Victory Belt, in my opinion the best publisher for MMA related instructional manuals, has released several books for the holiday season. They have expanded from their usual line of MMA books to include one on kettlebells. As TRX sessions and CrossFit gyms replace traditional gyms, the need for a well organized and comprehensive book becomes more and more necessary, especially for those that can't afford monthly fees. Enter Kettlebell RX.

Kettlebell RX was authored by Jeff Martone, a man that many consider to be one of the 'fore-fathers' of the modern American kettlebell movement. He's implemented a program for federal law enforcement as well as created different methods to get the most out of such a simple fitness product.

Kettlebell RX follows the same format as all Victory Belt books with photographs taken from various angles to showcase the proper technique and posture for the set of movements. The book is broken down into three parts: Kettlebells for CrossFitters, Rotational Power Development, and Introduction to Kettlebell Sport. "Kettlebells for CrossFitters" is sectioned off into additional parts focused on different lifts and series you can do with your kettlebells.

I have done the workouts that are illustrated in this book with my own 16kg kettlebells. I am not a daily kettlebell user nor am I someone who views kettlebell workouts as better for muscle groups than free weights and dumbbells. When it comes to lifting weights all workouts in my mind are terrible. However, the book's ability to break down the different series of lifts makes doing kettlebells a lot more enjoyable.

The section on the "Swing Series" is probably my favorite of the entire book. Due to the fact that I never worked out at a CrossFit gym, my posture is frankly terrible when doing swings and I have wrecked my back several times for this very reason. Seeing how swings are supposed to be performed can't be stated enough. My lower back still gets tight after these workouts but I'm able to function afterwards which is a nice change of pace for me.

The section dedicated to the "Turkish Get Up" focuses more on safety and proper body positioning than any other part of the book. It's very much appreciated considering the inherent danger in the Turkish Get Up series. It's the attention to details like this that make Victory Belt the best publisher in the market.

PROS:

- It's the most comprehensive book I've found on the subject of Kettlebells. The illustrations make each step understandable no matter the experience of the user.

- The sections makes it easy to find which series of lifts you want to complete on any given day.

- The lifts illustrated are good for any skill level. That's the beauty of kettlebell workouts. It doesn't matter if you're just starting or an old pro, the lifts are the same. This book just makes it easier to get the technique down.

- Adding the history of kettlebell sport is a nice touch.

CONS:

- I'd have preferred if the book provided some dietary advice for how to best fuel the body for a workout. There are different philosophies for what should go in pre and post workout and I'd have enjoyed reading what Jeff Martone had to say on the subject.

- Though the book provides a basic guide to a workout schedule, I'd like to see it get a little bit more detailed.

Price: $34.99 (US). You can buy the book here.

Disclaimer: I received this product for review from the publisher. It did not affect my review.

Last night Fraser Coffeen posted a review of Jean Jacques Machado's "The Grappler's Handbook" covering the basic format of the book and what readers can expect. When it comes to instructional books, there are two companies that really do it right and Black Belt is one of them. Black Belt's focus has been on the history of fighting and in doing so, they provide a view of the concepts and techniques that others overlook. 

Volume 2, aptly titled "Tactics for Defense" opens with a fantastic quote from Jean Jacques "As a young boy, I used to dream that one day I would be a famous martial artist. Though I am certainly not famous, I have experienced success and opportunities that I am thankful for everyday." For those that are unaware, Machado has been able to overcome some physical limitations through his brand of BJJ. This has made him one of the most sought after BJJ coaches in the world as he has developed a system that focuses on defensive techniques to escape from dangerous situations. 

The book is split into three sections: Defending from the bottom position, Defending against back control, and Defending from and against the guard. Each section then breaks down the various set ups and the best way to defend and escape. Each breakdown shows a photo sequence as well as a written description of the movements to follow. The descriptions are simplified which makes this a book that is good for any level of grappler. 

Though the book is written for the gi, the movement and techniques all translate easily to a no-gi environment. 

Speaking as someone who has trained in BJJ and no-gi grappling as well as someone who has purchased and read various instructional materials, I appreciate Machado's style. His techniques work for any level and don't require physical gifts and abilities to achieve various positions. The system is simple yet effective and that is what makes him one of the true masters of grappling. 

The final word is that this book isn't for offensive techniques. Machado instead covers ways for you to reestablish guard or sweep your opponent. In doing so, the handbook is truly something that works in all situations. My sole complaint is that the book doesn't cover half-guard which is a position I often find myself defending from since I don't have long enough legs to close guard against larger opponents. 

Disclaimer: I did receive this book for review from the publisher. It was after testing the techniques on the mat that I truly could give this book an honest review. 

As the popularity of MMA has grown, so have the various industries surrounding the sport. Clothing lines, workout gear, magazines... there's a whole world of MMA items out there now. You see this especially in books about MMA and other combat sports, where there's an ever increasing number of books written by big names in the sport either telling their story or sharing their secrets. With so many on the market, a book needs to have something unique to stand out.

Jean Jacques Machado's The Grappler's Handbook: Gi and No-Gi Techniques absolutely stand out from the crowd.

Written by Brazilian Jiu Jitsu master Machado, along with Jay Zeballos, this book is the first book in Machado's series on BJJ and MMA. The 2nd volume, Tactics for Defense, was recently released by Black Belt Magazine - look for a Bloody Elbow review on volume 2 coming soon.

The Grappler's Handbook follows a format that will be familiar to fans of MMA instructional books - a brief background and history on BJJ and MMA, followed by techniques from different positions illustrated with color photos breaking down the steps of the technique. It's a format that works, but again, it's one we've seen before. So what makes this book unique?

Machado does an excellent job breaking techniques down into three different categories - traditional Jiu Jitsu with a gi, submission fighting with no gi, and MMA. He consistently returns to these divisions, explaining how a technique that works well in Jiu Jitsu can't work without a gi, or how to make adjustments to avoid punches in an MMA setting. Unlike some BJJ purists, he does this with no condescension towards no-gi fighting; these are simply related, but different, forms of combat.

By acknowledging the differences between these sports, and making adjustments to suit them, Machado creates one of the best resources for how to take high level Jiu Jitsu and work it into the MMA game.

With his world class credentials, Machado also works in some very unique transitions, always explaining these complex moves in a way that makes sense to even a novice. I'm now itching to see someone pull off his leg-assisted head and arm choke - a choke I can honestly say I've never seen in MMA. 

Overall, The Grappler's Handbook is a great resource for anyone looking to strengthen their Jiu Jitsu skills across disciplines, or for anyone just looking for a better understanding of the intricacies of the ground game. It's a worthy addition to your growing MMA library.

Among MMA fans, there has been growing interest in the upcoming film Warrior. And for good reason. This is the first truly big release film dealing with MMA, and it will be intriguing to see just how the general public responds to the depiction of our sport in the film. To go along with the release, Warrior is getting the full Hollywood marketing push, including a coffee table book.

The Men of Warrior is a book of photographs of the film's stars, all taken to highlight their roles as MMA fighters. It includes color and black and white pictures of stars Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton, plus some of the other MMA fighters in the film - most notably former UFC fighter Nate Marquardt. The photography is by Tim Palen.

First things first - I have not yet seen the film (though you can read Matthew Roth's review here). But for this book, that doesn't really matter, as the photos do not attempt to tell a story, but instead simply present the actors/fighters. So how is the book?

As photography, it's great. There are a number of really beautiful shots here that do an excellent job using light and shadow to accentuate certain parts of the subjects. Palen grabs the little details - a drop of blood, a slightly twisted smile, a weariness in the hunched shoulders - and uses them to tell you so much about these men, creating entire characters and stories out of each frame. The pictures of Hardy are particularly strong, as he completely embodies the character so that even having not seen the film and only looking at still pictures, you understand who he is.

As an MMA fan, should you add it to your library? Well, that's a bit tricky. Again, the photography is great, but it may not hold as strong an appeal to the hardcore MMA fan. Like the movie, this book is designed for an audience with less exposure to MMA - an audience for whom a close up of Nate Marquardt's cauliflowered ear will provide a fascinating look into a world they know little about. Knowing this world well, I found myself greatly admiring the photography, but wishing that Palen's subjects were real fighters, taken after real fights - not sporting make-up in an effort to recreate the damage of a fight.

Overall, it's a unique glimpse into the casual view of MMA, and if you are a big fan of photography, or the film itself, be sure to check it out.

We were asked to put together a list of the best books ever written about MMA for USA TODAY's Mixed Martial Arts Special Edition. It wasn't easy to cut down our list to 8 books but we did it. We selected three fighter auto-biographies, three MMA history books and two instructionals.

Here's the list:

• Got Fight?: The 50 Zen Principles of Hand-to-Face Combat by Forrest Griffin with Erich Krauss
• Why I Fight: The Belt Is Just an Accessory by B.J. Penn with Dave Weintraub
• Made in America: The Most Dominant Champion in UFC History -- Matt Hughes with Michael Malice
  Hughes, thought to be a boring farm boy, was shown to be an interesting and conflicted man, balancing his newfound Christianity with his lifelong cockiness. Made in America is even more compelling than his Ultimate Fighter appearances.
  
  You wonder whether Hughes is aware he is the villain in much of his own book. In the end, it doesn't matter if he's in on the joke; it's a mesmerizing tale of a deeply flawed champion.
• Total MMA: Inside Ultimate Fighting -- by Jonathan Snowden
• The MMA Encyclopedia by Jonathan Snowden and Kendall Shields
• No Holds Barred -- by Clyde Gentry
• The Gracie Way: An Illustrated History of the World's Greatest Martial Arts Family -- by Kid Peligro
  

  Peligro is a true insider. No one else could have gotten this incredible treasure trove of stories from mixed martial arts' royal family, and it makes the book something special.

  Peligro divides the book into 10 chapters, each devoted to a different Gracie: Carlos, Helio, Carlson, Rolls, Rorion, Carlos Jr., Rickson, Royler, Royce and Renzo all earn time in the spotlight.

  Peligro almost serves as a spokesman for the family here. Readers approaching this book looking for objectivity will be horribly disappointed. It's the Gracie family's story, spun to their benefit at every turn.

  That doesn't stop it from being a must-read book for fans looking for insight into the family that started it all.

• Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique by Renzo Gracie, Royler Gracie and John Danaher
• Mixed Martial Arts: The Book of Knowledge by B.J. Penn, Erich Krauss and Glen Cordoza
  

  If Peligro's BJJ instructionals were the pioneers of the genre, Victory Belt's books are the modern standard, and this tome by multidivision UFC champ Penn is the definitive example.

  The book details Penn's strategic and tactical approach to MMA with detailed breakdowns of hundreds of techniques, including strikes, submissions and takedowns.

  More important, the book includes Penn's secrets for using one technique to set up another and transitioning from one phase of the game to the next.

  The color photos are clear and capture the actions described in the accompanying text to a T.

  There are fighting camps where this tome is passed from hand to hand as aspiring mixed martial artists work to learn their craft.

There are lots of other books I'd have included in a longer list. Matt Lindland's Dirty Boxing for Mixed Martial Arts: From Wrestling to Mixed Martial Arts in particular is the best technical guide to applying wrestling to MMA. Despite the somewhat misleading title, it's a complete, systematic look at each of the dominant standing control positions, the attacks leading from them and the best way to segue from one to another. 

Eddie Bravo's Mastering the Rubber Guard and Mastering the Twister are the only comparably systematic books on MMA grappling I've seen and, with apologies to Eddie, Lindland's Greco-Roman is much more broadly applicable than Bravo's somewhat eccentric, if innovative, Rubber Guard and Twister systems.

What are your favorite MMA books?

Jake Shannon's Say Uncle!: Catch-As-Catch Can Wrestling and the Roots of Ultimate Fighting, Pro Wrestling & Modern Grappling is a valuable addition to the fighting sports library. Shannon runs the Scientific Wrestling web site -- a great resource for anyone curious about catch wrestling -- and has been a dedicated student of this nearly lost art for over a decade. 

Shannon outlines the history and techniques of catch wrestling and, most interestingly, interviews many legends of the art including Karl Gotch, Billy Robinson, Billy Wicks, Yoshiaki Fujiwara, Gene LeBell, Josh Barnett and Erik Paulson. The interviews are a wide-ranging lot and cover everything from the techniques and philosophy of grappling, to the old days on the carnival wrestling circuit to adapting catch to modern MMA.

The anecdotes from the old school catch wrestlers are my favorite part of the book as the era when pro wrestling was sometimes real and sometimes fake is a fascinating era. The grapplers Shannon interviews were on the side that fought to keep the sport a sport -- often by "shooting" (ie competing for real) on "workers" (fake wrestlers) who didn't have a clue to defend themselves. 

The book also features a nice 30 page section on techniques featuring black and white photos and explanations for a number of take downs, rides and submission holds  and how to string them together. The book also does a great job of explaining the "scientific" basis of catch wrestling with its emphasis on bio-mechanics, leverage and torque. 

The book makes an excellent complement to Mark Hewitt's Catch Wrestling and Catch Wrestling Round Two which both look more at the history of professional wrestling in the first half of the 20th Century and doesn't pay much if any attention to technical issues. 

Shannon's book is a very professional production, well edited, nicely laid out and a pleasure to read. Most importantly the book is a critical contribution to the effort to preserve the knowledge and history of this almost lost martial art that is a direct forefather of MMA. 

Thanks to ECW Press for the review copy.

I've post-poned publishing this review of Cung Le's San Shou: The Complete Fighting System because I kept hoping against hope that he would sign a bout contract and treat us to another MMA fight, but alas, it appears Hollywood has lured him away from MMA for the foreseeable future. 

Cung Le has had a remarkable combat sports career first in sanshou/wushu, then K-1 kickboxing and then in MMA. Per Wikipedia, Le went 16-0 in Sanshou competition, 3-0 for K-1 and 8-1 in MMA under the Strikeforce banner. 

Despite winning the Strikeforce title, Le has never quite garnered the respect from hardcore MMA fans that his abilities and utterly innovative style merit. 

Le's unique style of combining dramatic throws and slams with a variety of flashy kicks -- many of which had never been seen before in pro-level MMA -- made him an instant favorite with fans watching but also consistently drew skepticism from self-appointed "hardcores" who frankly just couldn't believe what they were seeing and accused Le of ducking quality competition and even of engaging in works. 

Frankly that criticism was coming out of utter ignorance. While it's unfortunate that Le came to MMA so late in his athletic career -- he made his pro debut at age 34 -- and he was never able to make a full-time commitment to the cage, his skill and stylistic innovations are undeniable.

His book,  San Shou: The Complete Fighting System, co-authored with Glen Cordoza and published by Victory Belt, goes a long way towards de-mystifying Le's style and explaining how he put it together. 

Start with taekwondo beginning at age 10. Like Anderson Silva, Stephan Bonnar and many other martial artists of his generation, Le started his martial arts journey by studying this kick-based style that is often dismissed as impractical or inapplicable to MMA.

Add a strong foundation in folkstyle, Greco-Roman and Freestyle wrestling. Le wrestled competitively from the age of 14, culminating in winning the California Junior College championship in 1990. 

Mix in an extensive point-fighting background culminating in three US Open International Martial Arts Championships. Successful as he was, Le felt hampered by the rules banning punches to the face and kicks to the back among many other restrictions. 

Channel all of that background into a decade of competition under Sanshou rules. Sanshou (aka Sanda or Wushu) is the competition martial art of the Chinese military and the rules allow for full contact striking (with a ban on clinch fighting) and throws, but no ground fighting. This rule set was perfect for Le with his taekwondo and wrestling backgrounds.

After a decade of ruling the U.S. Sanshou world and competing internationally, he came to MMA. With the exception of an aging Frank Shamrock, Le never faced truly top-tier competition, but he did prove that his style is effective in the cage. 

San Shou: The Complete Fighting System details the building blocks of Le's style. It's the usual beautiful Victory Belt publication with hundreds of full color photos detailing each move step-by-step and clear explanations from Le for how to execute each move. 

There are sections on Stance, Side Kick Techniques, Striking to the Takedown, Finishing the Takedown, Defensive Tactics, Catching Kicks, Takedown Defense, Clinch Techniques and Drills. This last section may be of the most utility to fighters looking to incorporate Le-style throws and side kicks into their game. 

The book is a remarkable introduction to a style of fighting that is almost completely unique in MMA history. Le's style eschews the Muay Thai or boxing foundation that is the most common MMA striking style. Instead he replaces the round kick to the thigh and the jab with the side kick as his foundational strike. This creates a world of new possibilities for the thinking MMA fighter as the changes in stance and fighting range completely change the fight. 

But it's Le's wrestling that allows his TKD derived striking to work in MMA. The book details how Le combines the two and uses his kicks to set up the dramatic throws and slams that have so electrified MMA fans. While he includes plenty of the single and double leg take downs, trips and arm drags that are the most commonly seen MMA take downs in his repertoire, he adds a dramatic flair by finishing his single legs with flashy moves like "hiking the football" and the "helicopter throw" and a whole range of high impact throws and hip tosses more familiar to judo than MMA.

Clearly Le's game includes very little ground grappling and no submissions, but his wrestling made it so hard for his opponents to take him down that that never proved relevant in his MMA career. 

All in all, this is an excellent book for the student of MMA, especially those bringing extensive TKD experience to the game. I also recommend it for anyone who wants to understand Le's flashy style and just how technically sound it is at its base. It's looking like we'll never know how Le would have fared against the top MMA middleweights of his era, but we do know that he has blazed a path of innovation in MMA that many fighters will follow in the future. 

Thanks to  Victory Belt for the review copy.

He's been forced out of his UFC 131 bout against Junior dos Santos due to diverticulitis, and while Brock Lesnar isn't sure when he will be able to fight again, that won't stop them from promoting his new book called "Death Clutch: My Story of Determination, Domination, and Survival". He penned the story of his life along with his former manager from pro-wrestling, Paul Heyman, and here are a few excerpts on the book that comes out this month.

On pages 83-85, Lesnar talks about his second year in the WWE where you could already see why he eventually decided to leave pro-wrestling. He details how much he enjoys his privacy, and talks about a fellow pro-wrestler he envied a bit in this chapter called "Starting Year Two":

My first year on the main roster in WWE was a blur. My second year was even worse. I was running into the grind. Same routine every day, day in and day out. The money was great, and I was buying a lot of nice things, but I had no time to enjoy any of it. That touring schedule just eats you up. I just kept thinking that there has to be a better way to make some real money.

The one good thing—okay, great thing—that came out of my second year was that I got to meet my future wife, Rena.

I think it’s pretty common knowledge that I’m a very private man, and there’s a reason for that. When I’m on the job, in the ring, at the arena, I’m there to entertain you. I understand that. You paid to see me, and I owe it to you to make sure your money was well spent. But when I’m not on the job, I don’t think I owe anything to anybody. If you’re a plumber, and you’re out to dinner with your family, would you like it if the waiter walked up and said, "Hey, the toilet just backed up, can you come in the back and fix it?" Probably not. You are there to eat, not to fish tampons out of the drain pipe.

When I’m enjoying some time with my family, I’m not at work. I’m not "on." I’m not there to entertain anyone. I’m a husband and a father. I’m Daddy. That’s who I am, and all I want to be. So if some jackass wants to pose for pictures with me, it really burns my ass because he isn’t just imposing on me, he is imposing on my wife and my children, too.

I think everyone should have a right to privacy. Certainly, my family has a right to be left alone. My wife was on TV for a while, so she can expect some of the attention, I get that. But my children aren’t performers. What makes them fair game? What gives anyone else the right to take pictures of my children? Why does anyone think it’s okay to just walk up to me and act as if I owe them an answer to personal questions? Is it because they bought a ticket or purchased a pay-per-view? I’ve never been able to grasp that. Why can’t I just do my job? If I’m at an event, or out promoting something, that’s one thing. I expect to take pictures and sign autographs. That’s why I’m there. But I deserve a private life, too, and so does my family.

Over the years, I’m sure that being as private as I am has cost me a lot of money. I could be like one of those media whores that shows up anywhere there might be a camera just to keep my name out there, and to keep my face on the TV and in the papers so the endorsements will keep coming in. But that’s not me, and I can live with that.

I like to stay home, spend time with my family, and be left alone. My life is my life. It’s nobody’s business what goes on in my house, or with my wife or my children. I won’t intrude on your private life. Don’t intrude on mine. That’s why, in some ways, the WWE character I envied the most was Kane. He had the greatest gig ever, because he was a big star who wore a mask on TV. When he went home, he’d get to take off the mask and live a normal life. Nobody knew what he looked like, and no one ever bothered him when he went about his personal life. He must have had about as normal a life as you can have in professional wrestling. That’s probably why Glenn Jacobs (Kane) survived for so long in WWE. Maybe I should have worn a mask. I might have lasted just a little longer . . . or not.

After the jump, a few more pages from the book where he talks about various topics such as his UFC 100 bout against Frank Mir, the 'Shooting Star Press' that almost broke his neck, and the motto that helped him get through the day to day grind in the WWE.

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