Movies like UFC 9: Motor City Madness (1996)
The best movies like UFC 9: Motor City Madness (1996) are Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown (2011), Never Back Down (2008) and The Big Brawl (1980). If UFC 9: Motor City Madness hooked you, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.

Quick picks
- Highest ratedWarrior (2011)7.8/10 from 5,224 votes
- NewestThe Smashing Machine (2025)Released 2025
Never 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 thisNever Back Down (2008)
Jake, full of anger after his father's death, is just starting to find a place for himself at his new Orlando high school - until Ryan, head of an underground MMA fight club, picks Jake out as a prime opponent. After being trounced by Ryan in front of the entire school, Jake begins training under the firm, moral guidance of a MMA master, where he learns how to fight... and how to avoid a fight. But it becomes obvious that a rematch will be inevitable if Jake wants to stop Ryan and his bullying, once and for all.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Big Brawl (1980)
A young Asian American martial artist is forced to participate in a brutal formal street-fight competition.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
SnoozefestMovies like thisFighting (2009)
Small-town boy Shawn MacArthur has come to New York City with nothing. Barely earning a living selling counterfeit goods on the streets, his luck changes when scam artist Harvey Boarden sees that he has a natural talent for streetfighting. When Harvey offers Shawn help at making the real cash, the two form an uneasy partnership.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Smashing Machine (2025)
In the late 1990s, up-and-coming mixed martial artist Mark Kerr aspires to become the greatest fighter in the world. However, he must also battle his opioid dependence and a volatile relationship with his girlfriend Dawn.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBorn 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 thisGladiator (1992)
Tommy Riley has moved with his dad to Chicago from a 'nice place'. He keeps to himself, goes to school. However, after a street fight, he's noticed and quickly falls into the world of illegal underground boxing — where punches can kill.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDave Chappelle: Killin' Them Softly (2000)
Dave Chappelle returns for a stand-up to D.C. and riffs on politics, police, race relations, drugs, Sesame Street and more.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisNever Back Down: Revolt (2021)
An amateur fighter is lured by a trafficking syndicate specializing in elite underground fighting where her brutal captor forces her to fight or face certain death.
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 thisPerfect Addiction (2023)
A female boxing trainer discovers that her champion cage-fighter boyfriend has been cheating on her with her sister and decides to seek revenge by training up his arch-rival to challenge him.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLady Bloodfight (2016)
Jane is a beautiful but troubled American girl backpacking through Japan, when her raw street fighting skills draw the attention of Oshima, Japanese karate champion, who recruits and trains her to fight in the vicious, all-female, underground martial arts tournament known as "The Kumite". After months of rigorous preparation, Jane is ready to face off against the deadliest female fighters in the world, including Ling, the Chinese apprentice of Oshima's nemesis. But other nefarious forces lie in the shadows, and Jane and Ling will have to unite on a journey that will take them from the gritty underworld of Hong Kong to the glitz of Macao, before deciding who really is the best female fighter on the planet.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Players Club (1998)
Single mother Diana struggles to provide for her child and pay for her college education. When she meets two dancers from a nearby gentlemen's club, Diana's convinced there's fast money to be made stripping.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWWE WrestleMania XXVIII (2012)
The Rock and John Cena collide in the most anticipated WrestleMania face-off in history, an epic match that will forever define the legacies of these icons. The Deadman stakes his entire legacy on one battle with Triple H inside the nightmarish prison they immortalized, Hell In A Cell, with The Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels as special guest referee. WWE Champion CM Punk faces off against Chris Jericho in the explosive clash of revolutionaries that will determine which man truly is “The Best In The World.” Daniel Bryan defends his title against a riled-up and ruthless Sheamus, who will have to fight through The Submission Specialist’s tactics to claim his first World Heavyweight Championship. Team Teddy takes on Team Johnny to determine which man will win total control of Raw and SmackDown. This was the twenty-eighth annual WrestleMania. It took place on April 1, 2012 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. It is the highest grossing PPV event in professional wrestling history.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisAny Which Way You Can (1980)
Philo takes part in a bare knuckle fight – as he does – to make more money than he can earn from his car repair business. He decides to retire, but when the Mafia come along and arrange another fight, he's pushed into it. A motorcycle gang and an orangutan called Clyde all add to the 'fun'.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
SnoozefestMovies like thisRoad House (2024)
Ex-UFC fighter Dalton takes a job as a bouncer at a Florida Keys roadhouse, only to discover that this paradise is not all it seems.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWWE WrestleMania 31 (2015)
WrestleMania 31 was the thirty-first annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by WWE. It took place on March 29, 2015, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisWarrior (2011)
The youngest son of an alcoholic former boxer returns home, where he's trained by his father for competition in a mixed martial arts tournament – a path that puts the fighter on a collision course with his estranged, older brother.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisLouis C.K.: Hilarious (2010)
In this unique and dynamic live concert experience, Louis C.K.'s exploration of life after 40 destroys politically correct images of modern life with thoughts we have all had...but would rarely admit to.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies 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 thisUFC 95: Sanchez vs Stevenson (2009)
UFC 95: Sanchez vs. Stevenson was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on February 21, 2009, at The O2 Arena in London, United Kingdom. The main event was a lightweight match-up between Diego Sanchez vs. Joe Stevenson.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
UFC 94: St-Pierre vs. Penn 2 (2009)
UFC 94: St-Pierre vs. Penn 2 was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on January 31, 2009. The main event featured the rematch of the UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St-Pierre against the UFC Lightweight Champion BJ Penn for the UFC Welterweight Championship.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
WEC 39: Brown vs. Garcia (2009)
WEC 39: Brown vs. Garcia Took place on March 1, 2009 in Corpus Christi, Texas. The event aired live on the Versus Network.WEC Featherweight Champion Mike Brown made his first title defense against number one contender Leonard Garcia.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
WEC 9: Cold Blooded (2004)
World Extreme Cagefighting returned to The Palace Indian Gaming Center in Lemoore, California for the ninth installment of promoters Scott Adams' and Reed Harris' emerging event. With a few big name guys and a packed stable of home grown talent, the WEC has started to make a push towards the top of the pack when it comes to regional events.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
UFC 96: Jackson vs. Jardine (2009)
UFC 96: Jackson vs. Jardine a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). It was held in Columbus, Ohio on March 7, 2009 at Nationwide Arena. The card was headlined by a Light Heavyweight bout between Quinton Jackson and Keith Jardine. Following the main event, Rashad Evans, training partner of Jardine and then-Light Heavyweight Champion, entered the cage and publicly challenged Jackson. It resulted in a long-standing feud between the two that would not be settled until 2010.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
1995 Atlanta Braves: The Official World Series Film (1995)
The 1995 World Series featured the two best teams in baseball. The Cleveland Indians won 100 games in a shortened season, and they made it to the World Series for the first time in 41 years. The Atlanta Braves had been here before, twice in the previous four years. With the best pitching staff in baseball, they were called the team of the '90's. Still they needed a World Series Title to claim that crown. This official documentary of the 1995 World Series includes all the dramatic moments of the six-game battle between the Indians and the Braves including: Eddie Murray's game-winning single at frenzied Jacobs Field. Orel Hershiser's gutsy performances against the incredible Greg Maddux. Dave Justice talking the talk...and then walking the walk. Tom Glavine, the series MVP, pitching one-hit baseball under phenomenal pressure.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
UFC 55: Fury (2005)
UFC 55: Fury was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on October 7, 2005 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovoski defends his title against hard-hitting Mexican striker Paul Buentello. The undercard is highlighted by The Ultimate Fighter Season 1 winner Forrest Griffin as he takes on Australia's Elvis Sinosic.
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
UFC 85: Bedlam (2008)
UFC 85: Bedlam was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on June 7, 2008, at The O2 Arena in London, United Kingdom. The main event was ultimately changed to Matt Hughes against Thiago Alves. Hughes took the fight on short notice as a favor to the UFC and Alves came in four pounds overweight.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Like UFC 9: Motor City Madness and something else?
Blend two favourites and we’ll find the films in between.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like UFC 9: Motor City Madness?
The closest matches to UFC 9: Motor City Madness are Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown (2011), Never Back Down (2008) and The Big Brawl (1980). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after UFC 9: Motor City Madness?
Start with Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown (2011), the closest match to UFC 9: Motor City Madness.
What is the highest-rated movie like UFC 9: Motor City Madness?
Warrior (2011), rated 7.8/10 by 5,224 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like UFC 9: Motor City Madness?
The Smashing Machine (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like UFC 9: Motor City Madness?
Yes: Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown (2011), Never Back Down (2008) and The Big Brawl (1980).
How are movies similar to UFC 9: Motor City Madness chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside UFC 9: Motor City Madness, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.





























