# Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown

Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown (also known as The Fighters 2: The Beatdown in some markets), is a 2011 American martial arts film, directed by Michael Jai White from a script written by Chris Hauty. It is a sequel to Never Back Down (2008), and the second installment in the film series of the same name; the film stars Evan Peters, Michael Jai White, Dean Geyer, Alex Meraz, Todd Duffee, Scott Epstein and Jillian Murray.The film made its world premiere at the ActionFest film festival in Asheville, North Carolina, on April 8, 2011, and was released on DVD on September 13, from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. The film marks White's directorial debut.

## Plot

Max Cooperman is in charge of another upcoming fight at the underground event "The Beatdown", and four fighters are training in a vacant lot under very-experienced martial artist Case Walker: Zack Gomes, who recently quit boxing after sustaining a partially detached retina from a match; skilled MMA fighter Tim Newhouse, whose family is in debt following the death of his father; Mike Stokes, a champion wrestler part of his college's team who is dealing with issues of his father leaving his mother for another man; and Justin Epstein, a comic book store clerk who is the frequent target of bullying. Max offers Case the chance to make some money and at the same time, help him promote the Beatdown. A few weeks into training, the four trainees argue over their reasons for training and deserving to be there more, the worst of it being Justin and Zack hurting each other physically, leaving them to settle it themselves. Later on, Case is harassed by police officers, who threaten him for violating his probation. Because of this, the team builds a new gym where they can train and hold the Beatdown tournament.
Danger strikes when Justin snaps from constant bullying, goes rogue and decides to not only attack his personal enemies but also the group itself by framing their mentor and setting him up to go to jail. The rest of the group, in revenge, band together and take on Justin at the Beatdown. With each facing their own trials to reach the final match, it comes down to only one of them versus their own. Mike defeats Zack, while Justin injures Tim in the restroom, thus eliminating him from the tournament. In the tournament finals, Mike engages Justin in a grueling fight until he wins by breaking Justin's right shoulder via an Omoplata submission hold. Justin attempts to retaliate by jumping Mike from behind, but Mike counters with a superman punch to the face. As Mike celebrates his win, he finally calls his father and ask him to go out to dinner because they have a lot to talk about. Case gets a call from "Big" John McCarthy and confirms his return to MMA.

## Cast

* Dean Geyer as Mike "Wrestler Kid" Stokes
* Alex Meraz as Zack "Smoke and Thunder" Gomes
* Michael Jai White as Casey "Case" Walker Jr.
* Jillian Murray as Eve
* Scott Epstein as Justin Epstein
* Evan Peters as Max Cooperman
* Todd Duffee as Tim Newhouse
* Laura Cayouette as Vale
* Lyoto Machida as Himself
* "Big" John McCarthy as Himself
* Eddie Bravo as D.J. Bravo

## Production

Filming started in September 2010 and finished in November in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

## Soundtrack

* Rular Rah – "It's Supposed to Happen"
* Rular Rah – "The Freshest"
* Joe Jackson feat. Skratch Music – "Super Star"
* Stephen R. Phillips & Tim P. – "Lick My Plate"
* Tucker Jameson & The Hot Mugs – "Train Tracks"
* Rick Balentine – "1st Attack of the Marms"
* Willknots – "Perfect Day"
* Startisan – "Just"
* For The Taking – "Time Is Running Out"
* Justyna Kelley – "Fall Into You"
* Stereo Black – "Inside"
* Metaphor the Great & Jonathan Jackson – "Doo Doo Butt"
* Kritical – "Are You Ready for This"
* Pre-Fight Hype – "It's Goin Down"
* Robert Fortune – "Cadillac"
* The Resistors – "UTA"
* For The Taking – "Takedown"
* Rular Rah – "Only If You Knew"
* Compella and The Twister – "Are You Ready"
* Cody B. Ware – "#33 Forever"
* Tucker Jameson & The Hot Mugs – "Last Train Home"
* Compella and The Twister – "Dropped"

### Notes

* A ^"#33 Forever" by Cody B. Ware is mistitled as "Are You Ready" in the DVD credits.

## Home media

The film was released on DVD on September 13, 2011, from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

## Sequel

A sequel titled Never Back Down: No Surrender, was released on June 7, 2016. It began filming in Thailand again under the direction of White, who also reprises his role as Case Walker. The film also stars Esai Morales, MMA fighter Josh Barnett, Tony Jaa, former professional wrestler Nathan Jones and Gillian Waters.