THE MIXED MARTIAL ARTS HANDBOOK BOOK REVIEW
The Mixed Martial Arts Handbook
This book written by John Ritschel is The Insider’s Guide to Fighting Techniques. Wether you are a spectator of the sport of mixed martial arts AKA cage fighting or a keen martial artist intending to make your octagon debut sometime in the future, this is your first stop in gaining the required knowledge on the fastest growing sport in the world today.
John Ritschel is more than qualified on the subject having an early start at age 12 in martial arts. He went on to study the styles of Karate, Taekwondo, HapKiDo, Western Boxing, KungFu, Kickboxing and Wrestling. John is a senior instructor holding various black belts and a 2nd Dan in the All Range Combat Systems, a Mixed Martial Arts style. Not only that he’s earnt a silver medal in the Open World Championship and the accolade of the ‘Fighter of the Year’ award from the International Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
In the past a book on combat sport fighting techniques would be written from the perspective of the instructor teaching one style that he believes to be the best style. That was a whole different era that MMA evolved out of, when the ultimate fighting contest was purely concerned with testing which martial art be it boxing, olympic wrestling, kickboxing or jiu jitsu would reign supreme. Now in the modern era of mixed fighting it is essential to be a well rounded fighter, not relying on one style to win the fight.
John Ritschel’s book perfectly illustrates how to be an all rounder, demonstrating how to defend and attack in many variable positions a fighter will face in MMA competition. Included are all the basic kicks, throws, punches along with how to avoid takedowns and defending off your back. It amazes me as spectator how these guys from these many uncomprimising positions are able to turn a disadvantage around to gain the upper hand.
Not only does the book cover the moves and tactics utilised within the sport, it covers the rules of the game along with a brief history of how it all began with Brazilian Vale Tudo bouts along with Japanese shoot wrestling, which led to the first ever Ultimate Fighting Championship event held in 1993.
If you haven’t got your copy yet make sure it’s on your Christmas list. The Mixed Martial Arts handbook published by A&C Black is out now in all good book shops or from online book sellers, priced £24.99.
UFC & MMA blog by Duane Farr
duane@bluraymma.com