Sherdog’s Top 10: MMA-Connected Movies

10. “Never Back Down” (2008)

Released on March 14, 2008, “Never Back Down” essentially serves as a loose remake of “The Karate Kid,” as a teenager moves across the country with his widowed mother and younger brother, only to find trouble at his new high school. The film stars Sean Faris as Jake Tyler, who unwittingly becomes entangled in a rivalry with an MMA champion. As a result, he seeks out the help of Jean Roqua, a martial arts trainer portrayed by the ubiquitous Djimon Hounsou. Written by Chris Hauty and directed by Jeff Wadlow, “Never Back Down” brought in $41.6 million at the box office and prompted a generally negative reaction from critics. Sara Michelle Fetters of ComingSoon.net wrote: “Sitting down to watch ‘Never Back Down,’ I admit I wasn’t expecting much from the new ‘Karate Kid’-style melodrama. Just know, for me to say the film rose above those expectations isn’t exactly a compliment; it’s just my way of saying the picture wasn’t anywhere near as horrific as I imagined it would be. As a matter of fact, at times it was even kind of fun.”

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