The Laws of the Ring [Hardcover]

Urijah Faber (Author), Tim Keown (Author)

Book Description

Release date: May 22, 2012

“The California Kid,” Mixed Martial Arts pioneer and former featherweight champ in World Extreme Cagefighting, Urijah Faber offers an unconventional and enlightening guide to mental dominance and personal success. The Laws of the Ring combines the wisdom of Robert Greene’s The 48 Laws of Power, the Eastern philosophy of the Sun Tzu classic The Art of War, and the humor of Got Fight? by Ultimate Fighting champion Forrest Griffin. The Laws of the Ring is, at once, a celebration of physical and mental toughness, a serious reflection on success and failure, a colorful account of Faber’s rise to greatness, and a fascinating look at life inside the cage.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“An absolute tour de force . . . it won’t just change the way you think about Faber. It will change the way you think about how you’re living your own life.” (Bleacher Report )

From the Back Cover

What's your passion?

For Urijah "The California Kid" Faber, fighting is not just a thrill but an act of self-expression. From his first fight in the outlaw MMA days of 2003, Urijah recognized his passion for the sport—and since then the former WEC World Featherweight Champion, now fighting as a top bantamweight in the UFC, has been living his dream. As one of the most exciting, charismatic fighters today, with a loyal following in the MMA community, Urijah is well known for his inventive fight style, cutting-edge approach to fitness, and California swag.

In The Laws of the Ring, Urijah relates the full story of how he has made a career out of a highly demanding sport. Even outside the ring, his passion for fighting has motivated him to do so much more—to open his own fitness center, create a sports clothing line, lead a fight team, and recently to coach up-and-coming fighters in the television show The Ultimate Fighter. But even the California Kid couldn't do it all without constant hard work, healthy habits, and a whole lot of positive thinking. With his thirty-six "Laws of Power," Urijah shares the life lessons he's learned along his unconventional path, drawing from personal experience to give readers a sense of life inside the ring—and show how to take those lessons into their own worlds.

Part manifesto for success, personal journey, and meditation on a well-lived life, The Laws of the Ring is filled with funny, provocative, and inspirational stories for a colorful glimpse into the rise of a young superstar, and the philosophy behind his accomplishments. With clear-eyed perspective and down-to-earth advice, Urijah zeroes in on getting the life you want—and living it to the fullest.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow; 1st Edition, 1st Printing edition (May 22, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062112406
• ISBN-13: 978-0062112408
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #134,736 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #20 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Individual Sports > Mixed Martial Arts
  • #69 in Books > Business & Investing > Industries & Professions > Sports & Entertainment

More About the Author

Urijah "The California Kid" Faber is one of the most popular MMA fighters in the world. A current star of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and former featherweight champ of World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC). Faber is also the face of Pepsi's AMP energy drink and cofounder of Form Athletics, which he and partner Mark Miller sold to K-Swiss in 2010. Still primarily responsible for building the brand, Faber has expanded the roster of sponsored fighters to include MMA phenoms Mark Munoz, Joseph Benavidez, and UFC light heavyweight champ Jon "Bones" Jones. A graduate of the University of California-Davis with a degree in Human Development, Faber is the leader of Team Alpha Male, which fights out of Sacramento, California, his hometown.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Far more than I expected. Awesome! June 11, 2012

By Victoria Nolan

Format:Hardcover

As a long-time Urijah Faber fan, I picked up this book thinking it was an autobiography. From the minute I started reading, I knew this book was special. It's truly a book with laws for living--one of the best I've read in a long time. It's easy to relate to, no matter what your sex or occupation. If you've ever had challenges in your life, this is a must read. I started reading the book while standing in the autograph line at the bookstore. In minutes, I had my pen out and I was starring this and underlining that. I'm confident you cannot read this book without re-examining the way you live your life. Urijah Faber is quite a motivator.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read! May 28, 2012

By Virg Dog

Format:Hardcover

Great read! Loved reading about the experiences and perspectives of Urijah who seems to be an awesome guy and much more of an intelectual than I would have Bravo to the Cali Kid..

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars "Don't Hate Me Because I'm Pretty!" August 7, 2012

By Kevin Quinley VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

By now, it has become almost standard for mixed martial artists at the top of their game to pen a book. The bookshelves start to groan under the weight of first-person autobiographies by the likes of B.J. Penn, Matt Hughes, Brock Lesnar, Randy Couture, Jens Pulver, Brian Stann and others.

Add to that list "The Laws of the Ring" by Urijah Faber, a/k/a "The California Kid." Having read most all of the MMA autobiographies available, I can say that Faber's book stands out. Faber offers more than the conventional "I fought this guy, then I fought that guy" type of narrative. He does mention some of the fights in his career, particularly the two fights against Mike Brown and against Dominick Cruz. Those hoping for a blow-by-blow chronicle of Urijah Faber's rise through the ranks of mixed martial arts will be disappointed. For example, you will learn very little about his bout with Jose Aldo, other than the fact that his leg took a beating from Aldo's repeated kicks.

Instead, Faber positions this as both an MMA sports chronicle and a self-help motivational book. Each chapter offers an exposition on 36 different "laws of power." Faber is a charismatic character whose career rise within the sport models the mainstream evolution of the UFC and mixed martial arts. He is blessed with good looks. Men want to be like him. Women want to be with him, or perhaps even take him home as a pet. The pretty boy moniker has been both a blessing and a curse for Faber, tempting some to interpret or misinterpret his persona as soft. Here he is, a college educated kid, intelligent, from a middle-class family who is fighting some rather hardened characters. Although he may have an angelic mien, Faber has the heart of a warrior and makes it clear that he can kick ass....

Recently, however, Faber's charisma has exceeded his success in the ring. He is a steady draw and his style of fighting is exciting. He's also extremely tough, since in some of his bouts he has broken both of his hands and has continued gamely fighting on against very tough odds. For those looking for a book on MMA, "The Laws of the Ring" will not disappoint. However, you do not need to be an MMA fan, a sports fan or Urijah Faber fan in order to enjoy this book. It has success lessons within it that Faber has learned through his blood, sweat and tears experiences in the WEC and later the UFC. His approach is positive and upbeat.

So, "The Laws of the Ring" is packed with considerably more substance than one finds in the typical MMA memoir. Faber is no meathead. Early in his career, he was looking beyond his limited tenure in mixed martial arts and taking steps to secure himself financially. This came through apparel deals, endorsements, real estate investments, opening up gyms, etc. His Team Alpha Male has been fabulously successful and has spawned many top ranked mixed martial artists.

One can easily see Faber transitioning successfully from the Octagon to the broadcast booth. He is telegenic, with a Kirk Douglas-like chin dimple. He is articulate, intelligent and burns with a passion to excel in whatever endeavor he chooses. (True confession: My wife and I met Faber during an appearance he made in the Washington DC area in the spring of 2011 and found him to be a very friendly and gracious person.) It is difficult not to like and admire Uriah Faber.

So, I heartily recommend "The Laws of the Ring" both for MMA fans and for fans of life success! Read more ›

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Let me be the first...on here anyway May 27, 2012

By CyanideCandy

Format:Hardcover

This is awesome! READ! you do not have to even like MMA to get something out of this book! It motivates you. Enough said :)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Laws Of The Ring July 3, 2012

By chino

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Book is awesome and real motivational and inspiring. If u love mma I suggest u get this book. It will change ur life.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Something for everyone! July 2, 2012

By Phil Campeau

Format:Hardcover

This isn't a book about fighting. It's not even really about MMA. This is an inspirational book that aims to motivate and drive its readers to accomplish their goals, whatever they may be. I enjoyed it, and have recommended it to friends and family!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars TKO of MMA Books June 29, 2012

By Chris Atoms

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Amazing and Life changing book by Urijah!! I purchased and read Urijah's book, as a fan of his style and class in & out of the Ring... I was pleasantly surprised by a great read; Filled with a perfect combo of Autobiography, Compelling stories w/lessons, and Psychology. All while integrating his Philosophy of Life!! Very Inspirational!!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I liked this book June 10, 2012

By Brian

Format:Hardcover

Laws of the Ring is so much more than i anticipated when I picked it up. It teaches positivity, personal growth, and passion to be what you can be, through exciting stories from the perspective of California Kid Urijah Faber. It is very inspirational and I hope people give this book a read!