Underdog Kids

At the Mid-County Community Center, the team's current coach quits, leaving a ragtag group without leadership. Charlie, the community center leader, begins the search for a new mentor who can train the kids and keep their hopes alive.

Former mixed martial arts champion Jimmy Lee arrives and agrees to coach the kids, despite his own lingering doubts about his career. He carries the burden of a career ended by an accident three years earlier and reluctantly steps into the role to guide them.

Jimmy starts working with the kids and slowly warms to their personal struggles. Each child battles poverty, bullying, a need for approval, and parental loss, and Jimmy tailors his guidance to help them grow.

The team attends their first competition, where Jimmy encounters his childhood rival Ted Barrett, now coaching the Beverly Hills Scorpions. Ted uses his fame to influence others and undercuts Jimmy, igniting a fierce rivalry.

After the humiliating performance, Jimmy seeks a sponsor but is smeared by Ted, who manipulates the system to blacklist him from potential backers. The Underdogs face dwindling opportunities as sponsors pull away.

Old friend Big Mama steps in to sponsor the team, but Jimmy must secure it at the next competition by dressing as a hot dog to attract attention. The stunt is humiliating for the kids, but it becomes a cruel but necessary gambit for a shot at success.

With sponsorship secured, the kids learn they’ll be known as the 'Underdogs.' They’re initially unsure, but Big Mama explains Jimmy’s sacrifices to give them a chance, and the team embraces the new name.

A new member, Rasheed, joins—a quiet yet violent-prone kid whose mother wants him to learn self-discipline. Jimmy integrates Rasheed into the squad, teaching him to control his power and channel his anger.

As training intensifies, the Underdogs improve rapidly and begin winning, building toward a major tournament that will set up a showdown with the Scorpions. The team grows cohesive, balancing personal issues with disciplined practice.

Valerie teaches the Underdogs ballet to improve balance and rhythm. Meanwhile, the Scorpions discover the dance class and post footage on YouTube, inviting ridicule and fueling tension, especially around Rasheed.

Rasheed endures taunts about his speech problem and gets into fights, leading to a suspension. Jimmy visits Rasheed at home for a heartfelt talk, and they find common ground, strengthening their bond.

Jimmy leaves the team the day before the big showdown to pursue an MMA comeback and flies to Las Vegas to review a contract. He ultimately realizes the sport may no longer be his path and decides not to pursue it.

Jimmy returns in time for the showdown. The Underdogs and the Scorpions battle through one-on-one matches, ending in a tie and prompting a group kata as a tiebreaker. Ted sabotages the Underdogs by wrecking their music, but Rasheed's friends provide an a cappella beat so the team can perform the kata, earning a perfect score.

The Underdogs win with a flawless kata, and both teams show sportsmanship as they congratulate each other. Ted’s sponsor severs ties with him in disgust after witnessing his unsportsmanlike conduct, while the Scorpions acknowledge the Underdogs' triumph.