Caged
By Melissa Camacho,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Docuseries mixes amateur fighting with relationship drama.
Add rating
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
Where to Watch
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
CAGED follows young amateur mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters as they negotiate their cage-fighting careers with the trials and tribulations of life in the small town of Minden, Louisiana. Viewers meet Wesley Branch, who's trying to balance fighting, fatherhood, and his relationship with his ex-girlfriend Jessica; Matt "Danger" Schnell, who has given up his job and moved back home in order to train in hopes of proving himself to his family; Tony Kelly, who's working hard for a professional contract; and Daniel Payne, a young fighter struggling with the tragic death of his girlfriend and a reputation brought on by his privileged upbringing. Their week days are full of work, training, and day-to-day problems, but on Saturdays they try to push it out of their minds when they're locked in a cage and engaging in full-contact combat. For them, it's not just about winning the match, but winning recognition, respect, and, in some cases, the chance to build a better life.
Is It Any Good?
Caged takes a voyeuristic look at the lives of small-town MMA fighting hopefuls and combines typical reality narratives about love and relationships with MMA fight drama. The show highlights how some young men are looking to build careers out of the sport, while others are turning to the cage thanks to a lack of viable alternatives to keep them out of trouble or to cope with the pressures of their daily lives.
Regardless of the reasons, these young men are driven to win, even if that means taking drastic measures like fighting with broken bones or spending hours in dangerously overheated environments to sweat off pounds a few hours before a qualifying weigh-in. Teen MMA fans may find it entertaining, while others may simply find this particular small-town lifestyle interesting to watch.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about mixed martial arts. What are the roots of this style of combat? What's the regulating body that sets the rules for these matches? Do you think this series offers a real look at what MMA is really about?
Researches have noted that there can be a negative impact on children who are exposed to too much violence in media. But what about watching regulated athletic events like boxing or mixed martial arts? What are the differences between watching violent events on television and fighting for sport? Parents, how can we make those distinctions?
TV Details
- Premiere date: January 9, 2012
- Cast: Daniel Payne , Matt Schnell , Wesley Branch
- Network: MTV
- Genre: Reality TV
- Topics: Sports and Martial Arts
- TV rating: NR
- Last updated: June 1, 2023
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
TV Shows About Mental Health
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate