Starring Kevin James

If I didn’t know better, I would think that Kevin James had an affinity for Massachusetts the likes of an area native. The star of “Here Comes the Boom” actually hails from Stony Brook, N.Y., yet he has filmed five movies in Massachusetts in recent years: “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” in Burlington, released in 2009, “Grown Ups” in Essex, 2010, “Zookeeper” in Boston, 2011, “Grown Ups 2” in Marblehead and Lowell, which was filmed throughout this summer with Adam Sandler, Chris Rock and David Spade; and the soon to be released “Here Comes the Boom,” which was filmed in Quincy and Lowell.

“Here Comes the Boom” will hit theaters on Oct. 12. The film features James as a 42-year-old high school biology teacher who becomes a mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter to raise money for his school.

The movie also stars Salma Hayek as James’ love interest, and Henry Winkler, better known as The Fonz on the TV sitcom “Happy Days,” as James’ colleague-turned-coach.

This comical look at the down-and-dirty sport of mixed martial arts plays out perfectly in our neck of the woods, where MMA has a dedicated following.

MMA is still a relatively young sport, and though it is gaining mainstream momentum, the public perception of the sport is as mixed as the activity itself. Dan Greene, founder of the Cage Strikers MMA gym in Salisbury, expects “Here Comes the Boom” will have a positive impact on the sport and generate interest. “MMA is a highly skilled sport that has had a bad reputation, but shouldn’t,” Greene says. “It is doing well, but to survive, you need to promote it.” And what better way to do that than with a feature film?

Fight scenes for “Here Comes the Boom” were filmed inside the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell. Keith Vaske, general manager at the Tsongas Center, regards the presence of Hollywood as he would any other event that the center hosts.

“It’s a part of working in the arena world and in this kind of a building,” Vaske says. “So if you’re going to be successful in the business and be respected, you have to learn how to deal with it and not get starstruck.”

The Tsongas Center has had success as a filming location for both “Here Comes the Boom” and “The Fighter.”

“I think we are a perfect location,” Vaske says. “And a resource that is, hopefully, just beginning to get tapped.”

Additional local participation in the film came from Amesbury-based MMA apparel company PVL Brand, which provided the official MMA gloves worn by the actors and extras on set.Training to be an MMA fighter is intense. James lost nearly 70 pounds for his role in the film, and despite his usual husky build, he managed his part well. Greene witnessed him in action and says, “He is actually quite athletic.”

Young fans who will watch James do the unexpected, participate in an MMA fight for profit, might want to heed the cautionary message of “don’t try this at home.” But do enjoy James in this endearing, locally filmed movie that will have you laughing at a brutally funny take on an equally brutal sport.