Mixed martial artists are intense and ferocious beasts. Or so you would think by watching them in the cage. While these barbaric qualities may be true for many fighters, it is impossible to deny the fact that mixed martial artists are equally intelligent as they are violent. While literature is not typically equated with the MMA lifestyle, several fighters and fight fans have written exceptional works about the sport of mixed martial arts and the people that make up its foundation.
If you're in the mood to read a book about MMA, whether its history as a whole or some good memoirs with behind the scenes stuff, this article provides recommendations for some of the best MMA books available.
For mental fitness, it is highly recommended that the fighters should read books that help understand the complexity of MMA. Here is a list of some of the top books about the sport of mixed martial arts:
Must-Read MMA Books
Honorable Mentions
- Blood in the Cage by L. Jon Wertheim
- Iceman: My Fighting Life by Chuck Liddell and Chad Millman
Got Fight? by Forrest Griffin
Forrest Griffin's first book, Got Fight? proves that his in-cage persona is, "as real as it gets." Griffin writes exactly as he fights: There is nothing technical or flashy about his style, but dammit if you don't want to keep watching (or, in this case, reading). Got Fight? details how Griffin started his career as a mixed martial artist and also contains some absolutely hilarious anecdotes from close friends and training partners that are sure to keep you flipping the pages with eager anticipation for what lies ahead.
With Got Fight?, Griffin proved that the "working man" mentality is equally effective in literature as it is in the Octagon.
Read also: Evolution of UFC Combat
Becoming the Natural by Randy Couture
A total 180 from Forrest Griffin's writing debut, Becoming the Natural tells a sobering, oftentimes heart-wrenching, tale of Randy Couture's ascent to mixed martial arts stardom. Couture wears his heart on his sleeve in this book, and the result is an intimate read that covers every aspect of "Captain America's" oftentimes flawed life. Like he is in the cage, though, Couture is impossible not to like throughout the novel, a true testament to his honesty and hard-working attitude that we all aspire to achieve. Frankly, Couture is the man, and this book serves to bolster his already historic legacy as a fighter and as a human being.
Why I Fight by B.J. Penn
B.J. Penn is arguably the most gifted mixed martial artist to ever step foot in the Octagon. From earning his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt in record time to knocking out legends like Sean Sherk and Matt Hughes, "The Prodigy's" accomplishments as a fighter are simply remarkable. Why I Fight serves as another well deserved notch in his already crowded belt. The book tells the tale of Penn's life growing up as a scrappy kid in Hilo, Hawaii who eventually found success and worldwide recognition inside the UFC Octagon.
By detailing his life with such precision, Penn is able to give readers a deeper look inside "The Prodigy" and allow us to better understand him as both a person and as a world-class fighter.
The Cauliflower Chronicles by Marshal D. Carper
The first book on my list that was not written by a UFC superstar, The Cauliflower Chronicles tells the astounding and gripping tale of Marshal D. Carper, an aspiring grappler and author. Carper, who hails from a small town in Pennsylvania, seized the opportunity of a lifetime after breaking up with his longtime girlfriend and moved to Hilo, Hawaii, where he trained twice a day at the B.J. Penn Academy. The Cauliflower Chronicles details every aspect of this journey with a passionate honesty rarely found in the "macho man" community of mixed martial arts.
Carper tells of his hardships both on the mat and in everyday island life, and the result is a riveting tale that sheds light on both Hawaiian culture and the young grappler's growth as a human being. With expert writing and keen observations and analysis found in the book, The Cauliflower Chronicles is an absolute must-read for MMA fans.
Read also: Mastering BJJ Submissions
The MMA Encyclopedia & Total MMA: Inside Ultimate Fighting by Jonathan Snowden
Fellow Bleacher Report writer Jonathan Snowden wrote the book on MMA literature. Literally. His two novels, The MMA Encyclopedia and Total MMA; Inside Ultimate Fighting are as thorough and detailed a look at the sport of mixed martial arts as anyone could want. The books are huge volumes containing a rich pot of facts and information about the sport of MMA, and even the most hardcore fans will learn something by reading either (or both) of Snowden's literary endeavors. It is difficult to understate how complete these novels are; you just have to read it to believe it.
Beyond these specific recommendations, here are some additional books that might interest MMA enthusiasts:
- "The Art of Fighting: Street Fighting Methods & Techniques" by Sammy Franco - This book combines MMA techniques with street self-defense techniques.
- MMA Training: The Ultimate Beginners Guide to Mixed Martial Arts is one of the latest modern books for young generation MMA fighters. This book is a crash course for learning MMA.
- The Mixed Martial Arts: The Book of Knowledge, features fighting styles in different niches. It demonstrates the way of strikes, grapples, submissions, and takedowns. The book explains in detail how to control the opponent by noticing their movements and finding their weak spots.
This book is modern MMA book that teaches really mind-blowing mixed martial art fighting techniques that are performed and demonstrated by professionals from all over the world. It has amazing fighting skills and moves which are important in various situations during a fight. This book is one of the best guides and manual for a modern-day fighter.
If a person needs to look like an MMA fighter having a physique like one or wants to lose fat and needs to have proper diet plan without the help of a nutrient. This book is the answer for all. All of these goals are achievable as they do require a lot of hard work but it is a hard word that guarantees a payoff. This book has various exercises that will force the person to work out as hard as an MMA fighter which will ultimately result in a beautiful physique.
MMA is one of the fastest growing sports in the world, and this book is the best, to begin with. The book follows on one of the very famous sayings “To be a warrior, you must train like a warrior”. This book has a lot of key points that resulted in big wins for MMA fighters who became World champions. This book is filled with demonstrated photos that teach how to perform a move perfectly and precisely. This book teaches how to execute moves, takedowns, submissions, and grapples while targeting several areas of the body. One of the key features of this book is that is also grooms mentality of the reader while fighting.
Read also: Middleweight Boxing Legends
It is believed that MMA is purely a physical sport, whereas, it is not. A lot of mental fitness is required in order to compete in this sport. The mental fight is as important as the physical fight in this competition. All the martial artists who became legendary in this sport learned well that to win in this fight a fighter has to be really intelligent and a quick thinker. For this reason, not only there should be the physical training but also there needs to be a mental training to keep body and mind sharp.
To supplement your reading, consider exploring MMA-related media such as YouTube channels and podcasts. Mixed Molly Whoppery is a great MMA YouTube channel. For old school UFC fans, TruFan is a good podcast. Jaxxon, Rampage's podcast is also interesting. Stone Cold Steve Austin has a great podcast as well.