Part Reptile: UFC, MMA and Me

by Dan Hardy

For fans of Ronda Rousey's My Fight Your Fight and John Kavanagh's Win or Learn comes the first book from UFC fighter and now analyst Dan Hardy, who will lift the lid on his own career, give his views on other MMA competitors such as Conor McGregor, Michael Bisping, Georges St-Pierre, Nate Diaz and Amanda Nunes, and discuss just what it takes to compete in the most brutal and competitive sport in the world. Dan Hardy's first book is much more than a straightforward MMA autobiography. Taking the key fights from his career, Hardy explores the sport with the unparalleled insight which has made him the best analyst working today.From training in China with Shaolin monks, to how MMA helped him channel his rage, to psychedelic drugs and the ceremony in Peru that changed his life, to tapping into his 'reptilian brain' and the psychological warfare of UFC, to his epic title fight with Georges St-Pierre and the dark side of the sport, no stone is left unturned.Hardy also speaks eloquently of the heart condition that forced him to stop fighting, the road to recovery, and the evolution of a sport that flies in the face of mainstream disapproval to entertain and thrill millions of obsessives around the globe.

Genres: Mixed Martial Arts, Martial Arts, Nonfiction, Autobiography

320 pages, Paperback

Published March 23, 2017

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Khurram · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book. I am not a huge fan of Dan Hardy. Actually I gained more respect for Dan in his first couple of losses in the UFC. The first was against the great GSP where he showed amazing resilience, then his KO loss to Carlos Conduit where he showed his class in defeat. I gained even more respect for Dan after reading this book.

I just want to point out as much as I like Dan's philosophies and idea about martial arts and fighting. I do not agree with all his methods. However, to play devils advocate, almost every warrior culture uses a type of stimulus in their meditations or vision quests. Be it insense or plant based herbs similar to the one Dan talks about.

The book covers Dan's journey and thought process on a being a Martial Artist and being a fighter. I know exactly how Dan feels in regards to Martial Arts training in the U.K. I am a few years older than Dan, so in my time if you were not playing Football or Cricket people like me were not considered athletes. Even a lot of the traditional Martial Arts did not appeal to me till I found Kickboxing and never looked back. I found the form unpractical for me and when I tried it in the playground that backed up my opinion. I wished I had found Kickboxing then.

This is a great book about Dan Hardy the Martial artist, his journey, his philosophies but where the book falls down is talking about his family. We do find out why is granddad meant so much to him but the rest of his family. An example he says he is really close to his sister then she is not mentioned again till she is cheering for him in the crowd 10 chapters later. Then not again till a lot later. This is the same with almost every family member. I don't think this is intentional but it might just be as he wanted keep it about MMA.

This book is all about Dan's journey about what it is to be a Martial Artist, a fighter, and beyond but also about mental and physical toughness and tapping into the subconscious to find your true self.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

What does it takes to compete in the most brutal and competitive sport in the world?

I had this book pre ordered as soon as i saw it which much to my delight was on my birthday, 19th December 🙂 The book was released on 23rd March 2017 and i can only apologise to Dan Hardy that this has taken me so long to getting round to typing up my review. But better late than never!

I have always been a fan of Dan ‘The Outlaw’ Hardy, from his fights to his more recent commentaries and fight analyses. But you don’t need to be one of his fans to read this book, after reading it you still might not be a fan but you will leave the book with a lot of respect for him as a fighter and as a person and for what he has done for the sport, especially in the UK.

This isn’t just an autobiography, this book takes you into the world of MMA and the UFC, he gives us a really insightful look into the sport, the MMA culture in the early days in the UK, the mind of a fighter and the physicality and the phycology that goes into making an ultimate fighter. The highs and the lows they all must face and overcome to survive in a very tough world.

The book takes us from his training in China with Shaolin monk’s, his dabbles with hallucinogenic plants eventually leading him to shamans in the Amazon forest that changed his life through to some of his biggest fights against some of the sports greats like his epic title fight with Georges St-Pierre and his KO loss to Carlos Conduit where he showed his class in defeat.

You can almost hear Dan Hardy speaking as you read the book as he gives us his personal and honest accounts of his humble beginnings, his low points before, during, and after, and to his rise to fame becoming one of the UFC’s most popular fighters. From his trade mark red mohawk to the heart condition that forced him to stop fighting. He gives a very honest assessment of both himself as a fighter and his attitude towards the sport.

The book shines through with his love for the sport and his natural reptilian analytical mind that has got him to where he is today.

He gives us his thoughts on some of the sports most well-known fighters such as Conor McGregor, Michael Bisping, Georges St-Pierre, Nate Diaz and Amanda Nunes as well as his philosophies and ideas about martial arts and fighting.

He also brings to life what it is like to work for one of the most popular sports organisations at the moment, the UFC, transitioning from fighter to in my opinion the best MMA analyst today.

There is a lot to be learnt from this book, self believe, dedication, hard work and never giving up.

If you are a MMA, UFC fan, this book is a must read and it will give you a better insight into the mind and life of what it is like to live and work in the ever-growing popular sport it has become today.

[Kelly Laan · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, I am a big fan of Dan Hardy and his magical connection to his smartboard. He's a wonderful teacher and analyst, and he was/is a great fighter. His book is easy to read, both a great inside in the mind of a fighter, and the MMA culture in the early days in the UK compared to now. Very enjoyable :)

[Craig Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview of career and background. Also talks about condition that stopped him competing as well as some discussion around his interest in psychedelics and what he got out of it

[Ian Clary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading this book. I first became interested in Hardy as an MMA analyst and hadn't followed his fight career. He is such a smart and incisive commentator, I'm always impressed by his depth of knowledge of MMA. This book explains where he got the expertise and know-how. Hardy details his entrance and rise in the gritty UK MMA scene, how he trained under Shaolin monks in China, and his career in the UFC. What I really appreciate about this book is Hardy's willingness to face his own defeats well, including his big one against George St. Pierre. There's no BS with him, he faces those losses head-on and shows how one grows through and learns from them. The book is remarkably well-written; this is most in display when he chronicles his yacht-race from London to Rio. What a harrowing trip! And not one without injuries and even casualties (on other boats) that made that whole part of his story quite gripping.
I also really appreciated the way Hardy spoke of MMA and the respect and love he has for the sport. He really is a master. We saw this even recently in his confrontation with referee Herb Dean whose late stoppage of a fight saw a fighter take unnecessary damage. Hardy is in it for the love of martial arts and is a great ambassador for it.
Hardy's persona in the Octagon was one of wild violence, but in his personal life he is quite a calm, thoughtful, and respectful man. He reads widely and has interesting thoughts about the world around him. I appreciated his "metaphysical" side as he went down to Peru for certain "ceremonies." That all provided a further depth to his thoughtful side.
All in all, this is a worthwhile book to read, whether you're into MMA or not. I am glad I read it after reading Michael Bisping's memoir, the two complement each other well. Particularly as they give a good insider's look at the British MMA world.

[Adil Hussain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a fan of Dan Hardy's pre-fight and post-fight MMA analysis videos and if his autobiography captured only a fraction of that quality I'd have considered my money well spent. Fortunately it delivers. Just like in his videos he articulates himself well and it's clear he has a way with words. He does a brilliant job of intertwining the evolution of the sport with his own career – from fighting in local events for just a few hundred pounds to the big time in the UFC. I enjoyed looking up his old fights as he described them and looking up individuals that he'd mention during the course of the book – from opponents to training partners to coaches to generally influential individuals in the sport. Overall this was a fun read and, for sure, if you're into the analytical side of martial arts you'll enjoy this book.

[Steven Lloyd · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve met Dan at Hamburg Airport back in 2016, he had a big smile when I made my way over and gave me a few minutes before heading off to catch his flight which I appreciated, and having watched him as a fighter and then an analyst I’ve seen him go strength to strength with thought provoking takes and being able to explain MMA game plans to the layman, however, whereas I enjoyed the book for the most part, I feel there was something missing from the experience of reading about his life and career, I can’t quite put my finger on.
Looking at some other reviews the finger points toward Paul Gibson and his style and potentially not fully understanding Mixed Martial Arts, wether that is the case or not I don’t know, a good book, but not great.

[Cali Edwards · Rating 2 out of 5]

Decent read but I couldn't help but notice that Hardy's voice - which we are so familiar with after his long time in MMA public eye - is filtered here.

I googled the ghost writer and, as suspected, he's a boxing journo who'd barely heard of the UFC before accepting the job. I'm not sure how accepting a job you know you've no business doing and will almost certainly mess up is supposed to work but, whatever, it doesn't work here.

The book is littered with weird references to boxing as the ghost writer drags the narrative back to boxing, where he clearly feels on safer ground.

It's a shame. Hardy has an amazing story to tell and it wasn't told here.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me this was a thoroughly engaging autobiography. I felt like I really got to know the heart of Dan Hardy, and having seen him as a fighter live it was a pleasure to hear the story.

In a world that is so structured and driven by rules it was also amazing to hear about his experiences with psychedelics and how he felt that they really developed him not just as as a fighter but as a person.

For an MMA fan this is a great book - however I would suggest that you would need to be a fan of MMA or the UFC.

[Mehrzad · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite welterweight fighters, digs dip into the story of British MMA pioneers, his life and career, and psychedelic experiences. Up until the penultimate chapter, it was a solid 4 stars, the story itself, giving the details of fight preparation and the process of trial and error with great narration. But then comes the psychedelics chapter, connecting the dots of his life, career and mindset from different point of views. The realness of this chapter made it like a an hour and a half journey through philosophy, psychology, in addition to inquiring within his character.

//

[Liam McGrath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a fan of MMA and Dan as an analyst, this may be slightly biased. But I would highly recommend this book to any one with even a vague interest in sports, to get an in depth look into the mindset of an athlete and competitor.

There is a lot to take from this book, which can be applied in anyone’s life. Dan really goes into detail into specific aspects and rituals that most would not in an autobiography.

[Ta0paipai · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great read for any MMA fan. Hardy gives an honest account of his life in mma and establishes a friendly, entertaining tone throughout. As a longtime fan, it was a nice trip down memory lane! If the book underwent crisp editing it would have made for smoother reading, but that's a problem too common in mma books.

[JOHN MITCHELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great Read for all Martial Artists

A well-written and thoughtful autobiography. Hardy' s candid and open approach helps this book transcend the standard fare of fighters stories. A lifelong student of martial arts and more importantly perhaps, the art of life, Hardy highlights the dichotomy of a fighters life with his nod to the reptile within us all.

[Jason Weber · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Never was a big fan of Hardy back in the UFC days, was indifferent towards him. I am a bigger fan after reading his book. Dan is a true Martial Artist and his story is worth reading if you are a Martial Arts/ MMA fan.

[Mike Casson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very much enjoyed the book, I have always been a fan of Dan’s and followed him through his career, an MMA Renaissance man who has made the best of every situation (especially the bad ones) to become one of the best MMA commentators in the business.

[Morad · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. A great biography of one of my favourite martial artists.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was easy reading, I like marshal arts and I always like to read story of successful people.

[Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite books I have ever read

[Dougie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read for MMA fans

A great insight into a great fighter and martial artist.highly recommended for fans of the sport or those even curious.

[Rob Crump · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a big Dan Hardy fan. I loved reading his journey and experiences in MMA. A good read for any MMA enthusiast.

[Gina Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my usual read but very interesting and makes you grow to appreciate the hard work that fighters go through.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one.. The ups the downs and particularly the spirital encounters

[Dean Ireland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knew very little about Dan Hardy. But a really easy and enjoyable read. One of the best MMA fighter books I’ve read so far

[Sejong · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am an avid martial arts and UFC fan, and I actually had the pleasure of briefly meeting Dan Hardy following his UFC debut. A family member must have remembered that anecdote when they bought me Hardy's autobiography as a stocking filler this past Christmas.

Part Reptile is, as sports autobiographies go, an easy and enjoyable read. Hardy is a British, working class lad who has never really known a life beyond fighting. The book can be split, roughly, into three subsections.

The first chronicles Hardy's life prior to the UFC, and this is the portion I found most interesting. Hardy lets us in on just how much the martial arts dominated his early life, and the trials and tribulations of trying to make a living in a burgeoning sport in its infancy.

The second section deals with Hardy's UFC career, and offers some interesting insights into Hardy's mindset and training regiment during these golden years.

The final section offers a glimpse into Hardy's post-UFC life, which I found a little too akin to an ayahuasca-inspired episode of 'The Joe Rogan Experience'.

Overall, a decent read.

[Oliver Bateman · Rating 5 out of 5]

about what you'd expect from hardy, an "alternative" sort of figure who is nevertheless probably the most technically sound of the ufc color commentators. he had a similarly thoughtful approach to his cultural consumption and fight training (traveling to china to live in a temple!) even if his lack of a ground game and bad ticker ended his career early. highly recommended .