A Michael Jai White action sequel will soon no longer be available for streaming on Netflix. Focusing on mixed martial arts (MMA) and co-starring Evan Peters, the movie received a direct-to-video release unlike its predecessor.
This Michael Jai White sequel will disappear from Netflix soon
Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown will be delisted from Netflix starting July 1, 2026 (via What’s on Netflix).
The second film in the Never Back Down series, it serves as the sequel to 2008’s Never Back Down. Marking Michael Jai White’s directorial debut, it first dropped at ActionFest on April 8, 2011, before releasing directly on DVD several months later on September 13. Moreover, it spawned two follow-ups that also went straight to DVD: Never Back Down: No Surrender (2016), again directed by White, and Never Back Down: Revolt (2021).
It seems audiences weren’t too fond of Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown, with its mediocre 50% score on Rotten Tomatoes reflecting this. In the story, Max Cooperman, who played a key role in the original movie, works on organizing The Beatdown, a secret MMA tournament.
Joining forces with his mentor, retired professional UFC athlete Casey “Case” Walker Jr, the pair recruits four amateur fighters for the event. They include talented wrestler Mike Stokes, former boxer Zack Gomes, a talented but novice martial arts fighter Tim Newhouse, and record store clerk Justin Epstein, who faces frequent bullying.
The group grows close while training, learning important lessons from Walker while also appreciating the work they are doing. However, law enforcement charges Walker with violating his probation, complicating the team’s progress. Realizing that a traitor is among them, the pair work to root them out, while Mike resolves to work hard to win the competition.
In addition to directing, White stars as Walker. Meanwhile, Chris Hauty wrote the screenplay, while Evan Peters reprises his role of Cooperman from the first film. Also appearing in key roles are Dean Geyer, Alex Meraz, Todd Duffee, Scottie Epstein, and Jillian Murray, among others.
Originally reported by Abdul Azim Naushad on ComingSoon.
