Small-town boy Shawn MacArthur comes to New York City with nothing and barely earns a living selling counterfeit goods on the streets, but his life changes when a chance encounter with scam artist Harvey Boarden -- a former street fighting coach -- sees that Shawn has a natural talent for street fighting. When Harvey offers Shawn help at making the real cash, the two form an uneasy partnership. As Shawn's manager, Harvey introduces him to the corrupt bare-knuckle circuit, where rich men bet on disposable pawns. Almost overnight, he becomes a star brawler, taking down professional boxers, mixed martial arts champs and ultimate fighters in a series of staggeringly intense bouts. But if Shawn ever hopes to escape the dark world in which he's found himself, he must now face the toughest fight of his life.