Matthew Polly is a journalist who got a book contract by agreeing to study with several well-known martial arts instructors, then get into the ring for a UFC-type competition. Intersperced with his training stories are details of his relationship with the woman that will become his wife, and a history lesson on mixed martial arts and the rise of the sport's popularity. The tone is light-hearted for such a violent topic and Polly only competes in one fight, so no one really gets their a** kicked or seriously hurt. Still, this was an interesting introduction to a sport I know little about and have little interest in (thought some of my male contemporaries are kind of obsessed).

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