From the Cage to the (Assassin’s) Creed

Mixed Martial Arts has slowly but progressively been transitioning over to Hollywood the past few years. There’s always be an element of martial arts in Hollywood, but now it’s become so more apparent.

Whilst enjoying frequent trips to the cinema, I have noticed more and more MMA ‘moves’ used in action scenes throughout the past few years in Hollywood. In Pacific Rim (2013), the protagonist, Raleigh (Charlie Hunnam) gets into a physical altercation. At the end of the fight, Raleigh manages to slither his way into applying an omoplata on his opponent. In Haywire (2011), women’s MMA pioneer, Gina Carano stars as the lead character seeking payback after having been betrayed. Throughout the film, Carano lands a multitude of moves including triangle chokes, armbars, rear-naked chokes and even a showtime-Pettis-esque kick. Randy Couture featured in The Expendables (2010) showing off extravagant takedowns and even landing a superman punch. These few years have proved pivotal for fighters in MMA wanting to transition over to Hollywood.

Of course, I could go on and on about MMA in films throughout the years but this article is more than highlighting the ever on-going fight sequences Hollywood has to offer. Delroy McDowell (3-0), whose last win came over UFC fighter Leon Edwards in 2012, recently helped the marketing department in Hollywood’s new action epic, Assassin’s Creed.

“They were looking for a small team of guys with specific skill backgrounds to recreate an assassin’s training facility for promotion of the film [Assassin’s Creed], so I was recruited along with a guy called Colin Howells,” explains McDowell. “I was basically headhunted following a couple of recommendations.”

On whether we would see him in future films, McDowell went on to say: “I’ve worked as a special action extra in a few films now but I can’t really talk about specifics until after a film is released.”

I asked McDowell if, like me, he thinks MMA has become more apparent in films over the years,”it’s definitely grown, but there’s always been a presence of martial artists in film.”

“Looking at high profile fighters getting more involved in larger roles, it works both ways in promoting the athletes and the sport. I’ll always remember the legend Dave Legeno in Harry Potter as the milestone for me personally. Inspirational!”