Monday, December 8, 2008

Second Quarter Book Review

Chuck Liddell is a tiger with an attitude like no other. Since an early age, Chuck was put into violent situations where he found himself extremely upper handed. Chuck had a natural flair for fighting, because he always strived to better himself, a fight was a challenge that he was always able to rise up to meet. This is a real interesting book that is motivating and helps to understand the mentality of MMA (mixed martial arts) fighters. Much of the book is about battling conflicts within your life. One of the greatest things in the book is that it tells you to listen to your mother and stay true to your family. It really teaches you values about how you don’t need to live in the greatest town ever, to be a star.
“What’s not to love about Chuck Liddell? He has transcended the sport to become a cultural icon. He is the guy for most guys, a real-life hero in a world of spoiled, whiny poseurs, Arnold without the script." – ESPN THE MAGAZINE
This book to me was a very different experience because it was the first time that I have actually read an autobiography. I know that that sounds a little preposterous and silly but it’s true. The way that he phrased his sentences and his word usage really makes you want to bow down to him. He uses imagery to make him seem like a god in the eyes to his opponents. To the reader I’m sure that he can have the same affect. Chuck does a good job putting fear into the minds of his opposing team, this is mental toughness. He talks about mental toughness, and how you need it to get by in harsh sports such as MMA. Chuck Liddell, sporting a short cut Mohawk, standing 6 feet and 2 inches, and having a tattoo etched into the side of his head, is big into mind games.
I have read biographies before, but the ideas and tone of the book is so different because of the way that he puts himself out there. Instead of having someone else judge him, he judges himself.
“When I walk out of the tunnel, I can see the lights, hear the music, feel the crowd, but it all begins to close off as I near the cage. By that point I’m thinking, I’ve been training hard, it’s time to focus….everyman is born with a fight-or-flight instinct, and mine is to fight. It always has been.” – Chuck Liddell
This book has really shown me how hard people work to become champ. I really liked it because it was all about Chuck Liddell… and he is the man! (That also explains how I feel about the author)