American Warrior (2024)

[bunniefuu]

[faint, soft tense music]

[faint crowd cheering]

[tense music]

-[Marcus grunting]

-Set it up now!

-[Marcus grunting]

[fence rattling]

-Watch the kick!

Watch the kick!

[tense music]

-[Dennis] Watch the takedown!

[thuds]

[tense music]

[faint crowd cheering]

[thuds]

-Go!

Let's go.

-[Marcus grunting]

[music stops]

[faint, soft tense music]

[faint, soft atmospheric music]

[joints popping]

[plastic rustles]

[water running]

[microwave beeps]

[microwave beeping]

[faint siren wailing]

[faint, soft atmospheric music]

-Can I order some flowers?

Stargazer lilies.

Uh, eight stems.

With foliage, yes.

Sure.

[door creaks]

[door thuds]

[ambient atmospheric music]

[elevator dings]

[door clicks]

-If you're scheduled to work

in the morning shift,

you're expected to be here

before we open up.

That's the job.

This is supposed to be

an opportunity,

so take advantage of it.

-[Xavier] Yes, sir.

-[Marcella] Don't "yes, sir" me.

Just go do your job.

-[Xavier] Yeah, no problem.

-Jai, you please

show him the ropes.

Go.

-[Xavier] You know,

they had me down

at the county for two years.

Two years.

I didn't even do anything,

just...

Whatever,

some armed robbery charges,

waiting for a trial,

you know.

It's all bullshit, right?

So, how long they have you?

Huh?

You a k*ller?

f*ck, man, what was it?

Unpaid parking tickets?

I mean, sh*t.

-You just need to make sure

these bathrooms are clean.

They get dirty quick.

-Whatever you say, k*ller.

Whatever you say.

[ambient atmospheric music]

[water running]

-[Melissa] Oh, hey, Jai.

Thank you.

You're the one

who found my earring, right?

-No, sorry.

[ambient atmospheric music]

[punching bag thuds]

[punching bag thuds]

[metal rattles]

-[Tarsem] Oh, hey, man.

How you doing?

[cash register beeps]

Okay.

It'll be $27.99.

[car whooshing by]

[train rumbling]

[ambient atmospheric music]

[indistinct chatter on TV]

[birds chirping]

-[Jai] What's up, doc?

How are you?

-[Priya] [giggles]

-[Jai]

Wanna get something to eat?

-[Priya]

Yeah, that'd be great.

-[Jai] Oh, my gosh.

Is that Devi?

She is grown up, man.

-[chuckles]

She has her heart

set on Johns Hopkins.

Already has a hoodie.

-How is Ma doing?

-[Priya] She's all right.

I've hired a nurse to come and

help me a couple times a week.

-Did she mention

the flowers I sent her?

-She didn't say anything

either way.

Don't worry.

She can't ignore you forever.

-She can be pretty stubborn.

-[Priya] We'll see about that.

[soft ambient music]

-[Marcella]

So, I think on the day

we're gonna need

a couple of tables,

maybe, I don't know...

-two, three over here.

-[Jai] Okay.

-And then here is where

the stage is gonna be.

I think we need to move

this one more center.

No?

And then we have

the tower of light here.

The equipment is there,

the sound equipment.

I don't know if this is

enough space for everybody.

-Maybe some more chairs

there in the corner?

-Over there?

-[Jai] Yeah.

We'll put some lights there.

-We have more lights?

-Yeah, we do in the back there.

We just gotta clean 'em.

-We have the Elevation

announcement coming up,

so I'm gonna need all of you

in your A-game

in the upcoming days,

okay?

It is important that

we get this thing all right,

that we do it good.

You know, this--this competition

is the gateway

for a lot of fighters.

It is also one of the reasons

why our gym is able to stay open

and operate the way it does.

Dreams do come true here.

Do you understand?

I'm gonna repeat this again.

Howie Williams himself

is gonna come

and help us kick this

whole thing off.

So I'm gonna need one thing

and one thing only

from all of you.

And that is to be the amazing

and wonderful employees

I thought you were

when I hired you.

Okay?

So come on, let's get moving.

Let's go.

Let's start working.

-[Melissa]

So, Marcella wants me to have

all of these stapled by Sunday,

so I figure if I'm gonna be

doing all that mindless work,

may as well be at home

in front of the TV.

You know what I mean?

Thanks, Jai.

-Yeah, no problem.

-[Melissa]

Finally have a weekend off, huh?

-Yeah.

-That's cool.

Doin' anything fun?

-No.

Okay.

Good night.

Have a good weekend.

-[Jai] Yep.

-I'll see you Monday.

[refrigeration unit hums]

-[Marcus]

This is a real ticket, man.

I bought it here. Come on.

-[Tarsem] Look, man.

-Come on. Come on.

-I already told you once, sir.

I don't feel comfortable

cashing this ticket here.

It looks forged.

-Bullshit.

It's a real ticket, man.

I got it here.

Come on.

-Look, I'll check again.

[machine beeps]

[machine error warning]

Look, man, like

I said, I don't--

I don't feel comfortable

cashing this ticket here.

-[Marcus]

I want my f*cking money,

-now!

-No, no, no.

Maybe--maybe you could

take it down the street

or something and cash it.

-Give my f*cking change!

You can do that, right?

-I got you.

I got you.

-[Marcus] Thank you.

-[Tarsem] No problem.

[tense music]

Hey, hey, hey.

Come on, man.

Come on, man, please.

-[Jai grunts]

-Get the f*ck off me.

f*ck off me.

-Calling the cops.

[Jai grunts]

[tense music]

-[Tarsem]

Luckily, this guy was here.

He stops him,

comes out here, wrestles him,

risks--risks his life.

He had nothing to do with it.

I got security cameras

proving everything.

We got witnesses that were here.

They saw the whole thing.

-[male officer] He's clear.

-[Officer Lee] All right, Jai,

you are free to go.

Here.

Come on up.

-[Tarsem] Sir, thank you.

I appreciate it.

-[Officer Lee]

Hold still for a second.

[cuffs rattling]

-[male Officer] Oh, yeah.

[door dings]

-[Tarsem] Hey.

Hey, buddy!

Hey.

Excuse me.

On the house.

-Not necessary, man.

-No, man.

Please.

Take it.

-Thank you.

-You're welcome.

You have a good night.

-You too.

[tense music building up]

[rhythmic tense music]

[dramatic music]

-[Sabrina] Excuse me.

You're Jai, right?

-Yeah.

-[Sabrina] I'm Sabrina.

I'm a fitness influencer

on Instagram.

I love to raise awareness about

local heroes in the community.

Can I get a quick

selfie with you?

Do you mind?

-[Jai] No, I--

-[Sabrina] Just one photo.

[phone camera clicks]

Thanks so much.

-[Marcella]

Do you know who this is?

This is Marcus Cahill.

You, sir, have just demolished

a five-star 245 champion.

This thing has already

racked up half a million views.

It's gonna be great for the gym.

-I don't know what to say.

-There's nothing to say.

You just retweet,

repost, hashtag the gym.

There you go.

Simple as that.

[rhythmic tense music]

[crowd cheering]

-[Marcus grunts]

[crowd cheering]

[soft tense music]

-[Melissa] And uh--we just need

a credit card on file

and you should be good to go.

-Okay, thank you.

[paper rustling]

-[Jai] Hey.

-Hey.

-[Jai] Got any plans tonight?

-No.

The idea of, like,

nursing and social work.

You know, those kinds of jobs

where you can actually,

you know, make a difference.

That's the kind of stuff

that's always appealed to me.

What about you?

-Run a business, probably.

-A business?

Like, what kind of business?

-I used to run my family's

enterprise many years ago.

-[Melissa] Yeah?

What was that?

-Mortgage company.

-[Melissa] Mortgage company?

That's cool.

So how'd you come

to work at the gym?

-It was one of the few jobs

I was offered when I got out.

-But-- but what made

you pick a gym? [chuckles]

-The hours are great,

and it's not far

from my apartment.

-[Melissa] Yeah.

-And sometimes I like

to get a workout in.

-Did you ever fight?

-Yeah.

Yeah, I did.

Yeah.

When I was younger,

I started to, yes.

-[Melissa] Professionally?

-You can call it that.

-You think it's something

you'd ever do again?

-Too old.

Too late, maybe...

-[Melissa] I think there's about

50,000 gajillion people

on Twitter

who would totally

disagree with that?

Did you see this?

Look at this.

You're trending.

Hashtag The Janitor.

-What is a hashtag?

-[laughs] Are you kidding?

How long were you

in prison for, dude?

Come on.

[laughs]

-[Tarsem] Hey, what's up, man?

My favorite customer.

-Name's Tarsem.

-Jai.

-[Tarsem] What's up, Jai?

Man, I really appreciate

what you did for me, man.

You know what?

Family discount.

-You don't have to do that.

-[Tarsem] I already did it.

It's done.

-Thank you.

-Hey, I'm gonna go ahead

and ask, man.

Would you do me a favor?

Just take a photo with me?

-Photo?

-[Tarsem] Yeah, man, look.

Right there.

Check it out.

My wall of fame.

Yeah, that's Jessie

from uh--Channel Seven,

the weather girl.

Oh, she comes in.

She's so beautiful.

So down to earth.

Oh, Mike, he runs

the camera over there.

I got everybody

from Channel 7, man.

[camera clicks]

Perfect.

Man, I really

appreciate you, Jai.

Hey, um, let me get you a bag.

Get you out of here.

-[Announcer] The legendary,

the one and only,

Howie Williams!

[cheers and applause]

[tense music]

-[Howie]

How you all feeling tonight?

Are you excited?

-[Crowd] Yeah!

-[Howie]

This whole idea, really,

was to try to find a way

to get back

to this area I call home

and try to highlight

fighters who, like me,

otherwise wouldn't get a chance.

I want local fighters

to be noticed,

not because of nepotism

or because of class,

but because of hard work.

[cheers and applause]

So, I want to thank everyone

for being here

and supporting that.

And if you're

a would-be fighter,

a has-been fighter,

or just starting out,

this is for you.

Hope to see you in the ring.

[cheers and applause]

[melancholic music]

[crowd cheering]

-[man] Give me one.

Keep it going.

That's it.

That's it, Jai.

[melancholic music]

[crowd cheering]

-[Jai] Yeah!

h* h*!

-[Marcella] Who the hell is

A.J. Badshah?

Forty-five years old,

9,000 North Sheridan Road.

This is you, right?

-I'm not using my real name.

-No sh*t.

Why not?

-[Jai]

I don't want the attention.

-[Marcella]

You, sir, are a viral sensation.

How much more

attention can you get?

-I just wanna fight.

-[Marcella] Okay, you are Jai,

the Janitor Vigilante.

Can you see how good this

can be for us, for the gym?

You know, you can call yourself

Jai Smith for all I care,

but Jai has to be

the first name.

-Fine.

-[Marcella] Great. So?

-I'll be Jai Badshah.

-Jai Badshah it is.

Do you want to take

some MMA classes here with us?

I'll give you a discount.

-[instructor] One, two, three.

[claps]

All right, let's go.

Get those punches out there.

Good.

Hit that--hit that sprawl.

Come on, push it, push it.

Let's go, let's go.

Keep up that pace.

You got to push yourself.

Last push, last push.

Five, four, three, two, one.

And time.

Good job.

Clap it out.

Way to go.

All right, go ahead.

Take a knee.

All right, awesome push, guys.

Now let's get to work.

All right, guys, today we are

gonna be working that arm bar

from back position.

But before we get to that,

don't want to intimidate anyone,

but we do have Jai,

the Janitor Vigilante,

among us.

All right?

[applause]

All right,

all right, all right.

Jai, why don't you come up here

and help me

demonstrate the move?

Come on up.

Come on.

Good.

Yep.

If you don't mind taking

a seat right there?

Thank you, Jai.

All right, guys,

so we are starting

in that backpack position.

All right, now every animal

has the instinct

to protect its neck,

and we are no different.

So from this position,

he's worried about

that rear naked choke.

That's gonna give me

ample opportunity

to take that arm bar.

So keeping that tight underhook,

I'm gonna switch

my hand position,

switch my hips,

keeping control of that wrist.

I'm gonna extend

that arm until he taps,

and then we release.

All right, let's pair it up

and try it out.

One, two, three.

[claps]

-Oh, hey.

So it's true.

You're fighting in Elevation...

Mr. Badshah.

-Yeah.

-No.

I'm excited for you.

Good luck.

-Thanks.

-You know, I was thinking of

some cool stage names for you.

You know,

like "The Cleaner."

"Hermit the Frog."

"Stain Remover."

I hope you mop

the floor with him.

[melancholic music]

[light switch clicks]

[door creaks open]

[upbeat tense music]

[punching bag thuds]

[grunting]

[grunting]

[upbeat music fading out]

[keyboard clacking]

-[Dennis] Don't forget

to check the portal!

I'm posting

a new assignment tonight.

See you all on Friday!

[ambient atmospheric music]

-Hi, Dennis.

-[Dennis] I don't think

this is a good idea.

I mean, you can't do better

than Elevation at this level.

It's the real deal.

We're talking real fighters

hungry to make a name

for themselves.

Don't you have enough going on?

Aren't you still working

with your parents?

-I work at a gym.

-[Dennis] Oh, personal trainer.

-Janitor.

-Look, Jai. I'm flattered

that you thought of me,

but I'm not a trainer anymore.

-Not asking for much, you know.

Set me up with a morning routine

like we used to.

Uh--I should be able

to take care of the rest.

I don't have a lot of money.

-I'm gonna be late

for my meeting.

Good seeing you, Jai.

Been a long time.

[soft, gentle music]

-[Melissa] Come on.

Okay, so what are we doing?

We fighting?

-[Jai] No, we're gonna spar.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

What are you doing?

-I'm doing what you're doing.

-[Jai] No, you're not.

Want to watch me?

-[Melissa] Mm-hmm.

-You always want to be side on.

Square your shoulders.

Okay, good.

Very good.

So you're left-handed?

Okay.

All right, so with this hand,

you're gonna jab on this glove.

This, you're going

to hit a cross.

Cross.

Good.

So when you do your cross,

you turn.

Okay?

Yes, very good.

-Okay.

-[Jai] Yeah.

Cross.

Yeah.

Cross.

Yeah. Cross.

Okay.

Take it to the next level.

Okay.

So the next two, so you're

gonna go through a hook.

Yes, and then the uppercut.

Yes, very good.

-All right, let's try Hook.

-Okay.

-Uppercut.

Hook.

Uppercut.

Uh-uh.

Easy.

Slow.

All right.

Hook.

Uppercut.

You got it?

So now we put the four together.

-[Melissa] Okay.

-So the jab.

Cross.

Hook.

Uppercut.

Jab.

Cross.

Hook.

Uppercut.

Oh, all right.

Okay, very good.

Want a break?

-[laughs] No.

-[Jai] [laughs] Okay.

[soft tense music]

[birds chirping]

-[Dennis]

It's a different game now, Jai.

At your age, it's all about

diet and nutrition.

You're gonna have

to take things real slow.

Your warm ups,

your cool downs,

have to double up

or you're gonna hurt yourself

before you even get

into the cage.

What's your routine been?

Have you been running

every morning?

-[Jai] Yeah.

-[Dennis] Any aches,

pains in your knees or back?

-A little, yeah.

-Yeah is too much.

You're gonna have

to do every other day.

Now you can still push yourself,

but your body

needs time to recover.

When's your fight?

-In six weeks.

-[Dennis] Who you fighting?

-Don't know yet.

-Why can't you use your own gym?

-I tried.

It's like I'm some social

media mascot or something.

Can't do it.

-[Dennis] Yeah,

but you're gonna need weights,

punching bags, sparring

partners.

How you gonna do that?

-[Jai] I thought I could do it

all on my own

and get a sparring partner

down the road.

-How you gonna pay

for a sparring partner?

-[Jai] My boss will sponsor me.

-[Dennis] Sounds like you

should use your gym.

-I still need a coach.

-When you training again?

-[Jai] Tomorrow.

After work.

-[Dennis]

I want you to understand,

I wouldn't usually do this.

So if you have

any doubts about your age

or about what you're putting

your body through,

now's the time

to think it through.

And make sure this is something

you need in your bones.

Because six weeks

is plenty of time

to lose your nerve.

So you think about it, Jai.

[panting]

[tense music]

-Jai, look at me.

Hey, just look at me.

-You still see bruises there?

-[Priya] No.

Yeah, you look happier.

-I do?

-[Priya] Yes, you do.

Trust me, I can tell.

So some of the family's been

talking about you.

They watched your video.

They were very impressed.

-Really?

-Yeah.

So they're gonna be stoked

to see you next Friday.

What?!

-Priya.

-Mm?

[indistinct]

You're not hungry?

-[Jai] What do you mean, Priya?

How are they

gonna see me next Friday?

-Because you're invited

to Diwali at our mom's.

-Ma invited me?

-[Priya] I'm inviting you.

Look, you have to break

the ice at some point.

Might as well be now, yeah?

-[Melissa]

Okay, so how do you say

"My name is"?

Like, "My name is Melissa."

[Jai speaks in Tamil]

-[speaks in Tamil]

-Pretty good.

-How do you say

"Nice to meet you"?

-[speaks in Tamil]

-I don't--I don't think

I should try that. [laughs]

What about "I'm hungry"?

-[speaks in Tamil]

-[Melissa] Wh-what?

-[speaks in Tamil]

-[speaks in Tamil] No, really.

[speaks in Tamil]

-Oh. Let's go

get some Indian food.

[Melissa laughs]

So, what's the deal

with Di-divali?

-[Jai] Diwali.

-Diwali?

-So, it's the Christmas

of the Hindus.

It's the most important

festival for Hindus.

We celebrate family and friends

in worship and prayer

and with a lot of dessert

and food.

And we burst crackers.

-Crackers?

-[Jai] Fireworks. [chuckles]

-Oh.

[laughs] Okay.

I thought

you literally meant crackers.

But okay.

Okay.

-[Jai] But ultimately,

it's a day to remember

you in a light

to signify victory

of light over darkness.

-Sounds like you should go.

So, who all is

going to be there?

Your mom, your dad,

your siblings?

-[Jai] Dad passed away

many years ago.

It'll be my mom,

my siblings, Priya,

my cousin Ravi,

my cousin Karthai

and his family.

My cousin Tina with her family,

their parents, uncles,

aunts, neighbors.

-So, basically everyone.

-I have a big family.

-Yeah.

So, when's the last time

you spoke to anyone?

-Not since I got out.

I haven't seen any--anybody.

-[Melissa] Not even your mom?

-No, except my sister.

-Are you sure it's okay

for me to come?

-I would appreciate that.

I know it's asking a lot.

-As long as

it won't make things worse.

-[Jai] Oh, no, not at all.

You're gonna have so much fun.

It's the best day

in an Indian home.

-If you're gonna wear

one of these,

what am I supposed to wear?

-Jai, meet Rory Han.

He's your sparring partner.

You want to do this or not?

-Yeah.

-Go get ready.

[tense music]

[Jai grunts]

-[Dennis] Stop block and punch

him with your face.

All right.

Drive your hips in!

Let's go!

Let's go!

Come on.

All right, all right,

all right, all right.

Good, good.

That's it.

[indistinct] [groans]

[Jai grunts]

-[Dennis] Check the knee.

Wait, turn into it!

Turn.

Hand on your head!

Hand on your head!

[groans]

-[Jai grunts]

-[Dennis] All right,

all right, okay, fine.

All right,

all right, all right.

Come on.

[claps]

-[Jai groans] [panting]

-[Dennis]

Got to drive them hips in.

Got to drive your hips in, Jai.

-[Jai panting]

-[Jai] Thanks.

-[Dennis] Thanks, Rory.

-[Jai] How'd you find him?

-He takes my American history

class on weekends.

Bad student.

Great fighter though.

Go figure. [laughs]

Three minutes, Jai.

That's all the time you've got.

Until we know

who your opponent is,

we've got to assume the worst.

The longer the fight goes on,

the more energy you'll use.

And let's face it,

you're no spring chicken.

Our best strategy is

to beat the clock.

Now, you're slower

than you used to be,

but you still got power.

-I'm good at submissions.

-[Dennis] Yeah.

Then you need to take him

to the mat quick.

Get him to tap out

the first round.

-Are you ready to go again?

-Yeah.

-[Dennis] [taps] Let's do it.

-[Jai grunts]

-[Dennis] Okay, 30 seconds.

[tense music]

-[Jai grunts] [groans]

-[Dennis] Roll, roll, roll.

Yeah.

Good, good.

Twenty.

Good, good, good.

That's it, that's it, that's it.

Ten seconds.

All right, time.

Time.

Jai, time.

Time.

Hey, time.

Time, time.

Time.

Gonna need some work, all right?

We got it.

[soft tense music]

-[Melissa] You okay?

-Yeah. Let's go.

-[Melissa] [sighs] Jai...

is this the house

you grew up in?

-[Jai] Yeah.

-[Melissa] You owe me big time.

-[Priya] Hi.

-[Melissa] Hi. [giggles]

-[Priya] Come.

Oh, Melissa.

-Thank you so much

-So lovely.

for letting me borrow this.

-[Priya] Yeah, with pleasure.

-Magnificent.

-You look gorgeous.

-You are magnificent.

-[Melissa] Thank you, thank you.

-[Priya] And you,

you didn't chicken out.

How terrific.

-[Jai] Happy Diwali.

[door thuds]

-[Priya] Are you hungry?

-[Melissa] Starving.

-[Priya] Because we're kind

of known for food.

-[laughs]

-Hey, let me introduce you

to everyone first, yeah?

-Hello.

-This is Melissa.

-This is Jai's friend.

-Hi.

-Nice to meet you. Melissa.

-[guest] Hello.

[indistinct chatter]

[emotional music]

[indistinct chatter]

-[Ravi] One more acquisition

and we're there. Yeah.

-Cheers.

-Cheers.

-Hello.

-[Jai] Hey guys.

-[Melissa] Hello. Hi.

I'm Melissa.

-[Ravi] Ravi.

-[Melissa] Nice to meet you.

-[Ravi] Nice to meet you.

-Hey. Melissa.

-Hello.

-[Rishi] Nice to meet you.

-[Ravi] Jai.

Hi.

-We saw you on the internet.

You k*lled that guy.

I mean, [scoffs] it

was all over the place.

-[Jai] Yeah?

-Yeah.

-It's okay.

It's okay.

So, you're--you're doing well?

-I'm doing great.

-[Ravi] Oh, okay.

What about you?

-[Ravi] Ah,

work is great. Yeah.

Kids, work,

it's--it's wonderful. [laughs]

Go, go, go.

Yeah.

-[Jai] They grow up fast.

-Rishi here has become

quite the businessman.

-Oh yeah?

-Ravi's being too kind.

I--I've learned a lot from Ravi.

He's pretty much

taught me everything he knows.

-Not quite.

[chuckles]

-Well, I'm getting there,

you know?

And now I have the confidence to

actually go into business

for myself now.

-Oh.

You always had it in you.

-That's so kind.

Thank you.

-What about you, Jai?

What have you been up to

when you're not saving the world

from criminals?

-I work at a gym.

-[Rishi] Yeah.

Asked me if I said that.

Oh, too slow.

-[Ravi] So uh, you're a trainer?

-Janitor.

-A janitor.

-[Jai] Yeah.

Great.

-Well, Jai,

he's being very modest.

-[Ravi] Hmm.

-The owner absolutely loves him.

He's--he's working his way up.

I'm sure he is.

[indistinct chatter]

[atmospheric ambient music]

-Hi, Ma.

-Jai.

-Happy Diwali.

-Happy Diwali.

-Thanks for inviting me.

I know what that means.

Really appreciate it.

[atmospheric ambient music]

-I got it.

Ma, I just wanted to say,

if you ever need any help,

you just have to call me.

Excuse me.

-[Ravi] So, Jai.

It's been a long time.

-Priya felt it was

the right time for me

to make an entrance.

-I know why Priya invited you.

No one can say no

to your sister.

She's the heart of this family.

And, you know, she's actually

no different than your mother.

You know, Jai,

we didn't tell the kids

what happened

with the jail and the fraud.

In fact, Rishi doesn't know

the extent of what you did

and how it affected

the family and the business.

And your father.

[scoffs] He was so young.

[sighs] You put us

through a lot, you know.

I'm just gonna be honest

with you.

I don't think it's a good idea

that you're here tonight.

And you being here

doesn't mean

that everyone's okay with it.

We need to know

that things have changed,

that you've changed.

And you've got plans

for how to mend things.

-It's not so simple, Ravi.

-[Ravi] Priya invited you

out of pity.

And now you think

you can just waltz in here

-like nothing ever happened?

-[Priya] Hey, fellas.

What are you up to?

-Just having a drink.

[chuckles]

-Okay, wrap it up.

It's time for fireworks.

Yeah?

-[speaks in foreign language]

Just think about it, yeah?

Glad to see you're

doing so well.

[gentle music]

-Hey.

You okay?

[muffled chatter]

-[Dennis] Double jab.

[punching bag thuds]

Double jab, right cross.

[punching bag thuds]

Double jab, right cross, hook.

[punching bag thuds]

Double jab, double jab.

[punching bag thuds]

Double jab.

[punching bag thuds]

[groans]

Look, what's wrong?

Huh?

You're slouching.

You used to stand up

straight and proud.

I remember.

All I see now

is a little timid janitor.

You used to walk like,

"I'm a fighter,"

and that's what I wanna see.

I wanna see confidence.

I wanna see a fighter.

Are you a janitor,

or are you a fighter?

The change is all up here.

And you got to figure out

what is holding you back.

[tense music]

-[Melissa] Have you heard

from anybody since the party?

-Yeah.

I'll be meeting Priya this week.

-[Melissa] That's good.

You know, you don't have

to tell me, but I have to ask.

What happened between

you and your family?

-During the financial crisis,

I committed mortgage fraud.

My partners and I,

we thought we could...

make a quick buck.

We did what they call

"funny loans."

Fudged numbers.

Approved loans for people

who really didn't qualify.

And eventually,

these people lost their homes.

And we had done so many,

the authorities got wind of it.

We got busted.

I got busted.

Got sent to prison for crime.

I lost everything.

My family.

My fiancee.

-You know, Jai,

I wasn't always this, um,

perfectly well-adjusted angel.

I'm three years sober.

And I only recently got

shared custody of Billie back.

Most the time

he lives with his...

dad and stepmom in Oak Park.

I guess what I'm trying to say

is that...

things take time.

You know, it takes work.

I'm so glad

that I was able to...

pull myself together.

Because I got him back.

And so, I-I try

and make it up to him.

You know?

Every single minute

we're together.

[gentle music]

[tense music]

[Jai grunts] [panting]

[rhythmic tense music]

[faint pan sizzling]

[pan sizzling]

-[Jai] Here you go.

-Wow. This looks amazing.

[cutlery clinks]

Mmm.

Mm-hmm.

This is very good.

This is what you make

all the girls, right?

["Fade" by Ionic x Janita]

-[Jai] Yeah.

Tight?

All right.

We're almost done.

We've been here for a minute

How's it feel?

-Good.

-Good.

Had your love for a minute

But I let it go

It's been a long time

since we fell in love

-[Jai] Are you gonna punch

me or something?

-[Melissa] Yeah.

I look in your eyes

I only see what we lost

So maybe we should

just let it fade

Maybe it's just,

just gonna fade

So maybe we should

just let it fade

[camera clicks]

-[Marcella] Okay, there you go.

Let's start with a...

I don't know.

Let's start with a jab-cross.

Come on, man.

And looking fierce

to the camera.

Okay, again.

Jab-cross,

jab-cross again.

Come

on. More.

[camera clicks]

Okay.

That's--that's a little better.

Not so much.

Okay, let's do it again.

Let's throw some punches, man.

[camera clicks]

Like you have to look fierce.

You look weak.

Okay.

Another jab-cross.

There you go.

Let's do it again.

Do some kicks.

Okay.

Just keep doing that

with gloves.

And good.

Okay?

-[Melissa] There you are.

[chuckles]

-How are you?

-[Marcus] I'm good.

-[Marcella]

Hi, long time no see.

[Marcus's Manager] I know.

-[Marcella] Keep going, man.

[tense music]

[Marcus grunting]

[punching bag thuds]

-Marcus should be locked up.

I didn't sign up for this.

-[Marcella] Number one,

you don't get to choose

who your opponent is.

You knew that

when you signed in.

Number two, every single fighter

in this ballot

would k*ll to be in your shoes

and had like

something like this.

You're practically

the main event.

What else do you want?

You already beat him once.

Just do it again.

[soft tense music]

[crowd cheering]

[thuds]

-[Dennis]

If this guy gets on top of you,

he'll dig your grave

and bury you in it.

Now this guy's never been

tapped out.

-I think I can get

him wrapped up.

-[Dennis] No, we'd be playing

right to his strength.

No, you're not gonna win this

one with a submission hold.

We have to focus on striking.

Use your power,

and end this quick.

Man.

[chuckles]

They really want

to screw you over, huh?

[tense music]

-I told you.

Yeah!

Let's go, let's go, let's go!

[tense music]

-[Marcus grunts]

-[Marcus grunts]

[crowd cheering]

[tense music]

[fence rattles]

[tense music]

[grunts]

[thuds]

-Get over here!

Okay!

Now, you know the deal.

It's a book bed!

-[Billie] You're too slow!

[laughs]

-[Jai]

What's your favorite book?

-All of them.

[laughs]

-All? [laughs]

All right.

All?

Let's see.

You like any of these?

-Yeah.

-Which one?

Leaf Thief.

The Leaf Thief.

[reading] "Oh, wait a minute!

One of my leaves is missing.

Where is it?

It's not here.

It's not under here.

Hey, Mr. Bird."

[gentle music]

-[Melissa] Oh. Thank you

for doing that, Jai.

-He's a good kid.

-Yeah. He gets

so crazy sometimes.

I'm amazed that

you were able to.

-Going on a cruise?

[mouse clicks]

-Uh--Just trying

to distract myself.

-From what?

-I have another court hearing.

My ex is trying to move to

St. Louis for work

and he wants

to take Billie with him.

I--I mean,

I don't think he can do it,

but it just doesn't stop him

from trying, of course.

So...

-I'm sorry.

-It's okay.

So, I do this thing where I...

where I create like

a reward system

to help me get through things.

So, check this out.

They're offering this

five day, four night,

all-inclusive package.

I mean, look at that.

Wouldn't that be amazing?

-[Jai] How much is it?

-[Melissa] I don't know, but...

I mean, [chuckles] it would

be great, you know?

Sun, fresh air,

whooshing waves at night.

-I can't afford it.

-All right.

You ruined that.

It's supposed to be fun.

-Sorry.

-It's all right.

[indistinct chatter]

[metal rattling]

[phone ringing]

-[into phone] Priya?

Everything okay?

-[Ravi into phone]

It was touch and go,

but she's stabilized.

Let me call you back.

Jai, not now.

-I need to see her!

-Everything's fine,

man, okay?

But you being here,

it doesn't help anything.

Understand?

-Ravi... Please.

Jai, I told you not to come.

-How is she?

-She's okay for now.

But we all talked about it,

and we think

it's best for her

if you kept your distance.

For a bit.

I promise I will update you,

but you can't stay.

[somber music]

Jai, please.

[somber music]

[Radio DJ] And we're back.

The Elevation Tournament,

which is in its seventh year,

is coming up next Sunday.

Jai Badshah will be facing off

against Marcus Cahill

in the middleweight division.

This is a fight

you do not want to miss, people.

Jai, we've all seen

the incredible video

of you shutting down Marcus

all over social media.

How does it feel

to be facing him again,

but this time in the ring?

-[Jai] Look,

Marcus is a great fighter.

From my side, I just have to do

my best to prepare for the fight

in every way I can.

-[Dana] Wow, okay.

So, not many fighters would

consider Marcus a great fighter.

He is, in fact,

one of the dirtiest

to play the game,

from refusing

to acknowledge tap outs

to his reckless behavior

outside of the ring.

I mean, do you have

to take into account

the possibility

of Marcus either creatively

or purposefully trying

to break rules?

And how do you protect yourself

against something like that?

-[Jai] There's always

an element of danger.

You can get hurt

or hurt the other person.

It's the nature of the beast.

You just have to be aggressive,

prepared,

and trust in the organization

to uphold

the rules of the sport.

-[Dana] Cahill is notorious

for his ground-and-pound style

and going for knockouts

while in the ring.

We've seen this

countless of times,

one of the most extreme examples

being his fight with Brad Lazen,

where he fractured

multiple bones in Lazen's skull.

[tense music]

[punching bag thuds]

-[Dennis] That's it, yeah.

Okay, now come on.

Come on, let's go.

One, two, kick.

[punching bag thuds]

All right, okay, let's go.

One, two, kick.

[punching bag thuds]

[sighs] Okay,

all right, hold it.

Stop, stop.

-What's the matter

with you, Jai?

-Nothing.

You're losing composure.

[exhales]

[punching bag thuds]

[tense music]

So let's go, okay?

Let's go now.

Come on, let's go.

One, two, kick.

[punching bag thuds]

[tense music]

Okay, one, two.

[punching bag thuds]

One, two, kick.

Come on!

[punching bag thuds]

[sighs] Two jabs and a kick.

Two jabs and a kick.

[punching bag thuds]

Hold it.

Stop, stop.

[sighs]

Okay, where are you at?

-I just have a lot on my mind.

-[Dennis] Yeah, you have

a lot on your mind.

Right now, you've got training

on your mind!

Okay, now are you here?

All right, all right.

Now let's go. Come on!

Let's go, do it.

Kick, one, two, three.

[punching bag thuds]

One, two, three.

[punching bag thuds]

No, stop, stop.

[soft tense music]

You're in your head.

You've got to get out.

Go on, take a break, okay?

Just take a break.

[tense music]

-[Jai grunts]

-Keep your head moving.

Don't--move your head.

You'll get hit.

Now, come on.

[tense music]

-[Rory grunts]

-[Jai grunts]

-[Dennis] All right,

all right, all right.

Yeah, that's it.

All right.

Let's go, get up.

Get up, Jai.

-[Jai grunts]

-[Dennis] Good.

Jab.

Good.

All right, yeah,

circle, circle. Tap.

Good, good!

Yeah.

Fight him!

Fight him!

Good!

Good!

Good, yeah!

Get him down!

Good, good, yeah.

Good.

No, no, no, no, no.

Stop, stop.

No submission hold!

Where's your head at, Jai?

This is exactly

what we cannot do!

Focus!

Marcus is 15 years

younger than you.

If he takes you to the mat,

it's over.

We're through!

Come on, Jai, get up.

Jai. Listen,

you've got to like...

Where you going?

Jai!

[tense music]

[mop squelching]

[atmospheric ambient music]

-[Melissa]

How was training today?

-Good.

-[Melissa] Good.

I'd ask if you want

to go out to eat,

but you seem a little beat.

Do you want me to heat you up

some leftovers or...

something?

Are you all right?

-Yeah, I'm just...

tired.

-[Melissa] You sure?

You seem a little

distant tonight.

-[Jai] I'm fine.

-You don't seem fine.

-Sorry, I...

I'm exhausted and...

I think I just need to be alone.

-Well, if you feel like

talking later, just call me.

-Okay.

-Okay.

Night.

[atmospheric ambient music]

[melancholic music]

[water running]

[phone buzzing]

[plastic rustles]

-[Dennis] Commission called me.

You haven't been

answering your phone.

They need some documentation

before you're allowed to fight,

if you want to go

through with this.

But you should call them anyway.

Look, I'm sorry.

I know you've been

going through a lot.

And I've been pushing you

pretty hard,

but maybe fighting is not

what you need right now.

Why don't you

take some time off?

Take some time for yourself.

And if you need anything...

just let me know.

Okay?

[melancholic music]

-How is she doing?

-She's fading

in and out of consciousness.

The doctors don't know

if she'll make it.

[machine beeping]

[melancholic music]

[speaks in Tamil]

[sniffles]

[melancholic music]

[melancholic music continues]

[melancholic music continues]

[uplifting rhythmic music]

-[Jai] Thanks.

[uplifting rhythmic music ends]

[gentle music]

-Hey. [laughs]

Wow. I gotta say...

I wasn't sure

I wanted you to show up.

You really wanna do this?

-Let's do it.

[tense music]

-All right then.

-[Commissioner] Our first

athlete to the scale,

Jai Badshah.

Official weight, 184 pounds.

Jai Badshah.

[cheers and applause]

Next athlete to the scale,

Marcus Cahill.

[cheers and applause]

[tense music]

Official weight, 183 pounds.

Marcus Cahill.

[cheers and applause]

Gentlemen, face off.

[tense music]

-You ready for this?

-Gentlemen, face off.

Face the crowd.

[cheers and applause]

[upbeat tense music]

[upbeat tense music]

-Just checking in.

How you doing?

-Good.

-You need anything?

-When they call my name,

I want them to say Jai Kumar.

-That's my boy.

I'll see what I can do.

Hey. Good luck out there.

-Thanks.

[tense music]

-Ladies and gentlemen,

welcome once again

to Elevation MMA,

presented by Howie Williams.

-You got this.

[cheers and applause]

-[fight announcer]

It's time again

for our last fight of the night.

Are we readyyyyy?

[cheers and applause]

Three, three-minute rounds,

presented by

Doug's Sports Supply.

Standing at six feet tall,

weighing in at 184 pounds even,

welcome to the ring

Jai Kumar!

[cheers and applause]

[upbeat music]

-[Dennis] Let's go.

It's all you, it's all you.

You'll know right after this.

[cheers and applause]

[upbeat music]

-All right, you're good.

-All right.

This is you.

Stick to the plan.

-[fight announcer]

And now, introducing,

fighting out of the red corner,

standing five foot ten,

weighing in at 183 pounds even,

introducing Marcus Cahill.

[cheers and applause]

[upbeat music]

And in charge of the action,

your referee, John Navarro.

-All right, gentlemen,

bring it in.

Like we discussed

in the locker room,

I want a good hard fight,

but let's keep it clean.

Protect yourselves at all times,

and obey my commands

at all times.

If you want to,

touch gloves now.

Good luck, gentlemen.

To your corners.

Are you ready?

Are you ready?

Let's rock and roll.

[tense music]

[bell rings]

[crowd cheering]

-[Marcus grunts]

-Start pushing...!

Yeah.

Get him.

[tense music]

-[Marcus grunts]

[tense music]

-[indistinct]

-[Jai grunts]

[clapper claps]

[Jai grunting]

[air horn blares]

-[referee][indistinct] Get up.

Back to your corner.

Back to your corner.

[cheers and applause]

-All right.

Come on.

[cheers and applause]

How you feeling?

How you feeling?

-Good, good.

-[Jai panting]

All right.

Now Jai, stick to the plan.

Okay?

We know he's gonna get dirty

right now.

You know that, all right?

Now, he's gonna get real dirty.

So keep your distance,

keep your distance,

and wait for the right shot.

Hey, give him hell.

Just go for it,

just like you did right there.

Come on.

Drive it.

-[Jai panting]

[tense music]

-[referee] Ready?

You ready?

Let's rock and roll.

[bell rings]

-[Dennis] Keep it moving.

[tense music]

[cheers and applause]

-[Jai grunts] [groans]

-Get out of the clench!

-[Jai grunts] [groans]

[grunts]

[groans] [panting]

-[Marcus grunts]

-Watch the kick.

Watch the takedown!

Watch the takedown!

[thuds]

-[Marcus grunting]

[clapper claps]

[grunting]

[tense music]

-[Referee] Come on.

-[Jai panting]

-[Dennis] Let's go, Jai.

Come on.

You're all right.

You're all right.

Come on.

Come on.

Come on.

Breathe.

Come on.

Breathe.

All right.

Come on.

Sit, sit.

Mouthpiece.

-[fight doctor]

I got this. I got this.

Hold on. You okay?

You okay?

Look at me.

Look at me.

Look at me.

Look at me.

Look at my...

Watch my finger.

Okay.

Not--not your face,

just your eyes.

Only your eyes.

Watch my finger.

Okay.

Do you want

to continue this fight?

-Yes.

-Yeah.

He's clear.

-[Dennis] All right.

Okay. Thanks.

Thanks.

Come on.

Come on.

Come on.

Come on.

Come on.

Get your mind in the fight.

Never mind the crowd.

Get your mind in this fight.

Let's go.

Jai, you're all right.

Come on.

You're okay.

All right?

Come on.

-[referee] All right.

Seconds out.

[tense music]

-[Dennis] Do it.

Do it, Jai.

[tense music]

-[mouthing] You can do it.

Just focus.

-[referee] Are you ready?

Let's get to it.

[tense music]

[crowd booing]

-Get out of that!

[Jai grunts]

-[Dennis] What are you doing?

Take it!

Take it!

Don't let go.

[tense music]

[bell rings]

[cheers and applause]

-[fight announcer]

And the winner...

by way of submission is

Jai...

Kumar!

-Yeah!

[cheers and applause]

[uplifting music playing]

-[shrieks] My God.

[indistinct]

[uplifting music playing]

-[screams]

[uplifting music playing]

[melancholic music]

[birds chirping]

[melancholic music]

-[Jai] Sorry I'm late.

-It's all good.

It's just three minutes.

-You should be

warming up right now.

Let's go.

[claps]

[punching bag thuds]

[panting] [grunting]

Stop, stop.

Stop.

Hold on, man.

What are you doing?

Relax.

Relax a bit.

Inhale through your nostrils.

Exhale through your mouth.

You know the drill.

Reset.

Let's go again.

Let's go. Let's go.

[punching bag thuds]

Relax into it.

Very good.

Very good.

Good flow.

Good flow.

Very good.

Very good.

[punching bag thuds]

Very good.

Give me a combo.

Reset.

Do it slower.

Come back.

Jab, cross, hook, high knee.

Let's go.

Good, good, good.

[punching bag thuds]

Very good.

Very good. [claps]

Very good.

Very good.

That goes with my mind,

they ask you why me?

I'm a lost soul

I couldn't find me

Walking through

the fire for society

Feeling like a f*cking roller

coaster ride of anxiety

I'm stuck in this world,

crying quietly

Go ahead world,

go on, doubt me

Pull me down,

knock me out, capsize me

b*tch, I'm a fighter

Not a quitter,

so don't try me

And right now

it's time to prove my brief

I'ma smash you deep

you better watch me

Conflict, burden,

loneliness, anger

Resentment, emotions

that I'm coping with

Successes after failure

Make defeat

look like a poker chip

Odds stacked against me

But I'm betting like

a [indistinct] would never do

Tears and confusion

is my revenue

I invest in the pain cause

the payback is incredible

Abandon it all the same,

all remaining skeptical

And taught me the main thing

All I need is myself to grow

Uh, been fighting

for so long

Anxiety and fear

got my doubtful idea

when you made your taunts

But even though

I hate the fear

Of stepping

in the ring again

I'm a fighter, so there's no

chance that I'm giving in

Damn, in, out

I hear it yelling,

damn, in, out!

Building up inside of me

Lot of the city rioting

in a little fear in my soul

start corner mocking me

Damn, in, out

I hear it yelling,

damn, in, out!

Am I the victim,

or am I the cause?

We'll find out

when I beat the odds

That goes with my mind,

they ask you why me?

I'm a lost soul,

I couldn't find me

Walking through

the fire for society

Feeling like a f*cking roller

coaster ride of anxiety

I'm stuck in this world,

crying quietly

Go ahead, world,

go on, doubt me

Pull me down, knock

me out, capsize me

b*tch, I'm a fighter

Not a quitter,

so don't try me

And right now it's time

to prove my brief

I'ma smash you deep

you better watch me

Cold, dark, hungry,

bloody, thirsty

Break a dirty money,

ain't no shame in my game

I'm built on

shattered hopes

Crying why me?

Why me?

Why only me?

That's a joke, all I ever

wanted was redemption

The ring is my temple,

the bags my liberation

For this hunger

to consecrate

Elevate, consummate

How many punches

am I willing to take

to awaken my

indomitable soul?

Indomitable soul

Am I the fighter

or the reason to brawl?

Am I a warrior

or the cause for the w*r?

Damn, in, out

I hear it yelling,

damn, in, out

Healin' up inside of me,

lot of the city riotin'

In a little fear in my soul,

start corner mockin' me

Damn, in, out

I hear it yelling,

damn, in, out

Am I the victim

or am I the cause?

We'll find out

when I beat the odds

That goes with my mind,

they ask you why me?

I'm a lost soul,

I couldn't find me

Walkin' through

the fire for society

Feelin' like a f*ck' roller

coaster ride of anxiety

Stuck in this world,

cryin' quietly

Go ahead, world,

go on, doubt me

Pull me down,

knock me out, capsize me

b*tch, I'm a fighter

Not a quitter,

so don't try me

And right now,

it's time to prove my brief

I'ma smash you deep,

you better watch me

(Watch me)