Movies like ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang (2025)
The best movies like ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang (2025) are Born a Champion (2021), Never Back Down: No Surrender (2016) and Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown (2011). If ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang hooked you, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedBeast (2026)7.5/10 from 227 votes
- NewestBeast (2026)Released 2026
Born a Champion (2021)
After a blood- soaked jujitsu match in Dubai, fighting legend Mickey Kelley falls to superstar Blaine. But years later, an online video proves that Blaine cheated, and the world demands a rematch. Can the aging underdog get back into shape in time to vanquish his foe, get revenge, and claim his prize?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisNever 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 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 thisJawbone (2017)
A former youth boxing champion, Jimmy McCabe is a man in search of hope but looking in all the wrong places. When he hits rock bottom he turns to his childhood boxing club and the only family he has left: gym owner Bill corner man Eddie and promoter Joe. Back in training, years after anyone thought he was a contender, he risks his life, as he tries to stand tall and regain his place in the world.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBlood and Bone (2009)
In Los Angeles, an ex-con takes the underground fighting world by storm in his quest to fulfill a promise to a dead friend.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBeast (2026)
MMA legend Patton James, now a commercial fisherman, is pulled back into the cage when his brother is in danger. Reuniting with his old coach Sammy, he commits to one final fight in one championship against the brutal champion Xavier Grau.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisResurrecting the Champ (2007)
Up-and-coming sports reporter rescues a homeless man ("Champ") only to discover that he is, in fact, a boxing legend believed to have passed away. What begins as an opportunity to resurrect Champ's story and escape the shadow of his father's success becomes a personal journey as the ambitious reporter reexamines his own life and his relationship with his family.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisUnleashed (2005)
Raised as a slave, Danny is used to fighting for his survival. In fact, his "master," Bart, thinks of him as a pet and goes as far as leashing him with a collar so they can make money in fight clubs, where Danny is the main contender. When Bart's crew is in a car accident, Danny escapes and meets a blind, kindhearted piano tuner who takes him in and uses music to free the fighter's long-buried heart.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisCagefighter: Worlds Collide (2020)
Reiss is the greatest champion to ever fight in a LEGENDS cage. But when promoter Max Black pits him against wrestling superstar Randy Stone, Reiss finds himself in the toughest fight of his life.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisFemale Fight Squad (2017)
A former fighter reluctantly returns to the life she abandoned in order to help her sister survive the sadistic world of illegal fighting and the maniac who runs it.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPrizefighter: The Life of Jem Belcher (2022)
At the turn of the 19th century, Pugilism was the sport of kings and a gifted young boxer fought his way to becoming champion of England.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBloodsport (1988)
An American Army Major goes AWOL to Hong Kong for an outlawed martial arts contest called the Kumite.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAmerican Shaolin (1991)
After facing brutal humiliation in the ring, a young karateka travels to China in order to study the ancient art of Shaolin Kung Fu, becoming the first American Shaolin.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Tournament (2009)
Every seven years, in an unsuspecting town, The Tournament takes place. A battle royale between 30 of the world's deadliest assassins. The last man standing receives the $10,000,000 cash prize and the title of World's No. 1 Assassin, which itself carries the legendary million dollar-a-bullet price tag.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
SnoozefestMovies like thisWWE Crown Jewel 2021 (2021)
The 2021 Crown Jewel was a professional wrestling event produced by WWE. It was the third Crown Jewel and took place on October 21, 2021, at Mohammed Abdu Arena on The Boulevard in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as part of Riyadh Season. The event aired via pay-per-view and livestreaming, marking the first Crown Jewel to air on Peacock in the United States.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisShootfighter: Fight to the Death (1993)
Nick and Ruben are hoodwinked into a "shootfighter" (no-holds-barred, to the death) martial arts match by the evil Mr. Lee, who has a grudge against world shootfighter champ(and teacher of Nick and Ruben) Shingo.
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 thisUndisputed (2002)
Monroe Hutchens is the heavyweight champion of Sweetwater, a maximum security prison. He was convicted to a life sentence due to a passionate crime. Iceman Chambers is the heavyweight champion, who lost his title due to a rape conviction to ten years in Sweetwater. When these two giants collide in the same prison, they fight against each other disputing who is the real champion.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Paper Tigers (2020)
Three middle aged men polish their martial arts skills to avenge their fallen master.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisIn the Blood (2014)
When her husband goes missing during their Caribbean vacation, a woman sets off on her own to take down the men she thinks are responsible.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
SnoozefestMovies like thisBellator 287: Piccolotti vs. Barnaoui (2022)
Bellator 287: Piccolotti vs. Barnaoui (also known as Bellator Milan) is a mixed martial arts event produced by Bellator MMA, that took place on October 29, 2022, at the Allianz Cloud Arena in Milan, Italy.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
"A Good Man" (2026)
An exploration of masculinity through a close-knit Brazilian Jiu Jitsu community built on brotherhood and faith.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Beyond Skyline (2017)
Detective Mark Corley storms his way onto an alien spaceship to rescue his estranged son. When the ship crashes in Southeast Asia, he forges an alliance with a band of survivors to take back the planet once and for all.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
SnoozefestMovies like thisRISE 185 (2025)
RISE 185 live from the iconic Korakuen Hall in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan. The main event features Haruto Yasumoto versus Xianjing Wang in a high-stakes professional kickboxing bout, promising an intense showdown. With 11 fights on the card, this event delivers non-stop action for fans in attendance and those watching the exclusive free live stream on ABEMA.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
RISE 186 (2025)
RISE 186 live from the renowned Korakuen Hall in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan. The main event showcases a flyweight clash between former champion Riku Kazushima and contender Tenshi Matsumoto, promising a fierce battle of skill and strategy. With 11 dynamic fights on the card, this event delivers relentless excitement for fans in the venue and those streaming live on ABEMA.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
RISE World Series 2024: Final (2024)
RISE WORLD SERIES 2024 FINAL, an explosive kickboxing event, takes place at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan, showcasing the highly anticipated GLORY RISE Featherweight Grand Prix. The tournament features an eight-man bracket with top competitors like Japan’s Kento Haraguchi, Portugal’s Miguel Trindade, Australia’s Chadd Collins, and Mexico’s Abraham Vidales battling for the featherweight crown. This collaboration between RISE and GLORY brings together elite fighters from around the globe, including Thailand’s Petchpanomrung Kiatmoo9 and Korea’s Sung Hyun Lee, competing in a series of intense superfights. The main event highlights the Grand Prix final, where the semifinals’ victors face off in a 3-round clash with a potential extension round. With 16 fights on the card, this event promises a night of high-level striking action, streamed live on ABEMA for fans worldwide.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Bellator 181: Girtz vs. Campos 3 (2017)
Bellator 181: Girtz vs. Campos 3 took place on July 14, 2017, at the WinStar World Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma. The main event featured Brandon Girtz against Derek Campos in a rubber match. Campos won the pair's initial meeting in June 2013 at Bellator 96 by unanimous decision. Girtz avenged the loss in November 2015 at Bellator 146, where he won by knockout in the first round.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
UFC Fight Night 215: Nzechukwu vs. Cuțelaba (2022)
A heavyweight bout between former UFC Heavyweight Championship challenger Derrick Lewis and Sergey Spivak was expected to headline the event. However, while the event was in progress, Lewis was forced to withdraw due to non-COVID, non-weight cutting illness and the bout was cancelled. As a result, Kennedy Nzechukwu and Ion Cuțelaba instead headlined the event. Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Ion Cuțelaba (Light Heavyweight) Chase Sherman vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta (Heavyweight) André Fialho vs. Muslim Salikhov (Welterweight) Jack Della Maddalena vs. Danny Roberts (Welterweight) Charles Johnson vs. Zhalgas Zhumagulov (Flyweight)
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Conor McGregor: Notorious (2017)
Conor McGregor is the biggest star in the history of Mixed Martial Arts. Filmed over the course of 4 years, Notorious is the exclusive, all-access account of Conor’s meteoric rise from claiming benefits and living in his parents' spare room in Dublin to claiming multiple championship UFC belts and seven figure pay-packets in Las Vegas.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe University of Las Colinas (2020)
A group of troublemakers go back to school to avoid jail.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Like ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang and something else?
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang?
The closest matches to ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang are Born a Champion (2021), Never Back Down: No Surrender (2016) and Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown (2011). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang?
Start with Born a Champion (2021), the closest match to ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang.
What is the highest-rated movie like ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang?
Beast (2026), rated 7.5/10 by 227 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang?
Beast (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang?
Yes: Born a Champion (2021), Never Back Down: No Surrender (2016) and Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown (2011).
How are movies similar to ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.