After losing a fight, Boxing Zack Gomes is informed by a doctor that he has sustained a partially detached retina, and he may risk permanent blindness should he receive another hit to the head. On his way out of the hospital, he overhears the receptionist talking about Mixed martial arts while viewing the website for an upcoming underground event known as "The Beatdown". Talented MMA fighter Tim Newhouse struggles to help his family when they are in debt following the death of his father. Former high school wrestler Mike Stokes is the new kid in college and deals with issues involving his father leaving his mother for a man. Comic book store clerk Justin Epstein is walking home when he is run down and stabbed by bullies. However, he is saved by Tim and his martial arts master Case Walker, who are training in a vacant lot.