Ignoring Rocky's advice, Adonis accepts the challenge without Rocky and wins the fight only by a technicality, leaving him injured and disheartened. Unable to return to boxing, his title and spirit are at risk. Adonis' family and Rocky must help him regain his fighting spirit to confront his future choices. Meanwhile, the Drago family faces their own struggles to restore their lost respect in their homeland after their defeat by Rocky, questioning if it's worth it.
Three years after losing to "Pretty" Ricky Conlan, Adonis Creed wins multiple fights and ultimately defeats Danny "Stuntman" Wheeler (Andre Ward) to claim the WBC World Heavyweight Championship. Now famous, Adonis proposes to his girlfriend, Bianca Taylor, who accepts. Bianca suggests moving to Los Angeles, but Adonis hesitates to leave Philadelphia.
Meanwhile, Ivan Drago, a former Soviet boxer who killed Adonis' father Apollo thirty-three years ago, sees a chance to reclaim his lost glory by challenging Adonis through his son, Viktor Drago, with help from promoter Buddy Marcelle. When Rocky declines to back Adonis in facing Viktor, Adonis feels betrayed and decides to go to Los Angeles.
Adonis Creed, now the heavyweight champion, has just proposed to Bianca, but his life takes a turn when Ivan Drago arrives in America with his son to challenge him and avenge the loss to Rocky Balboa from 30 years prior. As heavyweight champion, Adonis accepts a title defense against Viktor Drago, the son of Ivan Drago, who killed Apollo Creed. Ivan is determined to win back the championship belt, and Viktor is a formidable opponent, leaving Adonis with slim chances of victory.