Finally a fictional MMA account that doesn’t suck.
When it comes to films and television shows about mixed martial arts, most have been hack attempts at milking the sport for all it has. Many of the films aren’t written exceptionally well and have a hard time conveying the truth behind the sport. Many of the fictional MMA tales that are told are either cranked up to an unrealistic level or are completely inaccurate in it’s approach to displaying the lifestyle of a mixed martial artist. At least that was the notion until the 2011 film Warrior got it mostly right. It was still sensational and had some sports movie cliches in there as well, but it was far closer to reality than what we’ve been getting in the past.
In the vein of Warrior, the Audience Network’s TV drama Kingdom goes a step further in presenting the MMA in a true light. Kingdom follows the exploits of fighters out of a gym called Navy St. ran by a retired fighter Alvey Kulina. The Kulina family as well as their friends and loved ones play a pivotal role in presenting what it’s truly like to live the lifestyle of a fighter. It’s not pretty and pulls no punches and that’s exactly what we need out of show looking to present fictional MMA with some authenticity.
Why should an MMA or practioner be watching Kingdom? Besides the fact that it’s well written and features some well choreographed fight scenes, it obviously has the approval of MMA veterans including mastermind coach Greg Jackson who works as a consultant on the show, UFC vet Joe “Daddy” Stevenson who plays a small but integral role throughout the series, and a number of professional fighters who are truly invested in bringing that smack of reality that most MMA films have lacked in the past. If you’re a fight fan, like a good story, and want to see some of the ins and outs of what it’s like to live the life of a mixed martial artist, then Kingdom is certainly a show that you need to see.
Do you watch Kingdom?
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Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his Twitter and Facebook to keep up with his antics.
