�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....Every man is born with a fight-or-flight instinct, and mine is to fight. It always has been.� �From the Prologue
What�s it like to have no fear, to make people cower in their shoes, to know the sweet satisfaction of knocking a guy out with a single, devastating punch? You have to read my book to find out. I�ve been called the baddest man on the planet. I�m the face of Ultimate Fighting Championship, the leader in mixed martial arts and the fastest growing sport in America. In 1998 I won my first MMA fight. Not long after, the UFC came calling, and eventually fought my way to become the #1 ranked light-heavyweight contender in the world. Not bad for a bartender with a college degree in accounting.
I was raised by a single mother and inspired by my grandfather, a first- generation Irish American from Mafia-run Brooklyn. I learned how to fight at a very young age. Now I�m 6'2", 220 pounds, and a trained lethal weapon, but I�m also fiercely loyal, maybe even a bit sensitive, and unexpectedly romantic. In raw detail, and with total honesty, I�m going to tell you the story of my fighting life�both inside and outside the Octagon� including my childhood in the poor section of Santa Barbara, gritty insider accounts of my major fights, stories behind my trademark mohawk and nickname, my ongoing rivalry with Tito Ortiz and deep-rooted friendship with Dana White, and how I balance life as a father, a UFC champ, and a superstar�or try to, anyway. With never-before-seen photos, Iceman is my true, no-holds-barred story of fighting my way to become a champion.
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: Tough Guy, Rickety Binding Comment: Natch, this is one of those autobiographies written "with" a real writer, in this case, Chad Millman. But given the Iceman's persona and interest reflected herein, this book still has the ring of authenticity, as captured in quotes like these regarding pre-fight preparations:
-- "...I could think, focus, and go over my game plan, which was essentially to go and beat the cr** out of the guy."
-- "My plan was to punch him in the face as much and as frequently as possible."
You've got to love it. (That, or return the book.) My guess is that Iceman fans will enjoy getting the lowdown on Liddell's life, and this also provides an interesting history on how the UFC became what it is today.
I am downgrading this book to four stars because its binding was so crummy, whole chapters fell out as I worked my way through it. Customer Rating: Summary: Speedy Delivery to Australia Comment: I ordered this product as part of a gift for my partner, I ordered it late and was sure I would not have it on time however it arrived way before I anticipated and estimated delivery time and in perfect condition so thank you Amazon Customer Rating: Summary: If you like UFC, good book. Comment: I read this book in one day while stuck at the airport. I'm a UFC follower and I enjoyed reading this book. Chuck's got a great story. He's been there from the start of UFC. Customer Rating: Summary: Chapter 32: When you have an opportunity to have a good time , you've got to take it. Comment: I picked this up and read it cover to cover on a 6 hour flight.
I am very impressed but at the same time intrigued by Chuck as he is an interesting character. It is not often a guy with a mowhawk and tattoos on his head scores a 1200+ on his SATs.
The chapters are short and sweet, and each one tells a life lesson.
If fact Chuck recommends ripping out the table of contents and posting it on your wall. There were some interesting stories about his no holds barred fight in Brazil, and his extreme training at the Pit, along with his acting career on Entourage. However, hands down the best story was about how easy it is to pick up girls on a fight night after you win the UFC championship. Customer Rating: Summary: The Iceman Cometh ... and smites his Opposition Comment: MMA icon and Mohawk-coiffed Chuck Liddell offers his first person autobiography in "Iceman." After reading the pathetic Matt Hughes book - "Made in America" - Hughes makes Liddell seem like freakin' William Shakespeare. "Iceman" is a highly entertaining read if you are a MMA fan, regardless of whether or not you are a Liddell fan. Liddell's rise in MMA has roughly paralleled the emergence of MMA as a fringe activity - "human cockfighting" - to a more mainstream sport.
You get the inside story of Liddell's training methods, his preparations for his fights, what it's like to be on the set of "The Ultimate Fighter" and his friendship with Dana White. Chuck Liddell comes off to me as a fairly carefree happy go lucky guy who doesn't get too high after wins or too low after losses. He is no saint, and after reading the book you might suggest that his nickname not be "Iceman" as much as "Swordsman."
The story is not complete, of course. At age 37 or 38, Liddell may have a few fights left in him. The book was written before he beat Wanderlei Silva in December 2007. If Liddell's career continues as long as Randy Couture's, he may have to sharpen the pencil for a sequel.
If you are an MMA fan, you will enjoy and savor this self-portrait of a modern day gladiator.
