Ronda Rousey: "My Fight Your Fight"

Ronda Rousey's "My Fight Your Fight" hit the bookshelves with impeccable timing, just as her fame and popularity attained new heights and reached audiences well beyond the usual UFC/MMA crowd.  Like myself, to be sure.  The stories of Rousey's bouts ending in mere seconds (12 seconds?!!?! How is that even possible?) reached the mainstream, and her combination of good looks, toughness, athleticism, and entertainment marketing converged during her book tour.  I happened upon her book tour scheduled stop in Kansas City just a few days prior to the event, and decided to attend and check out the Rousey-pandemonium first hand.  So, my two sons and I went to see and meet Ronda in person.

The book signing was crowded and as raucous as a book-signing can be, though nothing got out of control, thanks to police presence as well as Rousey's entourage.  Quickly the "no pictures from the stage" rule dissolved away, through the crowd still moved through the book queue quickly.  Ronda shook hands, posed, and spoke to each person coming through the line.  It was a great event.  Capping the event was Ronda coming down from the stage to greet a wheelchair-bound special needs fan.  She spent a few minutes talking to the the young man, who was ecstatic to be able to meet and share some time with the Champ.

Enough about the booksigning - how about the book?  "My Fight Your Fight" is a very good sports memoir/autobiography.  Ms. Rousey describes her youth, including the tragic death-by-suicide of her fathter, and her subsequent rise through the USA Judo ranks, culminating in two Olympic games.  Her story continues on to her few amateur MMA bouts, and then her turning pro in the UFC, through her current status as the undisputed most popular athlete in the ranks.

As a framework, each chapter begins with a few paragraphs about achievement, hard work, no-pain-no-gain, stuggles-bearing-success, and the like.  This framework does provide an effective motivational thread through the book, but overall does not add significant interest.  It's OK, but that's it.  

Ronda's insight and story about her years in the world of Olympic-caliber judo, though, are fascinating.  The struggles with coaching, the terrifying (to me) methods of weight-cutting, and the minimal support from the governing association are eye-opening and superbly interesting parts of this sports auto-bio.  The reader gets a close sense of what it takes in terms of day-to-day and also months-long efforts to reach the peak of the sport.

What also works in "My Fight Your Fight" are Ronda's descriptions of her bouts and opponents.  She gives us detailed insights into the athletes that she has fought, and move-by-move accounts of the fights.  I found myself going to Youtube to watch the fights after reading her detailed descriptions, which always include her recollections of her thoughts during the matches.  These chapters were the best of the book.

Der Bingle recommends "My Fight Your Fight".