The Book
Title Shot is the journey every sports fan dreams of. After meeting professional
Mixed Martial Arts fighter BJ Penn in December 2006, I decided to learn more
about this misunderstood sport and the men who fueled it.
I wanted to understand the motivation to fight and why the athletes were portrayed so unfairly by a mass media that focused on the seedier side of their lives. I wanted to delve into the minds of the men who devoted their lives to training for that one day when they could enter the cage and slug it out with another man.
I hit the road in 2007, living in five of the top MMA training camps in the world, sitting ringside and going backstage at live fights, and hanging out at the toughest tournament the sport had to offer. I’ll tell you all about my journey, the extraordinary people I met, and tales of kickboxing, grappling, and fighting from Team Quest, Gracie Jiu Jitsu, Jackson’s MMA, Sityodtong, and American Top Team. I’ll detail the relationship between the fighter, fan, and media and tell you how promotion trumps personality. I’ll also detail something I was surprised to learn-the incredible similarity between professional fighting and the U.S. Army.
Laced with sarcasm, humor, and a touch of daredevil bravado, I’ll deliver candid one-on-one moments with some of the top names in the sport, including UFC President Dana White. Whether you’re a hardcore MMA junkie or a casual fan, Title Shot has something for everyone.
I wanted to understand the motivation to fight and why the athletes were portrayed so unfairly by a mass media that focused on the seedier side of their lives. I wanted to delve into the minds of the men who devoted their lives to training for that one day when they could enter the cage and slug it out with another man.
I hit the road in 2007, living in five of the top MMA training camps in the world, sitting ringside and going backstage at live fights, and hanging out at the toughest tournament the sport had to offer. I’ll tell you all about my journey, the extraordinary people I met, and tales of kickboxing, grappling, and fighting from Team Quest, Gracie Jiu Jitsu, Jackson’s MMA, Sityodtong, and American Top Team. I’ll detail the relationship between the fighter, fan, and media and tell you how promotion trumps personality. I’ll also detail something I was surprised to learn-the incredible similarity between professional fighting and the U.S. Army.
Laced with sarcasm, humor, and a touch of daredevil bravado, I’ll deliver candid one-on-one moments with some of the top names in the sport, including UFC President Dana White. Whether you’re a hardcore MMA junkie or a casual fan, Title Shot has something for everyone.
Copyright © 2008 Kelly Crigger. All Rights Reserved.