Fighting against the Odds

Fiaz Rafiq

doi:10.5771/9781538154847

Fighting against the Odds

An Insider's Life in UFC, Boxing, and Entertainment

1. Edition 2022

No access

doi.org/10.5771/9781538154847
ISBN print: 978-1-5381-5483-0
ISBN online: 978-1-5381-5484-7
Rowman & Littlefield, Lanham Rowman & Littlefield, Lanham

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Abstract

A riveting memoir by acclaimed combat sports and entertainment journalist Fiaz Rafiq, as he shares captivating stories of fighting legends and entertainment stars alongside the story of his own personal hardships, struggles against prejudice, and ultimate triumph.

Fighting against the Odds is the culmination of Fiaz Rafiq’s decades of work behind the scenes as a mixed martial arts and combat sports journalist, gaining the trust and confidence of the best fighters in UFC and boxing. Rafiq shares candid accounts, hidden histories, and thrilling experiences from his time with some of the most famous and prominent personalities in fighting sports. Included are never-before-told stories of UFC’s most decorated and revered champions in Randy Couture, Royce Gracie, Daniel Cormier, Brock Lesnar, Georges St-Pierre, and Conor McGregor and boxing and martial arts icons such as Mike Tyson, Muhammad Ali, and Bruce Lee.

Reaching the pinnacle of his career was anything but a smooth ride for Rafiq. The writer faced adversities, obstacles, and even harassment at American airports. Fighting against the Odds is a fascinating odyssey, one man’s inspiring coming-of-age story populated by some of the most colorful characters in the world of sports and entertainment. Itis a powerful story of hard work, tenacity, and success against overwhelming odds.

Schlagworte

journalist memoir mixed Martial Arts writing Boxing Bruce Lee Conor McGregor MMA Mike Tyson Muhammad Ali Randy Courture Royce Gracie UFC

Chapter Expand | CollapsePage
i–xii Preface i–xii
- Contents
- Foreword
- Preface
1–8 1 Crazy Obsessions 1–8
9–14 2 It’s a Man’s World 9–14
15–23 3 Feeling Despondent 15–23
24–33 4 The American Dream 24–33
34–41 5 Enter the Gracies 34–41
42–49 6 Returning to Los Angeles 42–49
50–58 7 Enter the Journalist 50–58
59–65 8 UFC Assignment 59–65
66–69 9 More Real Than the UFC 66–69
70–76 10 The Giants 70–76
77–87 11 Hollywood, Here We Come! 77–87
88–92 12 Home Sweet Home 88–92
93–100 13 The Sport of MMA Hits the Mainstream 93–100
101–106 14 Ringside and Brock “The Beast” Lesnar 101–106
107–114 15 UFC 105 Encounters 107–114
115–123 16 Boxing versus UFC 115–123
124–131 17 UFC, Royals, and Rich Arabs 124–131
132–137 18 Mike, Managers, and Me 132–137
138–146 19 Muhammad Ali Encounters 138–146
147–151 20 From Martial Arts to Movie Magic 147–151
152–159 21 I’ll Be Back 152–159
160–T 22 From Hospitality to MMA Chaos 160–T
169–173 23 Adventures in New York 169–173
174–179 24 Las Vegas 174–179
180–184 25 Canada: MMA Mad 180–184
185–188 26 The Massive MMA Fiasco 185–188
189–199 27 I’m No Terrorist 189–199
200–204 28 From Racism to Road Rage 200–204
205–210 29 Mr. Rocky 205–210
211–215 30 Bruce Lee 211–215
216–219 31 Enter the Octagon 216–219
220–226 32 Old School Meets New 220–226
227–234 33 Challenging Conor McGregor 227–234
235–241 34 Tough Man Tales 235–241
242–249 35 Notorious 242–249
250–255 36 Meeting with an Underworld Figure 250–255
256–260 37 The Perils of Sports Fame 256–260
261–266 38 Michael, Matt, and Martial Arts 261–266
267–275 39 A New Direction 267–275
276–284 40 Flying High 276–284
285–292 41 A Tumultuous Year 285–292
293–294 Epilogue 293–294
295–298 Afterword 295–298
299–300 Acknowledgments 299–300
301–302 About the Author 301–302

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