Tough Guys

Set a decade before the launch of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, “Tough Guys (2017)” takes you back to 1979 when innovators Bill Viola and Frank Caliguri envisioned a fierce contest that matched boisterous bar patrons with wrestlers, martial artists, boxers, bouncers, and street fighters. This no-holds-barred competition exceeded expectations, leading to a series of events that culminated in the nation’s first-ever mixed-martial arts ban. The documentary illuminates the rise of Caliguri and Viola’s initial bouts and the eclectic, vibrant roster of fighters who turned the events into a sensation, along with the politicians whose actions ultimately led to their downfall. It vividly captures a time when the martial arts craze was booming nationwide, just as Pennsylvania’s steel towns faced crippling unemployment, pushing desperate individuals to seek purpose and profit through combat. Don’t miss this gripping story. Currently, you can watch “Tough Guys (2017)” right here in streaming. Enjoy it online, free of charge on cineby or 123Movies.