The Mauler

by Alexander Gustafsson

As told to Leif Eriksson and Martin Svensson.

Alexander Gustafsson grew up in Arboga, a small town in Sweden. A country boy, he started boxing when he was 10 - winning the national youth medal at the age of 16. After a handful of run-ins with the law he began practicing mixed martial arts and working his way up the ranks of the UFC.

Nicknamed The Mauler by his training partners, due to his power, killer instinct and somewhat recklessness whilst fighting; this is the story of Gustafssons struggle to succeed in one of the world's most challenging sports. Family, friends, and the Christian faith all play decisive rolls. But above all, it's Alexander's unique talent for martial arts which, in just a few short years, sees him become one of the UFC's main poster boys.

The Mauler is a frank and at times painful account of a young man rapidly heading off the rails, and of his fight to reach the top of his game in an effort to change his life forever.

Genres: Mixed Martial Arts

203 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 25, 2016

Reviews

[Hanna Wilhelmi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tough to get into because of the poor language, but even harder to stop reading because of the interesting story.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

From smashing milk bottles over people’s heads, flinging pizzas at rival gangs and getting into brawls with bikers at a barn party, Alexander Gustafsson has well and truly lived a life. This book recounts his wild early years leading to a prison sentence, before he began diving and martial arts, the latter saving his life. Although short this autobiography isn’t lacking on interesting tales by any stretch. His martial arts career and time in San Diego is discussed in depth and his attitude towards the sport is authentic and eye opening. A must read for any MMA fan.

[Mehrzad · Rating 3 out of 5]

It could be something lost in translation here, but I think being stuck in limited number of grammar tenses, sentence structure and vocabulary, made the experience of listening to this audiobook a bit lackadaisical. Aside from that, another good MMA/fighter autobiography. If you're neither a fan of Alexander Gustafsson, nor Swedish, this book isn't for you, but if you are, it's a good read/listen overall.

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[Aleks · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I have always believed that what drives me is the need to win, to be the best at what I do and to know that other people think I am the best too. But everything I do, everything I have around me is tied to the sport. I feel that if I can't carry on with it, the only thing that ever took me anywhere, I'll lose it all and slide back into old habits.

That fear is what really drives me."

[The Void of Abyss · Rating 4 out of 5]

I

[Ludvig Svanberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spännande livshistoria

[Ivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

good read for an MMA fan. many spelling mistakes, though