Showtime Pins Down MMA Documentary

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

Showtime this month will air a documentary that explores the origins of the mixed martial arts movement.

The documentary film, Tough Guys, which premieres Sept. 15, chronicles the loosely regulated mixed martial arts competitions of the 1980s Pittsburgh that served as a precursor to what has now become organized MMA competitions and franchises, including the UFC.

Tough Guys is executive produced by Ross Kauffman and Morgan Spurlock, as well as their respective producing partners, Raeshem Nijhon and Jeremy Chilnick.

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.