What happens when an artist trades studio lights for fight lights? Paperweight, now streaming on Amazon Prime, answers that question with sweat, bruises, and a story that hits harder than you’d expect.

The 65-minute sports documentary follows recording artist Andrew P. Oliver as he ditches the mic and straps on 4-ounce gloves, determined to find out what it really takes to fight. This isn’t a vanity project—it’s an immersion. Oliver trains under UFC featherweight Westin Wilson and embeds himself in one of MMA’s most respected gyms: Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson’s Upstate Karate in South Carolina.

The hook? His journey doesn’t stop at mitt work or sparring sessions. It all builds toward a collision with Wonderboy himself. For Oliver, the music fades and the cage becomes his stage.

Why Paperweight Stands Out

Plenty of fight docs showcase fighters climbing the ranks. Oliver wanted to flip the script—it’s about an outsider walking straight into the fire. “This movie is, in part, for the armchair quarterbacks of the world who love to scream at the television, convinced they could do it better themselves. We wanted the film to showcase in full detail the contrast between the casual fan and the master of his craft in the octagon.”

The film provides an unexpected perspective. Watching a musician endure the grind of wrestling drills, endless cardio, and cage sparring brings a raw honesty you don’t see in polished sports packages. Training at Wonderboy’s gym ensures authenticity and thrusts the viewer into true fight culture. The camera doesn’t flinch—you see the grind, the doubt, and the respect MMA demands.

At just over an hour, the pacing of the doc never drags. It’s pure forward momentum, like a fighter pressing the action. Capped off by a final showdown with Wonderboy, it’s more than spectacle -it’s the film’s emotional payoff.

Festival Roots, Streaming Stage

Paperweight premiered earlier this year at the Reedy Reels Film Festival, then rolled into Video on Demand through Buffalo 8. Now, with its Amazon Prime release on September 5, the doc is set for a bigger audience—both fight fans and those curious to see what happens when creativity meets combat.

The Bigger Picture

The best fight stories aren’t just about who wins or loses. They’re about transformation. Paperweight shows Oliver stripped of comfort, standing across from one of the sport’s elite, and still choosing to walk forward.

It’s musician vs. fighter. Art vs. aggression. Comfort zone vs. total chaos. And sometimes, that chaos creates something unforgettable.

Bottom line: Paperweight isn’t just another fight doc—it’s a collision of two worlds, and proof that stepping into the cage is as much about courage as it is about combat.

Watch it now on Amazon Prime Video.