The book every martial arts fan has been waiting for, No Holds Barred tells the story of the phenomenal rise of Ultimate Fighting', the mixed combat competition that has been labelled 'the most dangerous sport in the world' and 'human cockfighting'. Its aim is simple: to find the best fighter, from whatever discipline, on the planet. Journalist Clyde Gentry has conducted more than 80 interviews to piece together the sport's origins in Brazil, its spread around the world, the political battles, vilification and banning orders, and the stories of the sport's stars.'
I actually bought this to use for a research paper I was doing in college last year. It proved very helpful and one of the few reliable written sources I could find regarding MMA and specifically the UFC. Got an A in that class so I give this book 5 stars.
Great book!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
I can't tellyou how good a book this was to read. If you want to learn how MMA and, in particular, the UFC started and grew, this is for you. Warning: if you have no interest in MMA before season 1 of TUF, stay away.
Homerun
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 20 years ago
Book was great in capturing the colorful, carny conception, and the bailing wire way the mma craze started in the US. Really just a history of the UFC, but great anecdotes and behind the scenes factual gems.
Excellent read!! SO much you didn't know about the sport!!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 20 years ago
Clyde does a fantastic job with No Holds Barred. I bought the newer edition in paperback and it has been an excellent read. He hold no punches in exposing all levels of the sport including behind the scenes politics, rivalries, challenges to traditional martial arts, and potentially "worked" matches in the sport as few as they are. My only criticism is he was very in depth up until UFC Japan and then rushed through after that covering 20 or so UFC's in 15 pages or less. More behind the scenes about Pride would also be good. He might consider breaking into 2 Volumes at his next publishing to help with this... All in all well done though Clyde. And this is coming from on of the forefathers in MMA information as I ran the very first Gracie Jiu-Jitsu training association website in 1995!! Thanks for an enlightening read...
Well researched
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 21 years ago
It's a shame this book is out of print as it is well researchs and contained a great aggregation of facts of the early days of NHB. As a long time fan of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, I thought I knew everything there was to know about the subject. I was humbled in my knowledge as Clyde's behind the scenes knowledge rapidly broadened my perspective. Well done, and get this back in print!
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