Martial arts action as a new-kid-on-the block has to adapt fast to survive. Jake Tyler (Sean Faris) has just moved to Orlando with his family in support of his younger brother Charlie (Wyatt Smith), a budding tennis star. Trying to fit in at his new school, Jake soon gains a reputation as a brawler, a tag he tries to lose by accepting an invitation from hot classmate Baja (Amber Heard) to a local hip party. Goaded by local bully Ryan McCarthy (Cam Gigandet), Jake suffers a heavy beating, prompting him to join up at a Mixed Martial Arts course run by Jean Roqua (Djimon Hounsou). Initially sceptical about the new discipline, Jake soon finds he has an aptitude and, under Jean's expert guidance, the former hothead crystallises into a lean, mean, fighting machine, ready for the ultimate showdown.