It’s been six years since we last saw the exploits of Yuri Boyka, but The Most Complete Fighter in the World is set to return at last in one of the most highly anticipated martial arts films of the year – even taking the number one spot on KFK’s list! – “Boyka: Undisputed”. While a definitive release date has not yet been made clear, it’ll be emerging pretty soon with the film’s premiere at this year’s Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas.
This isn’t the first time a Scott Adkins martial arts thriller has made its grand debut at this very festival. 2013’s “Ninja II: Shadow of a Tear” also premiered to a rapturous response at that year’s Fantastic Fest. “Boyka: Undisputed” had it’s first show on Thursday evening, but if you weren’t able to make the film’s initial showing, fear not – an encore presentation is scheduled for September 29th. More info on the film’s Fantastic Fest showings are available on the festival’s official website.
The film picks up sometime after the end of 2010’s “Undisputed 3: Redemption“, with Boyka rising through the ranks of the MMA world, only to find himself in an existential crisis after inadvertently killing an opponent in the ring. However, when Boyka learns the fighter’s widow is in trouble with the mob, he steps into the ring save her from from the dire circumstances she faces.
Beginning inauspiciously as the prison boxing drama in 2002 starring Wesley Snipes and Ving Rhames, the “Undisputed” series would shoot straight to the top with it’s second and third entries, both directed by acclaimed filmmaker Isaac Florentine and shifting the focus from boxing to mixed martial arts. 2007’s “Undisputed 2: Last Man Standing” saw Michael Jai White take over the role of world heavyweight boxing champ George “Iceman” Chambers, previously played by Ving Rhames, while Scott Adkins would step into his signature role of the Most Complete Fighter in the World, Yuri Boyka. Scott would reprise the role in “Undisputed 3”, with both films highly regarded as among the best martial arts films of the 21st century – of course, that’s not exactly surprising, knowing that the duties of fight choreographer have transferred from J.J. “Loco” Perry in the second film to Larnell Stovall in the third and Tim Man of “Ninja II” in the fourth!
Stay tuned for more info on the release of “Boyka: Undisputed” as it arrives. In the meantime, check out our official reviews of the first, second and third “Undisputed” films, along with our interview with Scott Adkins where he shares some details on Boyka’s next fight!
