Sony is staying in business with funnyman Kevin James. Deadline New York reports that the studio has greenlit an untitled mixed martial arts movie for the comedian to star in.

Allan Loeb wrote the script, which centers on Kevin James' character, an affable physics professor who moonlights as a mixed martial arts fighter. He takes on the second gig due to budget cutbacks at his school, and he's trying to earn enough money to save his friend's job and the school's music program. It was said his fighting path will take him all the way up to the Ultimate Fighting Championship circuit.

Sony has distributed Kevin James' recent movies Paul Blart: Mall Cop, Grown Ups and the upcoming comedy The Zookeeper, which is set for release on July 8, 2011

Deadline New York reports that Sony has put the movie on the fast track, and hopes to go into production sometime next year. No director has been attached at this time. Kevin James will also produce the movie along with Todd Garner.