Beast : Blood, Struggle, and Dreams at the Heart of Mixed Martial Arts

Mixed martial arts is America's fastest-growing sport-around the country, new gyms open their doors as enthusiastic viewers tune in to UFC matches. Although some dismiss it as brutal combat, its fighters are among the most dedicated athletes in any arena. But MMA also takes a heavy toll on the body, and it's a rare fighter who can earn a living in the sport's top ranks. Beast follows four high-level fighters at one of the sport's elite gyms, Florida's American Top Team. Doug Merlino had unprecedented access, training alongside the men for two years, traveling to their matches, and eating in their homes. Mirsad Bektic, a young Bosnian refugee who started in karate as a boy in Nebraska, dreams of stardom. Jeff Monson, a battered veteran at forty-one, is an outspoken, tattooed anarchist enjoying a bizarre burst of celebrity in Russia. Steve Mocco is a newcomer-a former Olympic wrestler from a close-knit, intellectual family... Mixed martial arts is America's fastest-growing sport—around the country, new gyms open their doors and enthusiastic viewers tune in to UFC matches. Although some dismiss it as brutal combat, its fighters are among the most dedicated athletes in any arena. But MMA also takes a heavy toll on the body, and it's a rare fighter who can earn a living in the sport's top ranks. Beast follows four high-level fighters at one of the sport's elite gyms, Florida's American Top Team. Doug Merlino had unprecedented access, training alongside the men for two years, traveling to their matches, and eating in their homes. Mirsad Bektic, a young Bosnian refugee who started in karate as a boy in Nebraska, dreams of stardom. Jeff Monson, a battered veteran at forty-one, is an outspoken, tattooed anarchist enjoying a bizarre burst of celebrity in Russia. Steve Mocco is a newcomer—a former Olympic wrestler from a close-knit intellectual family. Finally there's Daniel Straus, who, from a life short on opportunity, fights his way up to title contention. All will experience electrifying highs and career lows, and Merlino takes us along every step of the way while also examining the culture and meaning of professional cage fighting. A book for both the uninitiated and the hard-core fan, Beast offers a fascinating journey into an often misunderstood world. Preface Prologue: Kearney pt. 1. New starts The anarchist next door The bear goes south As long as I don't get my face broken pt. 2. Grind Monday I don't want to be in an exclusive club My motivation was to kill everybody Potluck The psycho switch pt. 3. Fight season You gotta run your mouth a little bit Just one more A mauling in Vegas Lincoln Hercules pt. 4. Roots An uncanny Eastern rite There are no rules The snowman ATT pt. 5. Rising up and coming down Heroes and villains Believe Spasibo One step back pt. 6. Sport, art, business, spectacle Do you wanna be a fighter? Beast Life is standing there to kick you in the face pt. 7. Pushing on Head down I finish You are playing in my world pt. 8. Endings Edmonton Peoria Cincinnati Kazakhstan Orlando. The first book to bring readers deep inside a top mixed martial arts gym, Beast shows exactly what it takes to reach the top of this exacting sport. Doug Merlino spent two years at Florida's American Top Team, living, eating, and training alongside some of the world's best fighters, and traveled with them to fights around the world. The result is the most unvarnished look at the sport yet, with its electrifying highs and devastating lows. For both the uninitiated and for hardcore fans, Beast offers an intense journey into an often misunderstood world. Doug Merlino takes us from the cage to the training gyms to the fighters' living rooms in a character-driven examination of the world's fastest-growing sport: mixed martial arts.