Movies like UFC 78: Validation (2007)
The best movies like UFC 78: Validation (2007) are Never Back Down: No Surrender (2016), Any Given Sunday (1999) and Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown (2011). If UFC 78: Validation hooked you, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.

Quick picks
- Highest ratedWork It (2020)7.5/10 from 1,234 votes
- NewestThe Last Kumite (2024)Released 2024
Never Back Down: No Surrender (2016)
Picking up after the events of Never Back Down 2, former MMA champion Case Walker is on the comeback trail to become champion once again.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAny Given Sunday (1999)
A star quarterback gets knocked out of the game and an unknown third stringer is called in to replace him. The unknown gives a stunning performance and forces the aging coach to reevaluate his game plans and life. A new co-owner/president adds to the pressure of winning. The new owner must prove herself in a male dominated world.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisNever Back Down 2: The Beatdown (2011)
Four fighters from different backgrounds come together to train under an ex MMA rising star and then ultimately have to fight each other and the traitor in their midst.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Last Kumite (2024)
When shady businessman Ron Hall kidnaps his daughter, retired karate champion Michael Rivers is forced to enter a deadly illegal Kumite tournament in Bulgaria. Enlisting the help of seasoned trainers Master Loren and Julie Jackson, he discovers other fighters face the same desperate struggle to save their loved ones.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Replacements (2000)
Maverick old-guard coach Jimmy McGinty is hired in the wake of a players' strike to help the Washington Sentinels advance to the playoffs. But that impossible dream hinges on whether his replacements can hunker down and do the job. So, McGinty dusts off his secret dossier of ex-players who never got a chance (or screwed up the one they were given) and knits together a bad-dream team of guys who just may give the Sentinels their title shot.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisJerry Seinfeld: I'm Telling You for the Last Time (1998)
Taped for HBO in August 1998, on the final date of Jerry Seinfeld's tour appearances at New York City's Broadhurst Theater, I'm Telling You for the Last Time presents the standup comedian's so-called "final" standup, or at least his final tour with the standup material that made him famous.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHands of Stone (2016)
The legendary Roberto Duran and his equally legendary trainer Ray Arcel change each other's lives.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBachelor Party (1984)
On the eve of his wedding to his longtime girlfriend, unassuming nice guy Rick is dragged out for a night of debauchery by his friends.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWWE WrestleMania XXV (2009)
WrestleMania XXV was the twenty-fifth annual WrestleMania PPV. It was presented by the National Guard and took place on April 5, 2009 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. The first main event was a singles match for the WWE Championship that featured the champion, Triple H, defending against Randy Orton. The second was a Triple Threat match for the World Heavyweight Championship, between defedning champion Edge against John Cena & Big Show. The third main event was The Undertaker versus Shawn Michaels. Featured matches on the undercard included, Jeff Hardy versus Matt Hardy in an Extreme Rules match, Chris Jericho versus the team of Roddy Piper, Ricky Steamboat and Jimmy Snuka, and the annual Money in the Bank ladder match featuring Kane, MVP, Mark Henry, Shelton Benjamin, Kofi Kingston, CM Punk, Christian, & Finlay. With an attendance of 72,744, it is the 6th largest attendance in WrestleMania history.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMonty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl (1982)
Monty Python perform many of their greatest sketches at the Hollywood Bowl, including several from pre-Python days.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Main Event (2020)
An 11-year-old aspiring wrestler enters a competition to become the next WWE superstar by using special powers from a magical mask.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGroot's First Steps (2022)
Following the events of “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1,” Baby Groot is finally ready to try taking his first steps out of his pot—only to learn you have to walk before you can run.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Boss Baby: Christmas Bonus (2022)
Christmas Eve takes a twisty turn when the Boss Baby accidentally swaps places with one of Santa's elves and gets stranded at the North Pole.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisStrictly Ballroom (1992)
Brave new steps put Scott's career in jeopardy. With a new partner and determination, can he still succeed?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Addams Family (2019)
The Addams family's lives begin to unravel when they face-off against a treacherous, greedy crafty reality-TV host while also preparing for their extended family to arrive for a major celebration.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHome Team (2022)
Two years after a Super Bowl win when NFL head coach Sean Payton is suspended, he goes back to his hometown and finds himself reconnecting with his 12-year-old son by coaching his Pop Warner football team.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDrumline (2002)
A talented street drummer from Harlem enrolls in a Southern university, expecting to lead its marching band's drumline to victory. He initially flounders in his new world, before realizing that it takes more than talent to reach the top.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisRomance & Cigarettes (2006)
Ironworker Nick lives with his wife, Kitty, and three daughters. When he meets a significantly younger woman, Tula, he starts an affair with her, much to the chagrin of his wife, and his life is thrown into upheaval. Kitty kicks Nick out of the house, and he is forced to make some difficult decisions.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWelcome to the Club (2022)
Heart set on becoming a princess, Lisa Simpson is surprised to learn being bad might be more fun.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWork It (2020)
A brilliant but clumsy high school senior vows to get into her late father's alma mater by transforming herself and a misfit squad into dance champions.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisNJPW G1 Climax 24: Day 3 (2014)
The third night of G1 Climax 24 took place on July 25, 2014, at the Yamagata City General Sports Center in Yamagata, Japan, and was headlined by a Block B match between Kazuchika Okada and Togi Makabe.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
WEC 47: Bowles vs. Cruz (2010)
On Saturday, March 6, 2010, WEC heads to Columbus, Ohio with a stacked card headlined by a world bantamweight title fight between champion Brian Bowles and number one contender Dominick Cruz. What’s more, WEC’s first trip to Columbus features the return of former bantamweight champion Miguel Angel Torres, as well as the comeback of former UFC® lightweight titleholder Jens Pulver.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
WEC 35: Condit vs. Miura (2008)
WEC 35: Condit vs. Miura was a mixed martial arts event held by World Extreme Cagefighting that took place on August 3, 2008 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event aired live on the Versus Network.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
UFC 91: Couture vs. Lesnar (2008)
UFC 91: Couture vs. Lesnar was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on November 15, 2008, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main event featured the return of UFC Heavyweight Champion Randy Couture versus WWE's Brock Lesnar in a title bout. The decision to grant Lesnar—who was 1–1 in UFC fights at the time—the title shot was controversial at the time. Some felt it was premature and marketing driven, while others argued the relative lack of depth in the heavyweight division at the time left no clear-cut contenders to the belt.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
UFC 54: Boiling Point (2005)
UFC 54: Boiling Point was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on August 20, 2005, at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.. UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Chuck Liddell makes his first title defense against the man who handed him his first ever defeat – Jeremy Horn. The undercard features the return of Randy "The Natural" Couture, the UFC debut of The Ultimate Fighter winner Diego Sanchez, and a highly anticipated welterweight match-up between Georges St. Pierre and Frank Trigg.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
UFC 53: Heavy Hitters (2005)
UFC 53: Heavy Hitters was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on June 4, 2005, at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Andrei Arlovski puts his interim Heavyweight Championship on the line against Justin Eilers. The undercard features a rematch for the UFC Middleweight Championship as Champion Evan Tanner defends this title against Rich Franklin. Other featured fighters include top ranked Forrest Griffin, Paul Buentello, Nate Quarry, David Loiseau, Nick Diaz and more.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
WEC 36: Faber vs. Brown (2008)
WEC 36: Faber vs. Brown took place on November 5, 2008 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida. The event aired live on the Versus Network. Paulo Filho fought again against Chael Sonnen in the main event of the evening. WEC Featherweight Champion Urijah Faber also put his belt on the line against Mike Brown.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
UFC 92: The Ultimate 2008 (2008)
UFC 92: The Ultimate 2008 was a mixed martial arts event by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) held on December 27, 2008 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main event featured number-one contender Rashad Evans fighting the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Forrest Griffin.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
UFC 93: Franklin vs. Henderson (2009)
UFC 93: Franklin vs. Henderson was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on January 17, 2009 at The O2, Dublin in Dublin, Ireland. The main event featured a Light Heavyweight bout between former UFC Middleweight Champion Rich Franklin and former Pride Middleweight Champion and Pride Welterweight Champion Dan Henderson. The winner of the fight would become the coach opposite Michael Bisping for the ninth season of The Ultimate Fighter: United States vs. United Kingdom.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Pride Shockwave 2006 (2006)
Pride Shockwave 2006 was a mixed martial arts event held by Pride Fighting Championships on December 31, 2006. In Japan, this event was called Pride Otoko Matsuri 2006: Fumetsu
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Like UFC 78: Validation and something else?
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like UFC 78: Validation?
The closest matches to UFC 78: Validation are Never Back Down: No Surrender (2016), Any Given Sunday (1999) and Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown (2011). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after UFC 78: Validation?
Start with Never Back Down: No Surrender (2016), the closest match to UFC 78: Validation.
What is the highest-rated movie like UFC 78: Validation?
Work It (2020), rated 7.5/10 by 1,234 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like UFC 78: Validation?
The Last Kumite (2024) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like UFC 78: Validation?
Yes: Never Back Down: No Surrender (2016), Any Given Sunday (1999) and Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown (2011).
How are movies similar to UFC 78: Validation chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside UFC 78: Validation, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.





























