There surely isn’t any doubt that mixed martial arts is an absolutely brutal sport to participate in, one which can take a significant physical, mental and emotional toll on its competitors. A new documentary follows and interviews several of the sport’s most well-known combatants to provide a behind-the-scenes look at the training that these matches demand, the damage that some fighters have suffered, and the difficulties they face when losses and failure cause setbacks in prospective careers.
The Hurt Business features MMA fighters such as Ronda Rousey, Georges St-Pierre, Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz, and Jon Jones talking about the mentality required to succeed in this sport, the unique personalities such a venture attracts, and the stark fears that such physical violence will cost them dearly. These folks aren’t going to settle for desk jobs. Take a look at the teaser trailer:
“Have you ever felt bad about hurting anybody?” That’s not a question typically asked in many lines of work, especially in a civilian capacity. While The Hurt Business doesn’t appear to be any sort of celebration of mixed martial arts, it also doesn’t look like a harsh criticism of the sport and those who choose that lifestyle either. Yet the film also apparently doesn’t shy away from the repercussions — physical injury, brain damage, death — that fighters face, especially the longer they compete.
Will any sort of additional information need to be provided in light of Jones’ positive doping test and subsequent removal from UFC 200, which could result in a two-year suspension? That could make for a compelling addition to the documentary’s narrative, perhaps reinforcing the lengths to which fighters will go to train harder, become bigger and faster, or avoid a physical decline in skills.
Directed by Vlad Yudin (Generation Iron), produced by Jim Czarnecki (Bigger Stronger Faster, Vice News) and narrated by Kevin Costner, The Hurt Business is set to be released in theaters this fall.
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