Extreme Challenge (2001)

A free style martial arts championship, broadcast exclusively on the Internet draws martial arts masters from around the world to compete. Tension rises when it’s discovered that the event’s sponsor may be altering the outcome of the fights in order find a spokesman for their athletic equipment. Meanwhile, two Chinese kung fu experts from the same school who share opposing values reluctantly find themselves as the prime candidates when they end up in the finals.

The Bloodsport theme gets updated for the 21st century in this poorly written, yet exciting fight-filled fest.

Martial artists from all over the world converge on a futuristic resort where dozens of competitors begin a frenzied elimination round, free-for all as they race an obstacle course while knocking each other down. Surviving the opening event is Ian Maxfield, reigning champion and spokesman for Champion Sports, an athletic supplier. Yet, it soon becomes clear that Ian’s contract is on the ropes. Karen, the event’s manipulative director, who happens to be Ian’s representative, begins searching for an “Asian” spokesperson for Champion’s entry into the Asian markets. Its clear that the winner of the event will make the best candidate so Karen begins selectively pairing the remaining contestants in order to control the outcome. Nevertheless, several martial artists distinguish themselves in the second round, including Kuang Kin and Jin Fang. Both come from the same martial arts school but the fiercely competitive Jin is sent to represent the school while the more conscience Kuang, enters independently to prove that he is the better man. Also moving to the finals is Tang Ning, the first female competitor to have signed up for the event who is developing a relationship with Kuang. As the contest narrows down to its final contestants, Kuang purposely loses to a young Thai boxer who narrowly escapes a fatal injury. Realizing his popularity based upon Internet polls, Karen forces the Thai boxer out on a technicality. Meanwhile, the less scrupulous Jin beats the tar out of Tang and goes on to face Ian, the current champion. Ian subsequently takes a fall after learning that his contract with Champion Sports is dropped. This leads to the final match between Kuang and Jin.