The Cage Fighter is a documentary film directed by Jeff Unay. The film follows the story of Joe Carman, a former mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter who gave up fighting to focus on his family.
Joe is a hard-working man from a blue-collar family, living in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and four children. He used to fight in the cage and was one of the best in his town. But after suffering an injury and taking a break to focus on his family, he promised his wife, Stacy, that he would never fight again.
However, Joe cannot resist the lure of the cage. Despite the risks to his health and the strain on his family, he decides to make a comeback and train for a big fight. As he prepares for this fight, he must deal with the emotional and physical toll of getting back into shape, as well as the scrutiny of his family and friends.
The film takes an intimate and personal look at Joe's journey, as he tries to come to terms with his past and redefine his identity. It explores the challenges of balancing family life with pursuing a passion and the complex relationships between a father and his children.
The Cage Fighter premiered at the True/False Film Festival in 2017 and received critical acclaim for its honest and raw portrayal of a man's struggle to balance his family with his love of fighting. It is a powerful and moving film that explores themes of masculinity, family, and personal identity.