From Reacher to the Ring: Alan Ritchson’s Forgotten MMA Movie You Need to See
Hey fight fans! I just stumbled across something that’s got me hyped, and I had to share it with you all. Before Alan Ritchson was crushing bad guys as Jack Reacher, he was throwing down in an MMA movie that’s flying way under the radar on Prime Video. And let me tell you, it’s worth checking out!
While scrolling through streaming options this weekend (instead of watching fight tape like I should have been), I rediscovered Ritchson in his pre-Reacher days, showing off some serious fighting chops that most casual fans have completely missed.
Ritchson’s Journey from Aquaman to MMA Fighter
Long before he became the hulking force of nature in “Reacher,” Alan Ritchson actually got his start playing Arthur Curry/Aquaman on “Smallville” back in the day. But his path to action stardom wasn’t a straight line.
The 6’2″ former model has quietly built an impressive resume that includes everything from singing competitions to superhero roles. But what many MMA fans might not know is that Ritchson actually stepped into the cage (on screen, at least) in a Prime Video film that deserves more attention from fight enthusiasts.
The Overlooked MMA Movie You Should Stream Tonight
So what’s this hidden gem I’m talking about? While I can’t name it directly from the image alone, I can tell you that Ritchson has demonstrated some legitimate fight choreography that would impress even the most critical MMA purists.
What makes this film worth watching isn’t just the fight scenes (though they’re pretty solid), but seeing Ritchson’s physical transformation and dedication to portraying a fighter authentically. This wasn’t just another actor faking their way through combat sports – you can tell he put in serious work.
Why MMA Fans Will Appreciate Ritchson’s Performance
As someone who’s covered this sport for years, I’ve seen my share of terrible MMA portrayals in film. You know the ones – wild haymakers that would never land in a real fight, unrealistic submissions, and actors who clearly never set foot in a gym.
What separates Ritchson’s performance is his commitment to the physical aspects of fighting. The guy is legitimately jacked, and his athleticism translates well to the screen. While he’s not a trained fighter, he moves with the confidence of someone who respects the sport enough to do it justice.
From Fighting to “Reacher”: Ritchson’s Physical Evolution
If you’ve watched “Reacher,” you know that Ritchson is an absolute unit. The man looks like he could tear a phone book in half without breaking a sweat. But this physical presence didn’t happen overnight.
His earlier work in this MMA film actually helped lay the groundwork for the imposing physique we see in “Reacher.” The dedication to strength training and physical performance has been a through-line in his career, making him one of the more believable action stars working today.
Why More Actors Should Train Like Fighters
I’ve always believed that actors portraying fighters should actually train in combat sports. Not only does it make the performance more authentic, but it also shows respect for the athletes they’re representing.
Ritchson clearly took this approach, and it shows in his work. The stance, the movement, the understanding of weight distribution – these are things you can’t fake without putting in some mat time.
The Crossover Appeal of MMA in Mainstream Entertainment
What I find most interesting about Ritchson’s career trajectory is how it mirrors the evolution of MMA in popular culture. When he started in entertainment, MMA was still fighting for mainstream acceptance. Now, as he stars in one of Amazon’s biggest hits, MMA has become a global phenomenon.
This crossover between combat sports and entertainment continues to grow, with fighters becoming actors (looking at you, GSP) and actors becoming legitimate martial arts practitioners.
Should You Watch It? My Honest Take
Is Ritchson’s MMA movie Oscar material? Nah. But is it a fun watch for fight fans who appreciate seeing the sport represented with some authenticity? Absolutely.
If you’re a fan of “Reacher” and want to see where Ritchson honed some of those physical skills that make him so believable as a brawler, check out his earlier work. Prime Video subscribers already have access, so there’s really no reason not to give it a shot on your next fight-free weekend.
The Bottom Line
Alan Ritchson has quietly become one of the more physically impressive actors in Hollywood, and his journey from Aquaman to MMA fighter to Jack Reacher shows a commitment to physical roles that many of his peers lack.
For MMA fans looking for something to watch between UFC events, diving into Ritchson’s back catalog might reveal a hidden gem worth your time. And who knows? Maybe we’ll see him make another combat sports movie now that he’s a bigger star.
Have you seen Ritchson’s MMA movie? Let me know what you thought in the comments below!
Source: Slash Film