Action

Born a Champion

ActionDramaSport

Mickey Kelley, one of the first American black belts in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, gets pulled away from everything he loves and into an unsanctioned MMA tournament.

Year

2021

Duration

1h 52m

IMDb

6.8

Trailer

Cast

Alex Ranarivelo

Director

Courtney Hope Turner

Interviewer

Maurice Compte

Rosco

Sean Patrick Flanery

Mickey Kelley

Christopher Troy

Parking Lot Drunk Guy #1

Christian Howard

Parking Lot Drunk Guy #2

Kit Dale

Parking Lot Drunk Guy #3

FL

Forrest Lucas

Mr. Miller

Katrina Bowden

Layla

Charlotte Lucas

Mrs. Miller

Landry Barb

Passenger

Ali Afshar

Sheik Bin Khalid

DK

David Kait

Stelios

Costas Mandylor

Dimitris

Steve Tanabe

Alvah

JA

Jahanshah Afshar

Shahid

Chris Boudreaux

Jimmy

Edson Barboza

Marco

Reno Wilson

Terry Pittman

Sean Patrick Flanery

Writer

Alex Ranarivelo

Writer

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Comments

10 comments

salwaMar 20, 2026

Elijah OluwagbengaApr 18, 2025

so much creative movie you ever seen

Tsietsi Mawillis MybAug 8, 2024

Man, this movie takes me back to the beginning of bjj in America!! I was there and this movie is spot on. Brought to life by a real bjj black belt, Sean Patrick Flanery, who was also there and has weaved the real history through a beautiful story. It's really well done and the acting is top notch. Film gives me chills to watch and fills me with wonderful memories of a time not many were lucky enough to witness. This movies takes you there. Well done! 👏🏻👏🏻

Ndeye ndiayeAug 8, 2024

I was so surprised...the trailer is so-so but the movie is simply great. I was so gland to see Flanery, an actor who is also a real life BJJ black belt and also runs his own BJJ place in Hollywood where he also teaches, play a fighter, which he really is (well not MMA but he is well known for his BJJ skills). It looks realistic, although he is 55 years old in real life, in the movie he plays a much younger person, simply because he is so fit and looks much younger thanks to his lifestyle and... makeup. In terms of plot, you have seen it before in so many movies, but still, the cast brings all you can wish for, so if you like these action-drama-fighting movies you will be fully satisfied. A must watch if you ask me.

Amine OuabdelmoumenAug 8, 2024

Its a feel good movie with a bit of everything. Nothing is spot on but evdrything is upto the mark. Lets say you are choosing what to watch and have nothing better to do then you wont be disappointed. Not recommended for children as its a little bloody and a few bad words. But sure give it a go.

user4043635168939Aug 8, 2024

So i didn't knew what to watch and had a look at new movies, i always enjoy Martial Arts movies, and i saw this, i was like alright ill give it a try. I am not Brazilian Jiu Jitsu's biggest fan as a Martial Arts in general, i mean i know its very effective but its not the best one to watch either on TV (UFC) or in movies, i prefer more flashy stuff like Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Wushu or Kung Fu. Yet this movie blew me away. The fights are very well done and they never bore you, main actor being an actual BJJ Black Belt, but they are not the main point of the movie, what really hook me is the story. This movie is filmed as if it was a true story (wich i don't think it is at all) and you really get into it, you feel for the main character and you actually wish this was a real story. Its really one of these movies that if the story wouldn't had been good, i would had probably negatively review it, because there is not a lot of fight, its more of a drama WITH fights in it. Kinda like what Rocky is to Boxing if i can say, altough there is a little more fights than the first couple Rocky movies. But since its well written and you do care for these characters and what happen to them, you really get into it. At least for me that was. Honestly if you remotely enjoy BJJ, absolutely watch it, if you enjoy Martial Arts, give it a shot too. Its only like 10$ Canadian on Xbox Marketplace and it has French audio too. Not that it matter for most of you but well ;)

Hermila BerheMay 29, 2023

source: Born a Champion

🥀Oct 18, 2022

Wow! Was really taken by surprise by this film. Superb! Made me feel a lot of different emotions. Great acting and very well written. You won't be disappointed.

sway house fanOct 18, 2022

Man, this movie takes me back to the beginning of bjj in America!! I was there and this movie is spot on. Brought to life by a real bjj black belt, Sean Patrick Flanery, who was also there and has weaved the real history through a beautiful story. It's really well done and the acting is top notch. Film gives me chills to watch and fills me with wonderful memories of a time not many were lucky enough to witness. This movies takes you there. Well done! 👏🏻👏🏻

Mr Yuz😎🇬🇲Oct 18, 2022

It is not the best movie I've ever seen but it is definitely worth watching. I will say this. I didn't play on my phone the entire time I was watching this movie. The actors do an excellent job and keep you engaged on an emotional level. I actually teared up a few times.