Variety reports that MTV is set to debut “Caged,” a reality show featuring 4 Louisiana teenagers trying to make it in the world of MMA. MTV announced the debut of the show for January 9, 2012.
Via Variety:
[“Caged”] follows of a group of small-town Louisiana teens who engage in cage fighting to help them cope with the struggles in their lives. The amateur mixed martial arts bouts give the protagonists a sense of accomplishment both inside and outside the ring.
“We’re always looking for subcultures to explore and do a deep dive into their lives,” MTV programming topper David Janollari told Variety when the show was first announced earlier this year. “What I love about the show is that it’s not just about fighting but examining life in every-town America.”
Via MMA Junkie:
The series follows their lives in and out of the cage. As is typical with such programs, a small mix of personalities gets camera time, including the rich kid whose first love died in an accident, the college grad who’s handling life with his new girlfriend/fighter/nursing school student and son, and a fighter hoping to make his parents proud as a pro competitor.
The show is scheduled to air Monday nights with a 10 episode run.
Payout Perspective:
We’ll see how MMA is portrayed by the show and perceived by the teenagers. MMA is starting to build popularity and its interesting to see how it will grow. The perception of violence is definitely an obstacle that MMA must deal with in an attempt to appeal to the mainstream. Hopefully the show will humanize the people that fight rather than glorify the violence.
For those that recall, MTV did a “True Life” on MMA several years back. One of the guys it featured was a young Frankie Edgar. It was a good behind the scenes look at Edgar’s life before he made it big. Hopefully, “Caged,” will give the same behind the scenes look.
terrence from southeast says
It’s good to see MTV is behind MMA,by airing this show.
DUEL athletics says
You never know how the media can spin a story to portray a certain perspective or create dramatics. Hopefully the story places Mixed Martial Artists in a positive light.
Jack Frost says
The Edgar one was good and the Anthony Pettis show was also good. Hopefully they stay along those lines for this new show.
Tony Savo says
Great job covering the story mate, exporting MMA to the next generation of fighters, fight fans and industry guys via MTV’s platform is brilliant.
Nerri says
I’m excited to watch this show. I’m from a small town in Louisiana, I’m curious to know what small town this show was set in!