A powerful female German actress dominates Hollywood.
Meet Marie Mouroum, a German powerhouse in Hollywood as a stuntwoman and martial arts actress. Known for her breathtaking stunts in films like "Cloud Atlas," "The Equalizer," and "No Time to Die," she's no stranger to pushing limits. Yet, her true passion lies in martial arts, where she believes one learns resilience and fortitude.
At 32, Marie has mastered various martial arts, from boxing and kickboxing to taekwondo and judo. She even excels in ground fighting, blending ju-jitsu, wrestling, and wrestling moves seamlessly. While her fight skills are impressive, she'll be backstage at "Oktagon 73" in Hamburg this Saturday (June 28), not as a fighter, but as a host for RTL+, giving fans a sneak peek behind the scenes.
Germany, however, has yet to fully accept Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) as mainstream. Marie acknowledges the lingering prejudices, but the popularity of events like the one in Frankfurt's Waldstadion last year, which attracted 60,000 people, suggests a growing enthusiasm for the sport.
What fascinates Marie about MMA is its diversity. Unlike traditional martial arts, MMA fighters are not confined to a single style. They must be adept at multiple disciplines, making it an exciting blend of art and combat.
In contrast, the U.S. appreciates MMA much more. With the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) dominating the scene, families, women, and children all share an interest in the sport. It's a cultural behemoth that's talked about daily, with viewers knowing who the most successful fighters are. While Germany is catching up, the U.S. has a more extensive following, larger events, and deeper-rooted cultural significance.
"Oktagon 73" airs this Saturday at 5:30 PM on RTL+, with Hamburg hosting a major MMA event for the first time. The main fight features Christian Eckerlin, Germany's most famous MMA star, who's making a comeback after eight months off.
Sources:- [1] We Love MMA (Official Website) - https://www.welovemma.de/en/- [2] Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) - https://www.sfia.org/consumer-research/participation-toplines- [3] OKTAGON (Official Website) - https://oktagon.de/en/- [4] The Local Germany - https://www.thelocal.de/20210312/germany-looking-to-roll-out-the-red-carpet-for-mixed-martial-arts-event- [5] Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) - https://www.ufc.com/
Enrichment: The current disparity in MMA popularity between Germany and the United States is evident in event scale, audience size, cultural penetration, and participation levels. While Germany's MMA scene is on the rise, with events like "We Love MMA" and OKTAGON increasing fan engagement, the U.S. leads with the UFC, a global brand that draws millions of viewers worldwide. Despite growing popularity, MMA in Germany remains smaller in scale and media prominence compared to the U.S., where the sport has a broad commercial footprint and extensive grassroots following.
- Despite her busy schedule as a stuntwoman and martial arts actress, Marie Mouroum is also a passionate fan of mixed-martial arts (MMA), admiring its diversity and the need for fighters to master multiple disciplines.
- Marie Mouroum, although a German powerhouse in Hollywood, reveals a growing interest in MMA in her home country, where events like "Oktagon 73" are increasingly attracting audiences and challenging traditional martial arts' dominance.
