Title Shot: Into the Shark Tank of Mixed Martial Arts (Paperback)

~ Kelly Crigger (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In 2007, Army Officer Kelly Crigger embarked on a year-long journey into the shark tank of mixed martial arts competition. His quest was two-fold-to learn what drove fighters to put themselves through years of grueling training and into the cage, and to uncover the mainstream media's reason for focusing on the seedier side of the sport and its athletes. To dig for answers, he lived in five of the top MMA training camps in the United States, hung out at the toughest tournaments the sport had to offer, and spent time with the biggest names in the sport, including UFC President Dana White. Title Shot divulges the truths and personal stories he unearthed. Laced with sarcasm, humor and a touch of daredevil bravado, Crigger sheds a never-before-seen light on a misunderstood sport and its combatants. Whether you're a hardcore MMA junkie or a casual fan, Title Shot will have you hanging on the edge of your seat.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Victory Belt Publishing (July 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 098150440X
• ISBN-13: 978-0981504407
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #44,068 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, a true depiction of MMA, July 23, 2008

By	AlabasterDisaster (Los Angeles, California) - See all my reviews

Author Kelly Crigger does a phenomenal job of depicting these athletes candidly and in their own environment. He captures the indomitable spirit it takes to compete in MMA, but also the manages to convey the various personalities of the fighters he meets. It is obvious Crigger is a fan of the sport but he doesn't get all starry-eyed and fanboyish about the MMA stars he comes across. Title Shot is funny and insightful and a must-read for any MMA fan.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome look into the personal side of MMA, July 23, 2008

By	G. Sierra (Fort Stewart, GA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"Title Shot" is the rare book that combines the author's unique blend of humor and passion for MMA to deliver equally to the hardcore fans and the novice learning about the sport. Crigger wanted an inside look to see what makes MMA tick, so he devoted a year to gaining the answers. He traveled to five separate camps, the IFL Finals, the Modern Army Combatives Tournament and UFC 78. Each time he hung out with the fighters and trainers, even getting a two-hour interview with UFC President Dana White. Throughout the book, Crigger blends just enough history on the sport to educate the novice without overwhelming the expert. But the most unique facet of this book is his insight into the personal side of the sport. He spent his time in the camps really getting to know the fighters and what drives them. This insight, coupled with some of the funniest sarcasm I've ever read, makes "Title Shot" a superb read.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Irreverent Portrayal of MMA World .. With Some Flaws , August 20, 2008

By	Kevin Quinley "GeezerJock" (Fairfax, VA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Ex-Army Ranger Kelly Crigger produces an entertaining inside look at the growing world of MMA. MMA fans will likely find this book a delight. His approach is to visit and write about the top MMA training venues around the country, with some side trips to the US Army Combatives tournament, the IFL and UFC 79.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and have only three criticisms, two quibbling, one more substantive.

First, the omission of Miletich Fighting Systems in Bettendorf, IA is huge. So many elite fighters come from there, it's astonishing that one can tour the top training venues and skip over Bettendorf. It's like writing about Olympic highlights from Beijing and not mentioning Michael Phelps.

Second, in the effort to be funny, Crigger over-uses some humor conventions. Someone is "as grim as an IRS agent on April 15th." He was out of it like a ... And on and on and on. Nearly every page has one of these would-be witticisms. Some are amusing but after a while it gets tiresome and repetitive, repetitive, repeti - oh, well, you get the idea.

Third, at times Crigger - the ex Army guy - feels obliged to explain in asides how various ,members of the training dojo correspond to the hierarchy of the US Army. Ok, so...? Why should the reader care? He is shoehorning his Army experience into the book in a way that does nothing to add to the story.

Don't get me wrong, though. This is a fun book and Crigger takes at once a respectful yet puckish approach to the world of MMA. He takes the sport seriously but not too seriously.

Even with these reservations, I WOULD recommend "Title Shot"!!