Movies like UFC 17: Redemption (1998)
The best movies like UFC 17: Redemption (1998) are Road House (2024), Redemption: The Stan Tookie Williams Story (2004) and Rocky Balboa (2006). If UFC 17: Redemption hooked you, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedA Dog's Journey (2019)8.1/10 from 1,669 votes
- NewestLion Fist (2026)Released 2026
Road 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 thisRedemption: The Stan Tookie Williams Story (2004)
Redemption tells the story of Stan "Tookie" Williams, founder of the Crips L.A. street gang. Story follows his fall into gang-banging, his prison term, and his work writing children's novels encouraging peace and anti-violence resolutions which earned him multiple Nobel Peace Prize nominations. After exhausting all forms of appeal, Tookie was executed by lethal injection.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRocky Balboa (2006)
When he loses a highly publicized virtual boxing match to ex-champ Rocky Balboa, reigning heavyweight titleholder Mason Dixon retaliates by challenging the Italian Stallion to a 10-round exhibition bout. To the surprise of his son and friends, Rocky agrees to come out of retirement and face an opponent who's faster, stronger and thirty years his junior. Rocky takes on Dixon in what will become the greatest fight in boxing history!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWise Blood (1979)
A Southerner--young, poor, ambitious but uneducated--determines to become something in the world. He decides that the best way to do that is to become a preacher and start up his own church.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisOldboy (2013)
A man has only three and a half days and limited resources to discover why he was imprisoned in a nondescript room for 20 years without any explanation.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
SnoozefestMovies like thisA Dog's Journey (2019)
A dog finds the meaning of his own existence through the lives of the humans he meets.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Absolute CinemaMovies 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 thisFive Minutes of Heaven (2009)
The story of former Ulster Volunteer Force member Alistair Little. Twenty-five years after Little killed Joe Griffin's brother, the media arrange an auspicious meeting between the two.
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 Unforgivable (2021)
A woman is released from prison after serving a sentence for a violent crime and re-enters a society that refuses to forgive her past.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSoul on Fire (2025)
After a horrific accident leaves his body scarred, a young boy strives to live and show everyone what is possible with the help of his family, his faith, his community, his longtime idol's kindness, and the entire city of St. Louis.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962)
A rebellious youth, sentenced to a boy’s reformatory for robbing a bakery, rises through the ranks of the institution by impressing its Governor through his prowess as a long distance runner. He is encouraged to compete in an upcoming race, but faces ridicule from his peers.
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 thisFried Green Tomatoes (1991)
Amidst her own personality crisis, a southern housewife meets an outgoing old woman who tells her the story of Idgie Threadgoode and Ruth Jamison, two young women who experienced hardships and love in 1920s Whistle Stop, Alabama.
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 this24 Hours to Live (2017)
An assassin seeks redemption after being given a second chance at life.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLion Fist (2026)
Martial arts fighter Joe goes to prison for four years and takes his wife's blame for a drug bust. After his release, he learns that his son needs expensive surgery because of a life-threatening tumor. Joe's only chance to save him: a brutal all-styles tournament with a $100,000 prize.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisLegend of the White Dragon (2026)
Forced to hide in the shadows, fugitive hero Erik Reed must clear his name to reunite with his family. Standing in his way is a mysterious villain obsessed with destroying the White Dragon for good.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDead Presidents (1995)
On the streets they call cash dead presidents. And that's just what a Vietnam veteran is after when he returns home from the war only to find himself drawn into a life of crime. With the aid of his fellow vets he plans the ultimate heist -- a daring robbery of an armored car filled with unmarked U.S. currency!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisUFC 100: Lesnar vs. Mir 2 (2009)
UFC 100 was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on July 11, 2009, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main event was a rematch between UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar and Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Frank Mir.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
UFC 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
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
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
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
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like UFC 17: Redemption?
The closest matches to UFC 17: Redemption are Road House (2024), Redemption: The Stan Tookie Williams Story (2004) and Rocky Balboa (2006). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after UFC 17: Redemption?
Start with Road House (2024), the closest match to UFC 17: Redemption.
What is the highest-rated movie like UFC 17: Redemption?
A Dog's Journey (2019), rated 8.1/10 by 1,669 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like UFC 17: Redemption?
Lion Fist (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like UFC 17: Redemption?
Yes: Road House (2024), Redemption: The Stan Tookie Williams Story (2004) and Rocky Balboa (2006).
How are movies similar to UFC 17: Redemption chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside UFC 17: Redemption, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.