First look at MMA actioner ‘Circle of Pain’

Mixed martial arts film action continues to proliferate in the DTV realm amid the rising popularity of the sport. The latest actioner to tap into this trend is CIRCLE OF PAIN, a fighting drama from director Daniel Zirilli that recently wrapped production in Austin, Texas.

It stars Tony Schiena (WAKE OF DEATH) as a retired MMA fighter lured back by a crooked promoter to take on the current champion while under the watchful eye of an enigmatic trainer. Co-starring is Bai Ling, Dean Cain and real-life MMA fighters Heath “The Texas Crazy Horse” Herring, Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson and Roger Huerta.

In transitioning from MMA fighting to acting, Huerta, who will also appear in Dwight Little’s upcoming TEKKEN film, flew to New York to train with veteran actor Mickey Rouke according to his manager, Jeff Clark.

“Mickey took him under his wing,” said Clark.

In the video clips below, MovieSet goes behind-the-scenes of production on CIRCLE OF PAIN to reveal the cast and crew in action. Featured is stunt coordinator Arnold Chon, a veteran stuntman who recently worked on BLACK DYNAMITE and THE LAST AIRBENDER.

Sources: MMA Weekly, MovieSet