Saban Films has acquired North American rights from Highland Film Group to Atlas King, written and directed by Nika Agiashvili (Tbilisi, I Love You) and starring UFC Hall of Fame fighter Michael Bisping.

In addition to Bisping (xXx: Return of Xander Cage), Cuba Gooding Jr. (Jerry Maguire) stars along with George Finn (LOL, Tbilisi, I Love You) and Sarah Wayne Callies ('The Walking Dead').

Producers include Agiashvili, Finn, Zaina Tibi, Deanna Plascencia, Savannah Belcher, Mike Campbell and Ben Holland. John Edward Lee and Kevin DeWalt are executive producing along with Arianne Fraser and Delphine Perrier for Highland Film Group. Jarrod Ham, Nicole Plascencia, and Giga Chikadze are serving as associate producers.

The story follows mixed martial arts legend Atlas King (Bisping), who returns home for the funeral of his closest friend, Dutch, only to be pulled back into the violent underworld he tried to escape years ago.

The official synopsis reads: The fight game is now ruled by ruthless crime boss Clay Emerson (Gooding), whose iron grip threatens to wipe out the last remnants of Dutch and Atlas’ former empire and seize total control of the city. To protect Dutch’s hot-headed son Tommy (Finn), a fearless underground fighter determined to honor his father’s legacy, and Penelope (Callies), who struggles to hold her fractured family together, Atlas must risk it all. Savage clashes in the ring, a high-stakes heist and an explosive showdown push Atlas to the edge, forcing him to confront Clay in a final battle of empires.

Jonathan Saba negotiated the acquisition on behalf of Saban, with Highland Film Group on behalf of the filmmakers at this year’s European Film Market. Highland is handling international sales.

By Zac Ntim, Deadline