Gary Goodridge is a pioneer of Mixed Martial Arts. One of the earliest fighters, in what at the time, was seen as more spectacle than sport. Famously making his MMA debut at UFC 8, Goodridge won in a fashion so spectacular, that the clip is often used to demonstrate how savage mixed martial arts can be. MMA and Kickboxing afforded Gary opportunities to travel the world and compete everywhere from The United States, to Brazil, Japan, and The Netherlands. Competing in 80+ fights in front of sold out crowds to thousands of fans cheering him on in the ring. A truly glorious life – right? What Gary didn’t realize was the toll the sport was taking on his body. Fighting in what Gary himself considers past his prime, Gary ended his career on a 7 fight losing streak. A streak that very well may have cost him his longterm cognition.

Goodridge, now 57, is struggling with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy: a disease only known as “punch drunk” when Gary started in the sport. Gary knew nothing of CTE and its effects when he began in 1996, but today he’s paying for the career that afforded him glory. The sport that made him feel like a gladiator.

Gary’s story stands to serve as somewhat of a cautionary, but also as a character study of someone dealing with a certain cognitive dissonance. Despite the sport giving him a degenerative brain disease, he looks back on his career fondly. When walking through the gym he can’t help but give the heavy bag a few jabs and smile. He continues to help where he can in the martial arts community and is promoting MMA in Africa via his promotion the AFC.

AWARDS

Young Director Awards Shortlist

Berlin Commercial Awards Shortlist

Edmonton International Film Festival - Grand Jury Award: Best Short Documentary (OSCAR QUALIFYING)

Yorkton Film Festival:

Best Documentary Short (Nominee)

Best Director Documentary (Nominee)