American Warrior (2024) Movie Script
1
[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 killer?
Fuck, man, what was it?
Unpaid parking tickets?
I mean, shit.
-You just need to make sure
these bathrooms are clean.
They get dirty quick.
-Whatever you say, killer.
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 fucking money,
-now!
-No, no, no.
Maybe--maybe you could
take it down the street
or something and cash it.
-Give my fucking 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 fuck off me.
Fuck 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!
Ho ho!
-[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 shit.
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 killed 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 kill 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 fucking 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
Bitch, 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 fucking 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
Bitch, 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 war?
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 fuckin' 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
Bitch, 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)
[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 killer?
Fuck, man, what was it?
Unpaid parking tickets?
I mean, shit.
-You just need to make sure
these bathrooms are clean.
They get dirty quick.
-Whatever you say, killer.
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 fucking money,
-now!
-No, no, no.
Maybe--maybe you could
take it down the street
or something and cash it.
-Give my fucking 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 fuck off me.
Fuck 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!
Ho ho!
-[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 shit.
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 killed 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 kill 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 fucking 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
Bitch, 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 fucking 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
Bitch, 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 war?
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 fuckin' 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
Bitch, 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)