The Rukus chronicles one man’s attempt to attain his lifelong dream of becoming a UFC fighter and documents the shattering consequences of achieving his wish. The UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) is the self-acclaimed “most violent sport in the world,” and Brandon “The Rukus” Thatch is among the tiny percentage of childhood fans who actually have the skill, drive, and luck required to succeed in this sport. He is tall, young, handsome, chiseled, at the top of his game with an 11-fight winning streak, but he is completely lost when he’s not fighting.
 
This isn't Rocky. It's a subversive take on the classic fighter film. Rather than getting lost in the tropes of “trying to win the big game” and “good guys vs bad guys,” The Rukus dives into the gray zones. Sometimes Brandon is an admirable sportsman, kneeling out of respect for his injured opponent after a big win. Other times he's lost, confused, and drowning out his thoughts with booze.

We follow Brandon as he learns who he is. We watch as Brandon falls from the top of his game, struggling with injury, losing his first major fight, and eventually losing his UFC contract. This presents him with a choice: keep up the tough guy facade and continue to identify as a fighter, or do the uncomfortable, unglamorous work of self-reflection and growing up.