Made in America – Matt Hughes

Review by Gary Graham

Made in America is the definitive story of Ultimate Fighting Championship legend Matt Hughes -one of the most dominant fighters in UFC history.  For the first time ever, this mixed martial arts Champion opens the doors to his childhood, training and career, as he reveals exactly what life as a fighter is really like.  Don’t miss Hughes’ inspiring story told in his own words, as Made in America gets ready to hit shelves on 7th January 2008.

From humble beginnings on the family farm in Hillsboro, Illinois, to glory within the UFC’s infamous Octagon, Hughes has proved time and time again that determination, ambition, and plenty of hard work can achieve virtually anything.  Challenging for his first UFC title in 2001 against the fiercely successful Carlos Newton, Hughes shocked mixed martial arts fans as his knocked out his rival, slamming him into the mat powerbomb style, while Hughes himself was close to blacking out from Newton’s choke hold.  

Successfully defending his championship belt several times thereafter, Hughes built an undeniably consistent reputation within the sport, and a loyal fan base. 

In 2005 Hughes ventured into the world of reality TV, by appearing in the second series of The Ultimate Fighter – where professional MMA fighters that have yet to make a big name for themselves compete against each other for the title of Ultimate Fighter.  Hughes coached one of the two teams of hopefuls, opposite fellow coach and UFC fighter Rich Franklin. 

In addition to this investment in the future of his sport, Hughes also volunteers his time to help young people in his hometown of Hillsboro, where he still lives with his wife and two children.

Hughes says, “This is the first book to let the fans know how the UFC actually works, from someone who’s been there. And if you think you know what the life of a fighter is like based on interviews and reality TV shows, just wait until you read this book…”

Review:

This is the first UFC biography I have read and being a Matt Hughes fan I was pretty excited to receive this book and I suppose I was expecting an exciting, riveting and deep inside look into the world of UFC.

Matt Hughes is one of the best known MMA fighters ever produced and probably one of the most successful currently working for the UFC, with two stints as coach on the popular ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ and being a multiple welterweight champion you could say Matt Hughes has seen it and done it all.

For a most part of the book there is a lot of swearing, sexual exploits and violence that would open the eyes of most people.  This is Matt Hughes warts and all though.

The book charts the life of Hughes from his harsh up bringing as a farm boy right up to the last couple of years.  How he and his twin brother Mark started out their sporting journey with high school wrestling, fighting with other kids and often battling each other in a war of sibling rivalry.  He discusses in depth at times his relationship with his mother and father and the stresses and financial strains that hit every farming community in the USA. 

Hughes was approached to try his hand at Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and soon realised that there could be some serious money to be made by doing what he loved best, beating people up. His climb up the fighter’s ladder was fast and furious and at times this comes across quiet arrogant in his writing. 

Matt Hughes does not hold back the punches in his writing when it comes to writing about other UFC fighters laying into fighters like BJ Penn and Frank Trigg. 

At times Matt Hughes comes across as the high school bully he has been portrayed by many other UFC fighters in the past.  This book is an eye opener for his fans and to the anti Matt Hughes camp proof that he is an egotistical bully.

In summing up this book is not the best read in the world, and at times I was hoping it would go deeper inside the world of the UFC.  It lacked that shock impact I think I was expecting. I did enjoy the most part of the book and some of the stories pre UFC made me laugh.  His bitching against other fighters does come straight from the heart and it can come across as quiet cringe-worthy.

This book is available from all good book stockists and can be purchased online from at Amazon.co.uk following the link below..