Mixed martial arts is the fastest growing sport in America. It is about time the Academy got off their f***ing asses and started to recognize.

In the last few years the market for mixed martial arts movies has grown while their budget has shrank. Redbelt and Never Back Down started MMA on its way into Hollywood's septic system.

However, their somewhat lackluster success or sheer ridiculousness in terms of plot have lead many major studios to pass on such movies.

However, this writer thinks that the next Rocky is just on the horizon, and so does the Academy.

As the award season is just on the horizon, rumors of several mixed martial arts-themed awards at The Golden Globes and Academy Awards swirl.

The following are some the categories to expect and their predicted winners:

 

Best Director/Writer that Also Attempted to Act in a Leading Role in an MMA Movie :

Hector Echavarria as "Reneiro" in Never Surrender

 

Best Fighter that Doesn't Speak in a Supporting Role:

Anderson Silva as "Fighter" in Never Surrender

 

Best Use of Capoeira by a Heavyweight Fighter:

Heath Herring as "Stone" in Never Surrender

 

Best Use of a Snap Kick as a Legitimate Offensive Weapon in an MMA Movie:

Hector Echavarria as "Reneiro" in Never Surrender

 

Best Exploitation of Prostitutes that the Main Character Will Later Grow Fond of:

Every woman in Never Surrender

 

Best Pretend Friends in an MMA Movie:

BJ Penn and Quinton Jackson as BJ Penn and Quinton Jackson in Never Surrender

 

Best MMA Fighter in an Acting Role:

Georges St. Pierre in Death Warrior (no, seriously, he wasn't that bad)

 

Best Entrance by a Man Who Has Five Seconds to Show Up Before His Sister is Decapitated Even Though He Has No Way of Knowing He Has Five Seconds To Show Up Before She is Decapitated

Keith Jardine as "Andre" in Death Warrior

 

Best Boom Operator in an MMA Movie:

Alex van der Meulen in Death Warrior

 

Best Use of a DVD Box Cover to Make You Think That MMA Fighters Are The Stars:

Tie: Never Surrender and Death Warrior

 

Most Depressed Writer Whose Life is So Empty That He Watched Both Never Surrender and Death Warrior (only one nominee dumb enough):

Me