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Unrivaled - every cage has it's king.

Argentinean kick boxer Hector Echavarria, last seen starring in his previous project Never Surrender, alongside UFC fighters including Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackon, (BA Baracus – A-Team), returns to star in another mix martial arts movie – Unrivaled.

No Rampage Jackson this time, but keep ‘em peeled for a devastating Rampage-slam from Quinton’s opponent at UFC 114 – Rashad Evans.

Hector brings with him a whole new bunch of UFC faces. Sugar – Rashad Evans slips easily into the role of  cocky cage fighting champion Christopher Holland, alongside a supporting cast of Nate ‘The Great’ Marquardt, Forrest Griffin plus Greg Jackson stable-mate Dean of Mean – Keith Jardine.

From the outset it’s easy to get drawn in. A cage fight scene kicks off proceedings, featuring Marquardt pulverising kick boxer Ringo Duran (Echavarria), using a steel coupling as a knuckle-duster. The underhandedness of Duran’s opponent, coupled with gangsters getting heavy on our hero firmly establishes his  role as underdog.

Ringo’s job outside of cage combat is a job with rather nice (ahem) perks, yes the dude works behind the bar of a strip club, where he meets gorgeous girlfriend Kara.

The next UFC fighter to take a disliking to Duran is Jardine’s character, who hands the unfortunate martial artist another beating. Following the beat-down courtesy of the ‘Dean of Mean’, live on TV Maximum Cage Warrior League (MCW) announce a competition to discover the next big thing. The winner of which earns the opportunity to challenge reigning champ Christopher ‘The Pressure’ Holland (Evans).

Unrivaled moves along at a good pace, following Ringo’s rise, overcoming adversity, in this no holds barred fight flick facing foes in and out of the cage.

Unlike Echavarria’s previous foray – Never Surrender, Unrivaled works a whole lot better.  As expected the movie  is loaded with ample gangsters, girls and stacks of gripping action but the difference being the whole feel of the film. Thanks to a decent plot, good characterisation, neatly topped off with a hero the viewer can get behind we a film you will enjoy. Oh yes, I musn’t forget that magical sprinkling of stripper poetry tossed in for good measure!

Unrivaled is released by E1 Entertainment on Monday 24th May, exclusively on DVD.

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MMA DVD review by Duane Farr

duane@bluraymma.com