every aspect of it works together to create a coherent piece of engaging story-telling that hooks you into this world and transforms the viewer from an outsider to an insider in the span of an hour. -The Fight Nerd, thefightnerd.com
It is a rare glimpse inside MMA, but it is a gem at the same time because it will open your eyes and help you understand that this sport is so much more than punches, kicks, and choke holds. -Shawn Baran, TheGarv.com
Thumbs up for New York Mixed Martial Arts documentary! -Jim Genia, MMAConvert.com
It’s going to be a great ambassador for the legalization movement…they clearly debunk the no holds barred myth that is associated with the sport -Beth Hurrle, Bloodyelbow.com
New York Mixed Martial Arts beautifully captures the essence of what it is to be an MMA fighter in New York. -Anil Melwani, MMA.us
Full reviews here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1966536/externalreviews
CREDITS
New York Mixed Martial Arts is an enthralling documentary that provides a back seat view of the grass roots struggle to legalize and regulate the professional sport of mixed martial arts (MMA) in New York State. New York is one of a handful of states in which MMA is still outlawed; sacrificing athlete safety, jobs and millions of dollars in revenue to neighboring states and countries since 1997. In his first feature length film, martial artist and filmmaker Kahleem Poole – Tejada presents an intimate account of the struggle to legalize MMA through the lens of one amateur fighter’s (Bradley Desir) quest to turn professional under the guidance of his coach (Stephen Koepfer). Viewers are offered a rare glimpse behind the curtain of the political, sometimes frightening, and always exciting world of mixed martial arts.
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
Rob Terlizzi
PRODUCER:
Stephen Koepfer
DIRECTOR, DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY, AND EDITOR:
Kahleem Poole-Tejada
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR:
Levan Reginald Hines
CAMERA:
Robert Billings
STARRING:
Bradley Desir
Stephen Koepfer
Tyga Maclin
Eddie Goldman
Paula Romero
Justin Klein
SPECIAL APPEARANCES BY:
Josh Barnett
Gesias Calvacante
Fedor Emilianenko
Steve Kardian
Steven Katz
Tara LaRosa
New York Assemblyman Dean Murray
Nestor Marte
New York City Councilman Joel Rivera
Bas Rutten
Oleg Savitsky
Frank Shamrock
Mike Straka
Dana White
RUNNING TIME:
58 minutes
Learn More about the film here:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1966536/combined
www.nymmanow.blogspot.com
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