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Little Evil: One Ultimate Fighter's Rise to the Top
At ten years of age, lined up alongside his two brothers in the living room of their Seattle home, Jens Pulver stared down the length of a shotgun into his father’s haggard face. Because Jens was the oldest, the one constantly running upstairs to protect his mother in the middle of the night, his father placed the barrel into his mouth first.Fear taught Jens how to attack with his fists. Fear taught him how to get what he wanted, by any means necessary. Fear put him on the path toward becoming a world champion fighter, to prove wrong all those who claimed he wouldn’t amount to any more than his drunk old man. It was this path ― the one that would make him the most intimidating pound-for-pound fighter in the ring ― that eventually let him put his childhood demons to rest and find an inner peace. But it was a long and painful battle.Little Evil is a gripping and true tale of father and son, of what betrayal does to the young and drives them to do, and of how one determined man shattered the chains of his childhood and rose to the top, becoming the lightweight champion of the UFC.
188 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 9, 2011
This is Jens Pulver, after I think his lose to Uriah Faber but I'm not positive on that:
One cool thing about him, that he doesn't mention in his book, is that he has naturally two different . colored eyes. He's a strange looking guy and always reminds me of this little Irish guy I knew in Saratoga who would get seriously drunk and then pick fights with big meat heads twice his size (One time he got into a fight outside against three ex-football player looking guys outside of the bar my friends and I were at. In an attempt to stop him one of the meat heads threw a bottle at his head. The bottle gashed open his forehead as it bounced off of his head and proceeded to break a store front window and the guy kept on fighting without pause until the cops showed up.) That guy didn't have two different colored eyes but he had the same little guy maniacal look that Pulver always seems to be sporting.
I have no reason to believe this, but in my head I picture Pulver as being able to do the same thing, which maybe he could do. He did defeat BJ Penn when everyone thought "the Prodigy" was unbeatable.
How about the book itself. This is up there with the Forrest Griffin books as being the better written of the MMA books I've read so far (that's not really fair, Blood in the Cage was also well written but that was done by a journalist not a fighter (that book starts off with "Little Evil" talking to the author and being baffled that the author had never been in a fight. Pulver then offers to punch him once and break his nose so that he will know what it feels like, some other fighters in the gym chime in offering to even set the author's nose afterwards. The author declines the invitation. Pussy (for the record I'd be scared to have a former UFC champion punch me in the face but I like to think I'd let him do it, seriously. I'd feel like the biggest bad-ass afterwards and what a mental edge it would give me when dealing with assholes at work.). Dare I even say it has pretensions to being literary? I'm not sure if this is Pulver's doing or maybe the co-writer for Pulver and Griffin's books, Erich Krauss, is just a good writer.
This book opens with a seven year old Pulver pissing his pants while his father jams a loaded shotgun into his mouth while telling Pulver's two brothers and mother that he is going to execute them all. He doesn't do it, instead he tells little Jens that he isn't even worth the bullets and stomps off to the kitchen with the threat to kill himself. A minute later there is a shotgun blast and a while later when the family screws up the courage to see their tormentor lying dead they are greeted with the father sitting there, alive and well and really really angry that it took so long for anyone in the family to come see if he was alright. Beatings commenced for everyone. Welcome to another chapter in the life of a fighter with Daddy issues. His childhood is a stream of beatings from his alcoholic / coke-binging /speed popping father. The rest of the book is Pulver's attempts to find some self-worth in himself and escape from admonishments like, "you aren't even worth the bullets to kill". But this isn't really much of a sob-story, which is good because too much sentimentality would have doomed this book like the first half of Randy Couture's book did.
Now just one more of these MMA biographies left from my library borrowing binge and then I'll try to wean myself back to the world of real booknerd books.
One cool thing about him, that he doesn't mention in his book, is that he has naturally two different . colored eyes. He's a strange looking guy and always reminds me of this little Irish guy I knew in Saratoga who would get seriously drunk and then pick fights with big meat heads twice his size (One time he got into a fight outside against three ex-football player looking guys outside of the bar my friends and I were at. In an attempt to stop him one of the meat heads threw a bottle at his head. The bottle gashed open his forehead as it bounced off of his head and proceeded to break a store front window and the guy kept on fighting without pause until the cops showed up.) That guy didn't have two different colored eyes but he had the same little guy maniacal look that Pulver always seems to be sporting.
I have no reason to believe this, but in my head I picture Pulver as being able to do the same thing, which maybe he could do. He did defeat BJ Penn when everyone thought "the Prodigy" was unbeatable.
How about the book itself. This is up there with the Forrest Griffin books as being the better written of the MMA books I've read so far (that's not really fair, Blood in the Cage was also well written but that was done by a journalist not a fighter (that book starts off with "Little Evil" talking to the author and being baffled that the author had never been in a fight. Pulver then offers to punch him once and break his nose so that he will know what it feels like, some other fighters in the gym chime in offering to even set the author's nose afterwards. The author declines the invitation. Pussy (for the record I'd be scared to have a former UFC champion punch me in the face but I like to think I'd let him do it, seriously. I'd feel like the biggest bad-ass afterwards and what a mental edge it would give me when dealing with assholes at work.). Dare I even say it has pretensions to being literary? I'm not sure if this is Pulver's doing or maybe the co-writer for Pulver and Griffin's books, Erich Krauss, is just a good writer.
This book opens with a seven year old Pulver pissing his pants while his father jams a loaded shotgun into his mouth while telling Pulver's two brothers and mother that he is going to execute them all. He doesn't do it, instead he tells little Jens that he isn't even worth the bullets and stomps off to the kitchen with the threat to kill himself. A minute later there is a shotgun blast and a while later when the family screws up the courage to see their tormentor lying dead they are greeted with the father sitting there, alive and well and really really angry that it took so long for anyone in the family to come see if he was alright. Beatings commenced for everyone. Welcome to another chapter in the life of a fighter with Daddy issues. His childhood is a stream of beatings from his alcoholic / coke-binging /speed popping father. The rest of the book is Pulver's attempts to find some self-worth in himself and escape from admonishments like, "you aren't even worth the bullets to kill". But this isn't really much of a sob-story, which is good because too much sentimentality would have doomed this book like the first half of Randy Couture's book did.
Now just one more of these MMA biographies left from my library borrowing binge and then I'll try to wean myself back to the world of real booknerd books.
June 21, 2017
Jens Pulver is a fighter in every definition of the word. Honestly if you are fan of Jens read this book, if you are not a fan of Jens read this book and you will be. Despite the first and long-time UFC lightweight champion Jens is probably best known for his rivalry with BJ Penn. A rivalry that I personally think proves the old adage hard work over ability. During the book Jens talk about the whole build up and the fight itself with BJ. If you want a first-hand honest account of the fight you cannot get a better version then Jens own.
Jens is open and honest about his family life and the abusive environment he grew up in. Like many he found an escape and a release in the form of sport in his case wrestling, unlike many Jens determination and ability to overcome any obstacle, in some cases owing up and making a mends for his own mistakes allowed him to have a successful life, career, make new friends and adopting a new family. He managed to build bridges and in some cases banish the demons of his past, towards setting down with a new family of his own. This book finishes before Jens' attempted returns to the UFC, and his fights in the WEC.
This is also a great book for MMA historians, as most MMA books he give a brief history of MMA and Royce Gracie, and the early days of the UFC. At the time when MMA was still style vs. style. Jens talks about his own evaluation in fighting. Starting out as a wrestler, then discovering, "the damage I could do with my hands"; using boxing, then discovering the importance of learning submission defence after getting submitted in a toe hold.
I great look and insight from a true legend in the sport of MMA. Jens best fighting day are behind him not, this book is a great look at where he came from to what he achieved. A truly inspirational book. I would recommend it to anyone.
Jens is open and honest about his family life and the abusive environment he grew up in. Like many he found an escape and a release in the form of sport in his case wrestling, unlike many Jens determination and ability to overcome any obstacle, in some cases owing up and making a mends for his own mistakes allowed him to have a successful life, career, make new friends and adopting a new family. He managed to build bridges and in some cases banish the demons of his past, towards setting down with a new family of his own. This book finishes before Jens' attempted returns to the UFC, and his fights in the WEC.
This is also a great book for MMA historians, as most MMA books he give a brief history of MMA and Royce Gracie, and the early days of the UFC. At the time when MMA was still style vs. style. Jens talks about his own evaluation in fighting. Starting out as a wrestler, then discovering, "the damage I could do with my hands"; using boxing, then discovering the importance of learning submission defence after getting submitted in a toe hold.
I great look and insight from a true legend in the sport of MMA. Jens best fighting day are behind him not, this book is a great look at where he came from to what he achieved. A truly inspirational book. I would recommend it to anyone.
August 18, 2023
Little Evil
Jens Pulver
Genre: Autobiography/Sports
Possibly triggering Topics: Childhood Trauma, Parental Abuse, Mentions of Alcohol Abuse and Drugs
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Synopsis
'Little Evil is a gripping and true tale of father and son, of what betrayal does to the young and drives them to do, and of how one determined man shattered the chains of his childhood and rose to the top, becoming the lightweight champion of the UFC.'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When first opening 'Little Evil', I knew nothing about MMA or Jens Pulver, and it isn't usually a subject i'd look at, but the book was recommended to me with words that were along the lines of 'If you're feeling in a slump and in need of a bit of hope to push on, this is one to read', and after turning that final page, I couldn't agree more.
Pulver certainly knows how to write a very gripping opening; The first chapter drops the reader into a sad, fearful, and abusive memory. As shocking and honestly heartbreaking as it was to read such a scene, it immediately set the tone of the book and I couldn't help but want to read more, just as eager as the writer to see them get out of that situation.
The rest of the book after that first chapter was just an emotional rollercoaster - this book ripped me apart and put me back together several times.
The writing is rather simple, but still beautifully written. NOTHING is left unsaid, the book is so open and honest and it often felt as if Pulver left pieces of his frustration, sadness, fear, AND hope between the pages.
Just for an example of the writing, these are two fairly early sentences that were so raw in emotion that I'm sure they resonated with many readers just as much as they did with me:
Jens Pulver experienced a very difficult life - his upbringing was enough to completely break a person and leave them laying in the gutter. Jens had every reason to fall into a life of alcohol and drugs, but with his dermination to change his life, and with the encouraging, helping hands of various mentors and friends, he pulled himself from the darkest of places and went on to live his dream as a champion.
Not only that, but he went back into studying and majored in criminal justice with the plan to work with troubled youths after his own experiences with living in a ghetto - Instead of completely leaving that side of his life behind, he chose to try to better the lives of people stuck in situations just like his own, and that is commendable.
I got a deep sense of found family from this book. You can't help who brings you into the world, but you can definitely choose who remains in it - and the right people can help to change your life in amazing ways if you're open to it.
Mentioning too much about the contents of the book itself will ruin much for the reader, I can only recommend that anyone (Lovers of MMA history or not) should give this inspirtational story a read.
Jens Pulver
Genre: Autobiography/Sports
Possibly triggering Topics: Childhood Trauma, Parental Abuse, Mentions of Alcohol Abuse and Drugs
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Synopsis
'Little Evil is a gripping and true tale of father and son, of what betrayal does to the young and drives them to do, and of how one determined man shattered the chains of his childhood and rose to the top, becoming the lightweight champion of the UFC.'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When first opening 'Little Evil', I knew nothing about MMA or Jens Pulver, and it isn't usually a subject i'd look at, but the book was recommended to me with words that were along the lines of 'If you're feeling in a slump and in need of a bit of hope to push on, this is one to read', and after turning that final page, I couldn't agree more.
Pulver certainly knows how to write a very gripping opening; The first chapter drops the reader into a sad, fearful, and abusive memory. As shocking and honestly heartbreaking as it was to read such a scene, it immediately set the tone of the book and I couldn't help but want to read more, just as eager as the writer to see them get out of that situation.
The rest of the book after that first chapter was just an emotional rollercoaster - this book ripped me apart and put me back together several times.
The writing is rather simple, but still beautifully written. NOTHING is left unsaid, the book is so open and honest and it often felt as if Pulver left pieces of his frustration, sadness, fear, AND hope between the pages.
Just for an example of the writing, these are two fairly early sentences that were so raw in emotion that I'm sure they resonated with many readers just as much as they did with me:
“I was realistic enough to know that while some can make a life out of it, others get pushed under. They give in to darker temptations and soon every day is a battle. At that point, I’d already battled enough. I just wanted to move towards a future that wasn’t filled with pain.”
“I had expelled from my life the man who had helped to bring me into this world, and although it was something I had to do, it pained me in a way I can’t describe”
Jens Pulver experienced a very difficult life - his upbringing was enough to completely break a person and leave them laying in the gutter. Jens had every reason to fall into a life of alcohol and drugs, but with his dermination to change his life, and with the encouraging, helping hands of various mentors and friends, he pulled himself from the darkest of places and went on to live his dream as a champion.
Not only that, but he went back into studying and majored in criminal justice with the plan to work with troubled youths after his own experiences with living in a ghetto - Instead of completely leaving that side of his life behind, he chose to try to better the lives of people stuck in situations just like his own, and that is commendable.
I got a deep sense of found family from this book. You can't help who brings you into the world, but you can definitely choose who remains in it - and the right people can help to change your life in amazing ways if you're open to it.
Mentioning too much about the contents of the book itself will ruin much for the reader, I can only recommend that anyone (Lovers of MMA history or not) should give this inspirtational story a read.
September 4, 2021
I have a vivid memory of Jens Pulver fights. His infamous feuds with BJ Penn, The Ultimate Fighter season 5 and his WEC days. As a fan of lighter weight divisions, he had always been an exciting fighter in win, lose or draw. What I couldn't recall before commencing this book was his story of childhood and being abused by his father and the nightmare life that was drowned in and eventually overcamed.
The book isn't just about his fighting career, but more about surviving hardships of life and perseverance. A great listen.
//
The book isn't just about his fighting career, but more about surviving hardships of life and perseverance. A great listen.
//
November 21, 2019
Although this only covers up until Pulver's first title defense against BJ Penn, it is a pretty amazing read. Really easy read too. Much more well written than I anticipated. Jens had quite the harrowing childhood and really had to pull himself out of a tough life to get where he was. This is an impressive tale of the ups and downs of his life. He doesn't hide anything and admits his shortcomings readily. There's a lot of humility in these pages, which is great to see.
An admirable story.
An admirable story.
December 7, 2023
A very sad and moving tale told simply and clearly
April 16, 2010
This was the original MMA fighter autobiography. Jens's was the 1st MMA fighter to tell his story.
When "Little Evil" was written, was shortly after Jens Pulver defended his championship belt against then up and coming fighter(& future champion) B.J. Penn!
Jens went through hell as a kid. He had every reason to become just another punk kid, with no direction in life dealing drugs and drinking. But lucky for him, he found wrestling and had alot of great coaches & mentors direct him to a life worth living for.
Since this book was written however Jens Pulver lost his belt, as do all champions eventually. He will always be one of the original UFC fighters and always a legend. Jens is now training again and fighting in the WEC, he already lost one title shot against Urijah Faber, but the rematch is coming soon!
As an avid fan of MMA, I think Jens still has alot of fight in him and he will be around for awhile and his legendary left hand is as strong as ever!
Good short book for any MMA fans!
When "Little Evil" was written, was shortly after Jens Pulver defended his championship belt against then up and coming fighter(& future champion) B.J. Penn!
Jens went through hell as a kid. He had every reason to become just another punk kid, with no direction in life dealing drugs and drinking. But lucky for him, he found wrestling and had alot of great coaches & mentors direct him to a life worth living for.
Since this book was written however Jens Pulver lost his belt, as do all champions eventually. He will always be one of the original UFC fighters and always a legend. Jens is now training again and fighting in the WEC, he already lost one title shot against Urijah Faber, but the rematch is coming soon!
As an avid fan of MMA, I think Jens still has alot of fight in him and he will be around for awhile and his legendary left hand is as strong as ever!
Good short book for any MMA fans!
April 20, 2009
UFC Series Ranking: 1/3.
This book constituted the final installment of my UFC book series.
This book was the best of either one. I knew a little about Jens Pulver and his fighting career. After reading this book, I realized I had no clue about his personal life.
The story Pulver chronicles about his life are heartwrenching. This guy went through a lot. The good news is that no matter if life or his opponent knocks him down, he gets back up.
I would recommend this book even to people who aren't fans of the UFC. Pulver writes well. (Or at least has editors who help him write well. The same can't be said for Matt Hughes.)
This book constituted the final installment of my UFC book series.
This book was the best of either one. I knew a little about Jens Pulver and his fighting career. After reading this book, I realized I had no clue about his personal life.
The story Pulver chronicles about his life are heartwrenching. This guy went through a lot. The good news is that no matter if life or his opponent knocks him down, he gets back up.
I would recommend this book even to people who aren't fans of the UFC. Pulver writes well. (Or at least has editors who help him write well. The same can't be said for Matt Hughes.)
November 10, 2009
A short, sharp, shocking read from the former UFC lightweight champion Jens Pulver. His story grabs you from the beginning because it’s written in gut wrenching detail about the terrifying abuse he suffered as a child. Eventually Pulver finds a salvation first through wrestling and later MMA under the guidance of Bob Shamrock, and later Pat Miletich.
The training for his Octagon matches is a little glossed over and more details about his fights could have been added too, particularly his first epic battle with B. J. Penn, nevertheless, a gripping story and a moving read. Strong stuff.
The training for his Octagon matches is a little glossed over and more details about his fights could have been added too, particularly his first epic battle with B. J. Penn, nevertheless, a gripping story and a moving read. Strong stuff.
July 31, 2025
Great book and inside to the mind and psychology of Jens Pulver and what made him what he is, a champion. The book opens up really fast and has the reader stunned by the horrific upbringing and childhood and Jens and his brothers. He isn’t afraid to talk about self doubt and mistakes made and revelations in his life. He goes in depth on his harsh life and isn’t afraid to sugar coat anything. I would recommend this book to anyone that’s an mma fan or someone who has grew up with abuse showing that you can break the cycle and become a great man and now father that Jens is.
June 15, 2013
Short and inspirational real-life account of MMA fighter Jens Pulver's rise to the top of the UFC's newly installed lightweight division. A well-written and heart-wrenching account of Jens' survival of a traumatizing childhood. The book speaks to how anyone can achieve success with strength and discipline, no matter how horrbile the odds. An inspiring story about life for non-MMA fans and fanatics alike.
The book is more the personal story of Jens set against the backdrop of MMA.
The book is more the personal story of Jens set against the backdrop of MMA.
April 5, 2008
This is the true story of Jens Pulver, the MMA fighter. Jens was physically and mentally abused by his father for most of his childhood. This is an inspiring story for anyone to read, whether you are interested in MMA or not, I would recommend it to anyone and everyone. It is a story about real life.
February 14, 2016
emotional book about jens' life with an extremely abusive father.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews