Wimp 2 Warrior
| Wimp 2 Warrior | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Mixed Martial Arts |
| Created by | Richie Cranny |
| Starring | Jens Pulver, Ortenzia Borre |
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes | 7 |
| Original release | |
| Network | (2013) webbased (2014) TBA |
| Release | 2013 – Present |
Wimp 2 Warrior is a documentary-style reality television show created by Richie Cranny to showcase the sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) to a mainstream audience.[1] The show transforms everyday individuals or 'wimps' (with little or no combat sports training) into 'warriors' (who will potentially fight on the finale against another contestant). Billed as 'The Ultimate Human Experiment' the Australian-based show has slated a North American series (Team America vs Team Canada). Chris Clements is set to coach Team Canada and inaugural UFC lightweight champion Jens Pulver will coach Team America in the first half of 2015.[2]
Series 1 (Pilot)
The first series of Wimp 2 Warrior was released via YouTube and the Wimp 2 Warrior website. After six months of training, the finale was held at Norths Leagues Club, Cammeray, Sydney, in April 2013. Seven episodes were produced - the first six focussed on the selection and training phases, and the seventh episode was a multi camera coverage of the finale "fight night", featuring 8 MMA contests with semi-professional rules.
Guest coaches featured on series 1 include Mark Hunt, Royce Gracie, Peter Graham (fighter) and current UFC referee John Sharp.[3]
Series 1 was produced by Sydney-based production company Damn Good Productions. Production took place from early 2012 through to April 2013, and episodes were broadcast weekly, starting Sunday 21 April and concluding Sunday 2 June 2013. Episodes were released on YouTube each week at 7pm AEST, and were made available on-demand after that. The series was directed by Ben Alcott, voiced by John Meillon Jnr, and produced by John Hollands.
The first series is currently available for free viewing on the Wimp 2 Warrior website and via ninemsn's MMA Kanvas.
Series 2
Beginning in January 2014, 40 'wimps' were selected to complete the 6 month fight camp and fought on a designated semi-pro card in June, held at the Luna Park Big Top, Sydney, in front of approximately 1800 spectators.[4] Hosted by television personality Ortenzia Borre [5] the series again features UFC fighters and combat sports world champions as guest coaches and mentors. The finale was the largest local MMA event in Australian history.[6][7][8][9]
Series 2 is currently in post-production by Showrunner Productions, the official Series 2 trailer was released in May, 2014.
Coaches
Richie Cranny (Head Coach/MMA), Jens Pulver, Rachel Guy (Strength and Conditioning)
References
- ^ "Australia's Wimp 2 Warrior Series Poised for Mainstream Exposure with Season 2 Launch - Fight Parrot - UFC & MMA". Fight Parrot.
- ^ "Wimp 2 Warrior Invades North America". Wombat Sports. GOWAN OISIN YA GOOD GOSSIN YA From Evan
- ^ "Mark Hunt and Royce Gracie guest coach on Australia's reality show Wimp 2 Warrior!".
- ^ Adam Ireland (25 June 2014). "Exclusive report: Blood, sweat and tears at reality TV's W2W finale".
- ^ "Interview: Ortenzia Borre". The Sydney Morning Herald.
- ^ Justin Faux (4 March 2014). "Wimp2Warrior returns, transforming everyday citizens into fighters".
- ^ "Auburn bred Gokhan Ozkose has turned himself into a fighting machine". The Daily Telegraph.
- ^ "Diminutive chemist Isabella Truong must survive vicious cage fight to win Wimp 2 Warrior finale". The Daily Telegraph.
- ^ Fairfax Regional Media (15 May 2014). "Constitution Hill man 'wimp to warrior'". Parramatta Sun.