The 10 Best MMA Autobiography books

When it comes to MMA, there are plenty of fighters and characters that have graced the cage. There are also quite a few autobiographies out there but obviously, some are much better than the others. Here, we’ve picked the top 10 MMA autobiographies from various fighters. Some of these fighters are some of the best around, whilst others aren’t. Having said this, these books all have one thing in common – they’re great reads and can’t be put down. From bizarre stories and funny anecdotes to survival stories and dark scenarios, these books will definitely change the way you look at these fighters.

It’s easy to look at MMA fighters as warriors or how they appear in the media. In reality, they’re all human beings and have their own stories to tell. So, if you want a deeper insight into the fighter’s lifestyle then these are the best books to consider.

The Way Of The Fight by Georges St Pierre

Georges St Pierre is definitely one of the greatest MMA fighters ever and is also one of the most humble and likable fighters too. In short, he’s a true martial artist and isn’t just an aggressive knucklehead, unlike certain other fighters. Because of this, he lives a fulfilling and happy life outside of the cage.

Basically, this is a really inspiring story and documents his rise to the top where he worked incredibly hard. Here, he juggled jobs as a binman whilst training as much as possible, sometimes with a 17-hour commute from Canada to the US in between. A true heroes story, The Way Of The Fight gives an insight into the mind of a champion and real martial artist.

My Fight, Your Fight by Ronda Rousey

Undoubtedly, Ronda Rousey has had a strained relationship with the media and as a result, some people view her as rude and full of attitude. Whilst this book isn’t a PR episode, it does show her in more of a human light which is nice to see.

Perhaps the biggest takeaway of My Fight, Your Fight is the dedication that Rousey took to be the very best. Although this dedication is obsessive to the extreme, it also serves as a realistic punch in the face for those aspiring to be great at any path in life. If you want an inspiring read which applies further than just MMA stuff, then look no further.

Breathe, A Life In Flow by Rickson Gracie

Unlike most MMA autobiographies, Rickson Gracie’s doesn’t hide anything and sometimes this can be to his detriment. For those out of the loop, the Gracie family helped pioneer MMA and bought Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to the masses. One of the main characters of the Gracie clan was Rickson, who successfully won titles in Japan.

This led to a famous documentary called ‘Choke’ which showed the Japanese MMA scene at the time and how Rickson approached his fights. Naturally, Breathe is the written version but this also looks at his personal life, such as the death of his son, his family’s traditions, and his thoughts on life. Some of the topics in Breathe are a little controversial and borders on bizarre, but it’s a pretty wild ride and is certainly unique compared to most books out there.

Quitters Never Win by Michael Bisping

When it comes to personalities in MMA, Bisping is certainly one of them. Not only was Bisping the first-ever UFC champion from Britain, but he’s also one of the most likable and charismatic. Here, he goes through his rise in the UFC and describes how he finally got his hands on the belt. As you’d expect with Bisping, this has stories about Luke Rockhold, losing his sight, and other eventful moments.

What’s interesting about Bisping is that he probably wasn’t the most talented fighter ever, but he was certainly determined and this eventually paid off towards the end of his career. In some ways, this is more of a success story compared to a champion where things came earlier. It’s also written in Bisping’s naturally funny style

How You Bear It by Tom DeBlass

Tom DeBlass is perhaps best known as a BJJ champion and black belt but also had a solid MMA career, venturing into the UFC and retiring from fighting with a solid record of 9-2. However, this book is about his life as much as it is about his career and it’s equally dark as it is inspiring. For instance, he goes into detail about his childhood sexual abuse, his father’s addiction, and his own depression as an adult.

Overall, it’s a very honest read and doesn’t sugarcoat anything. What’s nice about DeBlass is that despite this, he’s had a very successful career and adult life. Unlike some MMA autobiographies, DeBlass doesn’t try to over-sell himself either and you can tell that everything is written from the heart.

Win Or Learn by John Kavanagh

You can’t mention Conor McGregor without walking about John Kavanagh, the man who coached the Irishman to the top of the UFC. At one point, it’s fair to say that McGregor was the best fighter on the planet. Interestingly though, Kavanagh’s personality is the complete opposite of McGregor’s and he’s very humble and pleasant which comes through when reading the book.

As you’d expect, this book mentions McGregor quite a lot and offers insight into the coach’s perspective. However, it also goes into detail about Kavanagh’s childhood and entry point into martial arts, as well as helping develop the Irish MMA scene and SBG into an international powerhouse. This is very inspirational whilst also highlighting Kavanagh as one of MMA’s good guys.

Part Reptile by Dan Hardy

Dan Hardy has never been one to mince his words and Part Reptile does a good job of putting those words onto paper. Here, he describes his MMA career which features the highs and lows…and there are quite a few. This includes his title fight with GSP, Shaolin monk training, growth of UK MMA, and his eventual premature retirement due to health problems.

If you know Hardy then you’ll understand that he’s one of the more interesting characters in MMA and this is possibly reflected by the title of the book. It’s also written in true Hardy-style, so expect lots of quirky anecdotes and oddities along the way.

Got Fight by Forrest Griffin

If you’re after an MMA book that’s different, then this book is the one for you. Here, Forrest Griffin tells the story of his crazy life that is filled with bizarre goings-on and some pretty reckless behavior. It’s also uncensored so the language is R-rated so as you can imagine, this book doesn’t hold back. And if we’re being honest, that’s its charm.

Griffin’s honesty is brutal and exhilarating. Importantly, it’s also massively funny which is unusual compared to many of the MMA autobiography books out there which can be overly serious at times. Even if you’re not a huge MMA fan and don’t know much about Griffin, this book is worth a read and is certainly something different. On a final note, Griffin also has a separate book out which is based on surviving an apocalypse. Enough said.

Scars And Stripes by Tim Kennedy

When it comes to life outside of MMA, Tim Kennedy has to be up there for living a varied lifestyle. Before getting into fighting, Kennedy was a US sniper who faced the Taliban. He then did great in the UFC before going on to make million-dollar businesses. Overall, it’s unsurprisingly inspiring and if you follow Tim Kennedy then you’ll probably know this already.

However, where it gets interesting is its honesty. Although he was very successful, Kennedy also has his own failures and demons in his life. This includes getting fired from jobs and cheating on partners – so it’s fair to say that Kennedy is no saint and this is probably what makes the book worthwhile. As you may have figured, the title is very appropriate based on this.

Born To Fight by Mark Hunt

If you want the perspective of a veteran MMA fighter then Mark Hunt is one of the best fighters to look at. This is a book that shows the earlier life of Hunt where he faced a real struggle for survival, to the peak of the UFC years later. In doing this, it shows how martial arts can change the lives of troubled and disadvantaged youths and Hunt is a testament to this.

Because of this, the book is very emotional and you can feel the pain in Hunt’s words at times. Overall, it’s very raw and is still inspiring – showing how an underdog in life can succeed if they keep on grinding. This book is especially relevant for those that have suffered childhood abuse, as it shows there is a light at the end of the tunnel.