I just wanted to add that the author of this article, Brian D'Souza, wrote one of the best books ever related to MMA. It's THE book the business side of things that literally none of us would have any idea about unless we went out and spoke to these managers, fighters, people behind the scenes etc like Brian did
Want an example? The story details when Fedor's manager was held for 3 days at gun point by PRIDE officials, who forged Fedor's signature on their contract. They demanded Fedor sign away for peanuts (while champion). The story is absolutely insane. The Yakuza went to his manager's home, scared the fuck out of his wife and family. That is what set the wheels in motion to PRIDE's demise. He went to the Japanese version of the FBI and that was what led to PRIDE losing their Fuji deal and eventually closing.
There is SO MUCH in this book that I could not believe when I read it, but at the same time, I could. The book focuses on Fedor, GSP, Shogun, Anderson and BJ. Each has their own section, with Fedor's being by far the most interesting. I know ti sounds like I'm shilling the guy's product, but I am really not. If you had to own two books on MMA, it'd be Gentry's No Holds Barred for the historic perspective and how it all happened, but Pound for Pound is a MUST read about everything that happens backstage and how the careers of these elite guys went down.
You can get it on Amazon at a great price. I initially bought the eBook and was blown away by it so much I had to order it, pretty much the day it came out a few years ago. I've read it twice since then. I'm also working on doing an interview with Brian for this site. I've already spoken to him about it and he is down, I just want to make sure I ask some really, really interesting and good stuff. So I'm reading the book for a third time.
Here's a link to get it
http://www.amazon.com/Pound-Modern-G...r+pound+modern
If you want a preview, I actually just watced this interview/podcast that he did with Bloody Elbow writer Kid Nate. Honestly, this interview is a must listen too, and I highly doubt anyone could not want to read the book after hearing it.
I may make a separate thread on this to familiarize the people on here with him and his book before the interview happens. Again, this is must read/listen stuff for anyone interested in how this sport really works. It's absolutely amazing how corrupt both Japan and Brazil are. You'd be shocked at how badly Anderson and Shogun were screwed by Rudimar Fedrigo (Chute Boxe head)... But if you think that's bad, just wait until you get to the Fedor stuff. Here's the podcast thing I mentioned that is again, a must listen.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRISyEfKcrg
Want an example? The story details when Fedor's manager was held for 3 days at gun point by PRIDE officials, who forged Fedor's signature on their contract. They demanded Fedor sign away for peanuts (while champion). The story is absolutely insane. The Yakuza went to his manager's home, scared the fuck out of his wife and family. That is what set the wheels in motion to PRIDE's demise. He went to the Japanese version of the FBI and that was what led to PRIDE losing their Fuji deal and eventually closing.
There is SO MUCH in this book that I could not believe when I read it, but at the same time, I could. The book focuses on Fedor, GSP, Shogun, Anderson and BJ. Each has their own section, with Fedor's being by far the most interesting. I know ti sounds like I'm shilling the guy's product, but I am really not. If you had to own two books on MMA, it'd be Gentry's No Holds Barred for the historic perspective and how it all happened, but Pound for Pound is a MUST read about everything that happens backstage and how the careers of these elite guys went down.
You can get it on Amazon at a great price. I initially bought the eBook and was blown away by it so much I had to order it, pretty much the day it came out a few years ago. I've read it twice since then. I'm also working on doing an interview with Brian for this site. I've already spoken to him about it and he is down, I just want to make sure I ask some really, really interesting and good stuff. So I'm reading the book for a third time.
Here's a link to get it
http://www.amazon.com/Pound-Modern-G...r+pound+modern
If you want a preview, I actually just watced this interview/podcast that he did with Bloody Elbow writer Kid Nate. Honestly, this interview is a must listen too, and I highly doubt anyone could not want to read the book after hearing it.
I may make a separate thread on this to familiarize the people on here with him and his book before the interview happens. Again, this is must read/listen stuff for anyone interested in how this sport really works. It's absolutely amazing how corrupt both Japan and Brazil are. You'd be shocked at how badly Anderson and Shogun were screwed by Rudimar Fedrigo (Chute Boxe head)... But if you think that's bad, just wait until you get to the Fedor stuff. Here's the podcast thing I mentioned that is again, a must listen.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRISyEfKcrg
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