A fictional sequel to an semi-autobiographical original, American Fighter is an interesting proposition for a film and, at least in cinematic terms, shares a lot in common with the classic martial arts film Bloodsport – both deal with underground fighting and both have a connection to the real-life tales of their characters. In this case George Kosturos plays the alter-ego of producer Ali Afshar – whose story of moving from Iran to America and fitting in by becoming a top-class athlete was told in the 2016 film American Wrestler.

Following their exploits with Alex Ranarivelo’s American Wrestler: The Wizard, producer Ali Afshar and actor George Kosturos brace for more fictional territory under the stewardship of filmmaker Shaun Piccinino. Their latest effort, American Fighter, returns Afshar’s on-screen persona, Ali Jahani, back on camera for a more martial arts-tinged, revved up sequel that welcomes Tom Flanagan into the fray, and actor and BJJ blackbelt, Sean Patrick Flannery.

Part coming-of-age drama, part martial arts actioner, American Fighter is the follow up to producer Ali Afshar’s biopic American Wrestler: The Wizard, only this time he takes his alter ego — Ali Jahani — outside of his real world story and into the world of illegal underground MMA streetfighting. Making its world premiere at this year’s Fantasia Fest, it’s chock full of the tropes that you’d expect in a film about a young man thrust into fighting for money, but sometimes that’s exactly what a film of this type should do.

Ali Afshar wears many titles. He’s the founder, CEO, and (although, is quite humble about it) a studio mogul, who heads up Forrest Films. Afshar began his career path as a record-setting professional race car driver, who turned actor and then turned movie producer. Today, he continues to dabble in each of his passions.

Set in 1990, the film follows Mickey Kelley (Flanery), one of the first American black belts in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, who gets pulled away from everything he loves and into an unsanctioned MMA tournament, where his dreams of providing for his family come to a halt with a split-second decision. His life goes off the rails until years later he gets a shot at redemption.

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