After a very long wait with many road bumps, our feature documentary New York Mixed Martial Arts, is now on HULU and HULU Plus (no commercials)!
Big thaks to everyone who helped this project including (I know I will forget people) Producer Stephen Koepfer, Director Kahleem Poole, Executive Producer Rob Terlizzi, Reggie Hinds, Robert Billings, Bradley Desir, Miguel Rivera, Paula Romero, Justin Klein, Jim Genia, Eddie Goldman, Dean Murray, Tyga Maclin, Steve Kardian, Steven Katz, Peter Lampasona, Matthew Kaplowitz, Mike Hauben, New York City Councilman Joel Rivera, Mike Straka and all the fighters that appeared in the film: Josh Barnett, Gesias Calvacante, Fedor Emilianenko,Tara LaRosa, Nestor Marte, Bas Rutten, Oleg Savitsky, and Frank Shamrock!
Spread the word! Educate the people and legislators of New York!
Big thaks to everyone who helped this project including (I know I will forget people) Producer Stephen Koepfer, Director Kahleem Poole, Executive Producer Rob Terlizzi, Reggie Hinds, Robert Billings, Bradley Desir, Miguel Rivera, Paula Romero, Justin Klein, Jim Genia, Eddie Goldman, Dean Murray, Tyga Maclin, Steve Kardian, Steven Katz, Peter Lampasona, Matthew Kaplowitz, Mike Hauben, New York City Councilman Joel Rivera, Mike Straka and all the fighters that appeared in the film: Josh Barnett, Gesias Calvacante, Fedor Emilianenko,Tara LaRosa, Nestor Marte, Bas Rutten, Oleg Savitsky, and Frank Shamrock!
Spread the word! Educate the people and legislators of New York!
WATCH THE FILM NOW!
*Please
note there is a currently a slight saturation problem in the credits of
the streaming version of this film. This probl;em is being corrected
presently. The Film's content is fine!Please enjoy and let us know what
you think!
REVIEWS AND NEWS
REVIEWS AND NEWS
Anyone who cares about the future of MMA in
New York State needs to watch this eye-opening film to discover who and
what is keeping MMA out of Madison Square Garden.
Beyond the politics, however, this is a moving portrait of athletes in exile - men and women who are forbidden to engage in the sport they love in their own city.
Beyond the politics, however, this is a moving portrait of athletes in exile - men and women who are forbidden to engage in the sport they love in their own city.
-Mike Tucker, Director, Fightville & Gunner Palace
New York Mixed Martial Arts shows the audience the fiery yet kind heart of the sport's culture and dares them not to like it. - Peter Lampasona, US Combat Sports
This is an important piece of work, and every aspect of it works together to create a coherent piece of engaging story-telling that hooks you into this world and transforms the viewer from an outsider to an insider in the span of an hour. -The Fight Nerd, thefightnerd.com
It is a rare glimpse inside MMA, but it is a gem at the same time because it will open your eyes and help you understand that this sport is so much more than punches, kicks, and choke holds. -Shawn Baran, TheGarv.com
Thumbs up for New York Mixed Martial Arts documentary! -Jim Genia, MMAConvert.com
It's going to be a great ambassador for the legalization movement...they clearly debunk the no holds barred myth that is associated with the sport -Beth Hurrle, Bloodyelbow.com
New York Mixed Martial Arts beautifully captures the essence of what it is to be an MMA fighter in New York. -Anil Melwani, MMA.us
TRAILERS
ABOUT THE FILM
New York Mixed Martial Arts
(Kahl One Film Productions & The Coalition to Legalize MMA in NY, 2011)
On IMDb
New York Mixed Martial Arts is an enthralling documentary that provides a back seat view of the grass roots struggle to legalize and regulate the professional sport of mixed martial arts (MMA) in New York State. New York is one of a handful of states in which MMA is still outlawed; sacrificing athlete safety, jobs and millions of dollars in revenue to neighboring states and countries since 1997. In his first feature length film, martial artist and filmmaker Kahleem Poole – Tejada presents an intimate account of the struggle to legalize MMA through the lens of one amateur fighter’s (Bradley Desir) quest to turn professional under the guidance of his coach (Stephen Koepfer). Viewers are offered a rare glimpse behind the curtain of the political, sometimes frightening, and always exciting world of mixed martial arts.
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
Rob Terlizzi
PRODUCER:
Stephen Koepfer
DIRECTOR, DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY, AND EDITOR:
Kahleem Poole-Tejada
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR:
Levan Reginald Hines
CAMERA:
Robert Billings
STARRING:
Bradley Desir
Stephen Koepfer
Tyga Maclin
Eddie Goldman
Paula Romero
Justin Klein
SPECIAL APPEARANCES BY:
Josh Barnett
Gesias Calvacante
Fedor Emilianenko
Steve Kardian
Fedor Emilianenko
Steve Kardian
Steven Katz
Tara LaRosa
Tara LaRosa
New York Assemblyman Dean Murray
Nestor Marte
New York City Councilman Joel Rivera
Bas Rutten
Oleg Savitsky
Frank Shamrock
Mike Straka
Dana White
RUNNING TIME:
58 minutesPRESS COVERAGE!
May 3rd, 2013: Producer Stephen Koepfer appears on New York Public Radio's Uptown Radio: Voices of New York
January 5th, 2013: Producer Stephen Koepfer appears on Fox Radio's MMA Fight Corner
October 16, 2012: Stephen Koepfer sits in on Episode 18 the Hiyaa Martial Arts Podcast
February 29th, 2012: Stephen Koepfer Joins Mauro Ranallo on the MMA Show
September 12, 2011 - Coalition members Kahleem Poole-Tejada and Matthew Kaplowitz sit in with Mauro Renallo on the MMA Show to discuss the documentaries "A Fighting Spirit" and "New York Mixed Martial Arts" as well as the state of MMA in New York. LISTEN HERE
August 9, 2011 - Astoria Beer Garden to Screen New York Mixed Martial Arts this Saturday. By Peter Lampasona, US Combat Sports
August 8, 2011 - Director Kahleem Poole-Tejada sits in on the Darce Side Radio to talk about the progress on "New York Mixed Martial Arts".
Listen to internet radio with thedarceside on Blog Talk Radio
July 11, 2011 - New York Mixed Martial Arts Makes its Theatrical Debut This Month. By the Fight Nerd
July 7, 2011 - New York Mixed Martial Arts Documentary Returns for Screenings This August. By Peter Lampasona, US Combat Sports
May 9, 2011 - Director Kahleem Poole-Tejada and Producer Stephen Koepfer sit in live on "The Darce Side Radio".
Listen to internet radio with thedarceside on Blog Talk Radio
May 9, 2011 - The Fight Nerd interviews Director, Kahleem Poole-Tejada
May 9, 2011 - The Fight Nerd: Movie review by the Fight Nerd
May 8, 2011 - Bloody Elbow: Movie review by Beth Hurrle
May 6, 2011 - MMA Convert: Movie review by Jim Genia
May 5, 2011 - TheGarv.com: Movie review by Shawn Baran
May 5, 2011 - US Combat Sports: Movie review by Peter Lampasona.
May 3, 2011 - NY Post Covers the 1st Annual Bronx Week Film Festival
April 28, 2011 - Producer Stephen Koepfer interviewed by US Combat Sports
April 27, 2011 - Director Kahleem Poole-Tejada and Producer Stephen Koepfer appear on Knoqout Radio (Episode 72)
April 25, 2011 - New York Daily News cover the 1st Annual Bronx Week Film Festival
If you support MMA in NY, have your own YouTube channel, and want to help push this film, make the trailer the featured video on your YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kbm9j6IzmDI
WHO IS SUPPORTING THIS FILM?
Fight Summit: Big thanks to Fight Summit for screening NY MMA at their 2011 Las Vegas event!
Fusion Mixed Martial Arts: Big thanks to Mong Phu and Fusion Mixed Martial Arts for organizing our July 30, 2011 Screening in Lyons, New York!
Pankration Kerberos: Big t
Flatline Fighting: Flatline is a Rochester based company and is a big supporter of the Coalition to Legalize MMA in NY, and our film. Thanks for donating givaways at our theatrical debut in Lyons, NY!
Klutch Wear: Klutch Wear is a New York based clothing company that caters to the MMA, skater, and urban apparel market. Klutch Wear has generously provided free products at the May 16th premier of New York Mixed Martial Arts!
Tiger Martial Arts: Thanks for hosting our June, 2011 Long Island screening and fundraiser!
Eclectic Combat Systems: Thanks for hosting a July, 2011 screening at the Texas Open Freestyle Sambo Championships in Austin, Texas!
Pics from our December 1st screening at Fight Summit in Las Vegas.
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| Kahleem Poole-Tejada, Stephen Koepfer, and Assemblyman Dean Murray answer questions after a screening of NY MMA at Fight Summit in Las Vegas |
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| Kahleem Poole-Tejada, Assemblyman Dean Murray, and Stephen Koepfer |
Pics from our August 13th screening at the Bohemia Hall Beer Garden in Astoria, NY.
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| Steve, Michael Steczkowski of Darce Side Radio, and Kahleem |
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| Kahleem get some reviews |
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| Reg, Kahleem and friends |
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| Kahleem and Steve Q&A |
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| Adios to the beer garden |
Pics from the July 30th screening at the Ohmann Theater in Lyons, New York:
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| Title screen at the Ohmann! |
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| The Ohmann Theater |
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| Josh Pawlyk of Flatline Fighting and Stephen Koepfer |
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| Local support of our film and NY MMA! |
Some Pics From The May 16th Bronx Week Film Festival Screening:
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| Stephen Koepfer, Brad Desir, Miguel Rivera, Kahleem Poole-Tejada |
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| Stephen Koepfer and Jayson from Klutch Wear |
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| Tgya Maclin and Kahleem Poole-Tejada |
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| Stephen Koepfer and Bellator Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez |
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| Stephen Koepfer, Kahleem Poole-Tejada, Peter Lampasona, Bruce Kivo |
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| Eddie Alvarez on screen |
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| Kahleem Poole-Tejada and Nestor Marte |
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| Kahleem Poole-Tejada and veteran television commentator Mike Straka |
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| Paula Romero and Kahleem Poole-Tajada |
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| Former Bellator Welterweight Champion Lyman Good (Left) |
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| Stephen and Kahleem during Q&A |
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| Josh Husak and Kahleem |
Some Pics From The May 4th Press Screening:
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| Photo courtesy of http://www.mma.us/ |
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| Assemblyman Dean Murray with Kahleem and Steve |
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| Kahleem outside the theater. Photo courtesy of http://www.mma.us/ |
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| Brad Desir, Robert Billings, Stephen Koepfer, Kahleem Poole-Tejada |
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| Fight Nerd interviews Kahleem |
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| Robert Billings, Brad Desir, Levan Reginald Hines |
