The gap between releases marked the longest period between studio albums in the band's career thus far, while the title is taken from the lyrics in opening track, "Right Where We Left Off".

[4] This marked their fourth consecutive album to debut in the top twenty on the Billboard chart, despite leaking six weeks prior to its official release.

[5] The album was released early in Australia to coincide with the band's appearance at the Soundwave Festival and it debuted at number thirty six on the ARIA Charts.

[6] Following the release, promotion and touring of Coming Home (2006), the band parted ways with major label Geffen Records in early 2007.

[7] After writing and recording several demos in the interim period, lead guitarist and composer Chad Gilbert contacted Mark Hoppus early in 2008 to discuss a possible project.

[11] Hoppus later stated that he was willing to take part in the project as he would be working with a band with a "definite sound" in mind, but who "also wanted input and guidance from someone they trusted.

"[8] The producer also commented afterward that, "We worked really hard to get great, gritty guitars, big drums, edgy bass, and Jordan is singing stronger than he ever has.

Mike Demante of the Houston Chronicle reported that, "Not Without a Fight is full of those catchy choruses and gang vocals that fans have come to love.

The album is a return to form, whilst still incorporating the indie-rock of its Geffen records' swan song, Coming Home, and last year's melodic hardcore EP Tip of the Iceberg.

"[15] Brendan Manley of Alternative Press said that, "opening track, "Right Where We Left Off," builds upon a chunky guitar riff that recalls classic NFG, yet surprises with smart, subtle rhythmic twists.

Club critic Aaron Burgess was in agreeance; "Maturity remains a guiding principle on Not Without A Fight—the band strikes a keen balance between hard-hitting, soft-hearted, youthfully exuberant, and all grown up.

"[3] Musically, Gilbert explained that unlike the harmony-driven Coming Home, the band wanted to return to a more energetic style both because of the embittered lyrics and the need to translate songs live.

Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz, already a keen admirer of the band,[2] signed them to his long running independent label Epitaph Records in September 2008, with a view to release the album in February 2009.

[29] In response to this, guitarist Chad Gilbert stated although he was disappointed, he was happy for his band's music to be heard by any means: "As far as the leaking thing.

Verse were originally supposed to support New Found Gloiry, however, they unexpectedly broke up, resulting in Shai Hulud taking their place.

[50] In between dates of the Honda Civic Tour, the band played headlining shows in smaller venues alongside Lemuria and the Wonder Years.

He said of the band that, "on Not Without a Fight, it's clear that New Found Glory still haven't lost their knack of creating an album with sing-a-long choruses and memorable guitar riffs that fans will love."

[53] Alternative Press journalist Brendan Manley also awarded a score of 3½ stars out of five and claimed, "throughout Fight, it's the guitars, fueled by drummer Cyrus Bolooki's frenetic tempos, that exude the greatest return to form.

From "47," with its near-speed-metal breakdown to the raucous "I'll Never Love Again" to the fluid, Tom DeLonge-esque guitar lines in "Truck Stop Blues," it becomes abundantly clear that guitarists Chad Gilbert and Steve Klein have rediscovered their mojo and have come to rock."

"[18] Billboard magazine were also favourable, stating, "With Blink-182/+44 bassist Mark Hoppus producing, Fight does pack a wallop, enveloping frontman Jordan Pundik's angsty relationship paeans on a dozen compact, dynamic and hooky tracks in a mere 35 minutes".

"[60] Q magazine writer Dave Everley awarded the album a "good" three out of five stars, opining that, "New Found Glory's newfound maturity makes for a palatable record that will soothe lovelorn rockers.

"[57] Rock Sound magazine were highly impressed and gave a score of nine out of ten, lauding the album as the band's best work to date.

Andrew Kelham opined that, "each song is a thick cut of pop punk played to perfection by a group of musicians who have taken a genre by the throat and defined it with their sound".

He commented that the band had, "created a rockin' pop punk album that shows just why they stand so tall above the crowd of uneventful scenesters that is the tragedy of the music scene today".

Hailing the band as the "undisputed kings of pop punk", he finalised his review by adding, "You'd be clinically insane not to give this album a go.

"[21] In his review for Rocklouder!, critic John Webber noted that "By no means is this a bad record; in fact it easily lays waste to most releases in the same vain this side of Coming Home, but when held up against such a stunning back catalogue, it is certainly not an essential purchase for any new fans.

I’m just gonna write and record punk songs, and that’s it.’ So I don’t think I pushed myself enough, and musically it was the quickest and easiest album I think we’ve ever done.