Tough Guys

Tough Guys (2017)

September 15th, 20171h 16min

Documentary
75%

Overview

10 years before the debut of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. In 1979, Bill Viola and Frank Caliguri dreamed up a contest pitting barroom bigmouths against wrestlers, martial artists, boxers, bouncers and brawlers, billed as no-holds-barred new type of competitive fighting. When the fights succeeded beyond their wildest expectations, they were swept up in a chain of events that ended in the first mixed-martial arts ban in the nation. “Tough Guys” chronicles the inception of Caliguri and Viola’s first bouts and the colorful, crazy cast of fighters who made them a hit as well as the politicians who brought it all crashing down. The film brings to life a moment when the national martial arts craze was building to a crescendo as the economies of Pennsylvania steel towns were plummeting to levels of unemployment never seen, breeding desperate men looking for a chance to prove their worth and make some money in the ring.


Make sure to check your pop-up blocker!!

Trailer

Similar Movies

Karen: Women In Sports

Karen: Women In Sports


Released on: 1977-01-01
Documentary

Guest speakers from "Women In Motion" Conference, Vancouver, B.C. 1975.

All Madden

All Madden


Released on: 2021-12-25
Documentary

Centered largely on the 30 years after his Hall of Fame coaching career, this FOX Sports documentary...

that

that


Released on: 2007-01-01
Documentary

In an era marked by an oversaturated video market, a leader must emerge to challenge the boundaries ...

More

More


Released on: 2006-09-30
Documentary

Once again Absinthe Films raises the bar to bring you 'More'. This title marks the beginning of a ne...

Futureproof

Futureproof


Released on: 2005-09-15
Documentary

Big jumps are sick... and once again we have that category well covered. But there will always be a ...

The Deal

The Deal


Released on: 2014-02-12
Documentary

Just weeks after losing to the New York Yankees in the 2003 ALCS, the Boston Red Sox made it their m...

Luz in Latin America

Luz in Latin America


Released on: 2016-04-13
Documentary

The inspiring account on international bodyboarding star Luz 'Loly' Grande - a young woman on a pers...

Standout: The Ben Kjar Story

Standout: The Ben Kjar Story


Released on: 2025-12-31
Documentary

A documentary about the incredible life of Ben Kjar.

Long Live Chainsaw

Long Live Chainsaw


Released on: 2021-05-11
Documentary

Long Live Chainsaw reveals the true story of the meteoric rise, untimely death and long-lasting lega...

Ice Guardians

Ice Guardians


Released on: 2016-09-12
Documentary

On-ice enforcers struggle to rise through the professional ranks of the world's most prestigious hoc...

Pistol Pete: The Life and Times of Pete Maravich

Pistol Pete: The Life and Times of Pete Maravich


Released on: 2001-04-01
Documentary

Documentary about basketball player Pete Maravich. The legend of "Pistol Pete" Maravich was born on ...

South Korea: Focused on Excellence

South Korea: Focused on Excellence


Released on: 2010-08-15
Documentary

A documentary about the some athletes of South Korea and how can they inspire a new generation.

Cutting Deep

Cutting Deep


Released on: 2008-02-07
Documentary

Cutting Deep is the very first feature length documentary about a Death Match Wrestler. It follows t...

The Wait: Mike Tyson's First Fight Out of Prison

The Wait: Mike Tyson's First Fight Out of Prison


Released on: 2020-01-01
Documentary

After serving a 4-year prison sentence Mike Tyson was released from an Indiana prison May-1995. For ...

Fisticuffs

Fisticuffs


Released on: 1938-08-27
Documentary

This Pete Smith Specialty short showcases former heavyweight boxing champion Max Baer with various s...

Bradman and Tendulkar

Bradman and Tendulkar


Released on: 2023-01-23
Documentary

Two of cricket's greatest players, sporting icons from different corners of the world. This document...

Paratodos

Paratodos


Released on: 2016-06-23
Documentary

Racing the Rez

Racing the Rez


Released on: 2012-10-28
Documentary

After a narrow win hands Tuba City High School their 19th state championship, second place finisher ...

Kayfabe

Kayfabe


Released on: 2007-04-15
Comedy, Documentary

The TCICWF is shutting down forever, and these colorful, eccentric, clueless, indie wrestlers have o...

Hyped!

Hyped!


Released on: 2012-10-22
Documentary

The idea for Hyped! is that the film shall convey the feeling of ultimate excitement. We are trying ...