Cage fighting and Christianity are two things that normally don't go together. But the new faith-based film "The Fight Within" hopes to explore that combination.
Jim Davis, executive producer and screenwriter of the movie, tells The Christian Post that a cage and a fight are actually "spot-on metaphors to show a young man coming to terms with who he is and what life brings."
"Bare-knuckled mixed martial arts action film is not a traditional faith-based film, but we hope to engage a more diverse audience and share a message of hope and salvation through our story," he says. "This movie should also engage people with no sense of faith because inner struggle is universal."
However, Davis knows there will be some fans who will watch it not for the faith aspect but for the fight realism. "For authentic action, we've had viewers rank it far above a certain more well-known cage-fight movie," he says.
The movie will follow the story of Logan Chandler (John Major Davis), a young MMA fighter who is struggling to overcome a troubled past and build a new life based on his newfound faith in God and a new love. However, his past is determined to cling on to him as Hayden Dressler, a local MMA professional, pushes him back to the world of fighting.
The movie is directed by Michael William Gordon and shot mostly in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Aside from Davis, the cast includes Lelia Symington and Matt Leddo. MMA veteran and fight choreographer Mike Taylor, UFC Heavyweight champion Dan Severn, and Wesley Williams also appear in the film.
Davis hopes that those who watch the movie will be inspired to reflect on their life choices and God's calling in their lives. "People don't think about why they make the choices they make. We want them to leave the theatres asking what if: What if I did it God's way?" he says.
"The Fight Within" will be released on Aug. 12, 2016.
