Like any other thing in life, there are great books available that can help you learn more about Mixed Martial Arts. Books always carry a wealth of knowledge and you have to stock up some for reading. Some have been written by the greatest MMA fighters that ever lived. They are a source of inspiration as you embark on your journey.
MMA is as much about stimulating your mind as it is training your body. Reading works wonders for your mental capabilities. Imagine what reading about your favorite combat sport will achieve for you. Since the sport has become a favorite of many people across the world, there is no shortage of books you can read on it.
Reading books is one great way of sharpening your skills. In a book, the details given on MMA are precise and will help you better understand this combat sport. Even in a world full of technology, the value of a good book remains undisputed. Follow this guide for the best MMA Books to purchase and get started.
Table of Contents
Types of MMA Books
There are three main types of books you need to purchase to better understand MMA.
1.Biographies
Biographies tell the real-life stories of the greatest MMA fighters the world has ever seen. They are not only a wealth of knowledge but also a great source of inspiration. Just learning about all it took for them to rise at the top will pump you full of motivation to tackle your journey.
These types of MMA books give you a complete picture of what it takes to get to the top of this martial art and be remembered as one of the greatest there ever was. Learn about the sacrifices and price they had to pay to get to that high status. Their struggles and mistakes too will teach you valuable lessons to apply in the cage and off it.
2. Technical
These types of MMA books help you delve more into martial art giving you a better understanding of every move you make while sparing or fighting professionally. There are a lot of technical moves involved as you kick and punch. These books give a detailed description of each and even come with clear to follow illustrations too.
Every fighter who aspires to have a professional career in this martial art must own at least one technical book. The book helps you learn the sport in intricate details that will assist you to develop a very precise and tough to beat technique.
3. Strength and Conditioning
With this book, you learn the different training exercises you can do while taking part in MMA. This is very important because training is part of the package. You must know which equipment is best to train to improve your body strength. These books will guide you also on how to use this equipment to achieve maximum body conditioning.
Biographies
- Win or Learn: MMA, Corner McGregor, and Me: A Trainer’s Journey
2. The Realest Guy in the Room: The Life and Times of Dan Severn
3. Uncaged: My Life as a Champion MMA Fighter
4. Ronda Rousey: The Inspirational Story of UFC Ronda Rousey
1. Win or Learn: MMA, Corner McGregor, and Me: A Trainer’s Journey
This biography tells the story of John Kavanagh from Dublin, Ireland. He decided to learn how to defend himself after being constantly bullied while growing up. The revelation came after trying to defend a woman who was being attacked and end up getting beaten too.
He grew his craft and started training other fighters back at home and promoting Martial arts in the process. He tells of how he first met MMA champion Corner McGregor as a kid who ended up at his gym. The two are solely responsible for the popularity of MMA in Ireland and across the world.
He adheres by the motto ‘Win or Learn’ and has become an MMA guru for many men and women who want to master this martial art. His gym is known to produce some of the best fighters the world has ever seen. He teaches how to overcome disappointment and be ambitious, persistent, and disciplined.
Pros
- Inspirational
- Well written
- Detailed
- Available in Kindle and Paperback
- Affordable
Cons
- Some readers don’t find it life-changing
2. The Realest Guy in the Room: The Life and Times of Dan Severn
This biography tells the story of Dan Severn from his humble beginnings in Michigan to the top of the amateur wrestling world. The book is available in both Kindle and Paperback. He is a legend who set the record as the most recruited wrestler ever.
He ventured into the world of MMA in the UFC after he wasn’t able to make it to the Olympics due to backroom dealings and injuries he has sustained. He became the most feared fighter known as ‘The Beast’.
The book gives a detailed account of his life including why he missed the 1984 Olympics to be at the top of the MMA world. The book also gives an account of his ‘beef’ with Ken Shamrock. This book is ideal for you if you have an interest in amateur wrestling, MMA, pro-wrestling.
Pros
- Well priced
- Available in Paperback and Kindle
- Inspirational
- Well researched
- A compelling read
Cons
- Not ideal for fans of Ken Shamrock
3. Uncaged: My Life as a Champion MMA Fighter
It tells the troubled story of Frank Shamrock from a very unstable upbringing to becoming the best pound or pound fighter in the world. He grew up in a tumultuous upbringing until he was taken in by Bob Shamrock who fostered hundreds of needy and neglected boys.
When Frank wasn’t able to provide for his family after foster care, he turned to a life of crime. This landed him in state prison. It was after being released that he joined Ken Shamrock in training and become the undisputed champion dominating the world of MMA for 20 years.
This book is a detailed account of all his struggles in life from childhood and even as an adult until becoming the best MMA fighter in the world. The book is available in Kindle, Hardcover, and Paperback.
Pros
- Motivating
- Available in Kindle, Hardcover, and Paperback
- Affordable
- Great read
4. Ronda Rousey: The Inspirational Story of UFC Ronda Rousey
The book is available on Kindle, paperback, and audiobook. Read about the life of this inspirational female UFC superstar from her childhood to the top of the MMA world. It contains topics on Youth and Family, Pre-UFC career, UFC career and most notable fights, and Legacy, charitable acts among others.
She is one of the most talented fighters ever in the history of the UFC and has a great story that has inspired many fighters to follow in her footsteps.
Pros
- Available on Kindle and paperback
- Available as an audiobook
- Inspirational
- Well written and narrated
- Engaging
Cons
- Too short
- Expensive
Technical
- Train like a Fighter: Get MMA Fit Without Taking a Hit
2. Footwork Wins Fights: The Footwork of Boxing, Kickboxing, Martial Arts, and MMA
3. Speed Training: For Combat, Boxing, Martial Arts, and MMA
4. Power of the Pros: Striking techniques of the Greatest, Explained
1.Train like a Fighter: Get MMA Fit Without Taking a Hit
This is a technical MMA training guide that will help you learn how to train like your favorite MMA fighters. It’s available only on Paperback. It is written by UFC champion Cat Zingano.
In the book, you get step by step instructions on the different exercises you can take part in to get in shape. These exercises are designed for full-body strength training. The book contains three 4-week training programs that have routines meant to give you the most intense workout experience.
The book also guides you on the correct equipment and protective gear to get for the different exercises. You get exercises for warming up and cooling down. She gives a detailed account of her diet too.
Pros
- Affordable
- Has training programs
- Has detailed exercises
- Available in Paperback
- Exercises for full-body training
- Guide on training equipment
- Guide for protective wear
- Details on diet
Cons
- Has a confusing print error
2. Footwork Wins Fights: The Footwork of Boxing, Kickboxing, Martial Arts, and MMA
This book gives a detailed account of the importance of good footwork while on the ring or cage. It provides you with everything you need to know to improve your footwork technique and improve your overall training. It gives you a beginner and an in-depth analysis of exemplary routines and the various strategies to employ too.
You get to learn how the best fighters in the world used this skill to win their fights and emerge as legends too. Good footwork gives you a great advantage over your opponent. It not only contains words but picture illustrations too to drive the point home. The book is available on Paperback only.
Pros
- Has picture illustrations
- Well written
- Detailed
- Highly recommended
- Ideal for all martial arts students
Cons
- Not available on Kindle
3. Speed Training: For Combat, Boxing, Martial Arts, and MMA
This book is meant to help improve your combat speed within weeks. It helps you learn to have the razor-sharp speed to apply in MMA training. It has beginner, intermediate, and pro training routines to help improve your technique immensely.
You must have incredible speed while facing an opponent which means rigorous training to attain it. It has 7 keys that will help you discover how to attain superior fighting speed. Readers also get an extra chapter on how to develop speed hampering skills as well. This is a vital skill to help you slow down your opponent.
It’s available in both Kindle and Paperback. Buying the Paperback gets you a free Kindle version.
Pros
- Free kindle for buying the paperback
- Well priced
- Informative
- Well written
- Bonus chapter
Cons
- Needs frequent reading
4. Power of the Pros: Striking techniques of the Greatest, Explained
This is an in-depth look at the striking techniques employed by the greatest fighters in the world to dominate their opponents. The book is accompanied by a 30-minute video that you can access on a specific webpage after purchasing.
The book looks into the greatest boxers, kickboxers, and MMA fighters who have utilized the law of physics and biomechanics to achieve the utmost power in combat sports. The writing format is very formal and clearly explains everything you need to know. It contains numerous drills and examples for each technique discussed on it.
The book is available on kindle and paperback.
Pros
- Good moves breakdown
- Affordable
- On Kindle and paperback
- Well written
- Clear explanations
- Informative
- Useful
- Practical
Strength and Conditioning
- The Combat Sports Strength and Conditioning Manual: Minimalist Training for Maximum Results
2. MMA Strength and Conditioning: Guide to Building a Fighter
3. Fit to Fight: An Insanely Effective Strength and Conditioning Program for Ultimate MMAWarrior
4. Ultimate Conditioning for Martial Arts
1.The Combat Sports Strength and Conditioning Manual: Minimalist Training for Maximum Results
This book gives a detailed account of the most ideal strength and conditioning training for martial arts, especially MMA. There are plenty of coaches that use the wrong training that doesn’t achieve the desired results. This guide is based on scientific research and years of experience to help combat sports fighters.
There are efficient combat workouts in the book together with the correct loading schemes for strength training. You get to learn the right time and correct way to cut your weight, the best way to eat, how to train your mind for the various martial arts, among other topics.
Pros
- Good pricing
- Well written
- Available in Kindle and paperback
- Simple to follow
- Well researched and detailed
- Has pictorial illustrations
- Practical
- Covers everything
Cons
- Not available in Paperback
2. MMA Strength and Conditioning: Guide to Building a Fighter
This book is written by a former MMA fighter who is now a specialist in strength conditioning for MMA. He offers insight on how best to train to attain optimum performance while reducing the risk of injury.
The book is ideal for fighters and their coaches/trainers to better understand strength conditioning. The book contains lifts, exercises, warm-ups, and diet guide for MMA fighters who want to build and condition their bodies. This book is not for fighters only. It can be used by anyone interested in getting fit too through martial arts.
Pros
- Cheap
- Available on kindle
- Good beginners guide
- Straight and to the point
- Well written
Cons
- Not available on Paperback or Hardcover
3. Fit to Fight: An Insanely Effective Strength and Conditioning Program for Ultimate MMAWarrior
The book is available on Kindle and Paperback. It is written by top conditioning coach Jason Ferruggia. He writes about the best conditioning for the top MMA fighters in an ever increasingly popular martial art. The book guides fighters on how to gain strength, stamina, flexibility, and speed too. He also trains fighters on how to significantly reduce the risk of injury.
He focuses on mat-specific techniques of conditioning that are solely created for MMA and not any other sport. The training involves a speedy warm-up for a more explosive workout with reduced injuries, secrets for strength building, and various exercises for developing a tough grip. Each exercise has a pictorial illustration.
Pros
- Available on Kindle and paperback
- Well priced
- Has pictorial illustrations
- Well written
- Informative
- Ideal for other martial arts too
Cons
- Pictures in black and white
4. Ultimate Conditioning for Martial Arts
This book is available on Kindle and Paperback. It helps fighters learn explosive striking and kicking, brutal grappling and takedown, evading and counter attacking using the highest speed and agility you can master. It is ideal for all martial arts including MMA.
It helps you learn how to be dominant mentally and physically resulting in high performance. Learn how to evaluate your conditioning using your strengths and weaknesses. There more than 100 exercises available on this book that have been crafted to improve on every martial arts skill.
Get to learn how to create your conditioning program which will bring you short term gains and long term success.
Pros
- Affordable
- Available in kindle and paperback
- Informative
- Instructive
- Well written
- Practical
- Ideal for the health enthusiast
Cons
- Uses outdated weight training programs
Conclusion
An interest in MMA means there is a lot you have to learn. It’s important to sign up for different classes and get much-needed training. But, you also have some studying to do. Books have crucial information that you’ll need to become the best and derive maximum performance from MMA. The best books to learn MMA are available online in paperback, hardcover, and kindle format.
Get ahold of the best biographies from your icons and devour them. They are a wealth of knowledge and may offer more insight into your techniques too. Get books that also cover the MMA technique and strength conditioning too. Many of these books contain illustrations in picture form that will help you learn effective techniques.