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Amongst the cherry blossoms in suburban Tokyo, days before the biggest fight of her career, a Kiwi MMA fighter grapples with her emotions. This is Fight Woman.

Fight Woman is a film by Gwen Isaac and produced by Phillida Perry, and centres around Kiwi MMA fighter Sarah McCann.

"Last year, I became inspired by Sarah McCann, the star of  Fight Woman, and knew that her story needed to be told. She's a mixture of brains and brawn - she fights hard and thinks hard," says Gwen.

But before Fight Woman can be made, help is needed to get the project up an running.

A funding campaign has been launched this week, with a plan to shoot the film in March and to release it in July, via prestigious NZ initiative, Loading Docs.

"With your backing, we can bring the story of Māori mixed martial artist (MMA), Sarah McCann, on the brink of a career-defining battle, to the world.

"We want to inspire more women (and men of course) to push themselves and achieve their dreams. 

"Fighting for her future, is Sarah physically and mentally prepared to prove herself against the best fighters, in this, the world’s bloodiest sport?"

Gwen says they are aiming to make a visceral and emotional film about how Sarah prepares for battle, and delve into her relationship with trainer/husband Enson Inoue, a retired professional legend.

Gwen hopes there are others out there who will share her passion for the film, and weigh-in with all-women crew, so they can go to Tokyo to follow this Sarah.  

"We will have front row seats as Sarah prepares to face her biggest challenge yet -  her 'come back' fight after an extended time out of the octagon. 

"We will see Sarah training and straining and grappling with physical limits, in the lead up to bloody battle in the historic Korakuen Hall.

"Fight Woman was selected to be part of the prestigious NZ documentary platform, Loading Docs, but my film will go out to the world, with your help."

Click here to donate to the Fight Woman campaign.