Book Review: Total MMA by Jonathan Snowden
Posted by Tommy Hackett on December 13th, 2008
A few years ago, Jonathan Snowden, an attorney-turned-soldier in the US Army, looked for a substantial book on the rise of mixed martial arts.
Unable to find one, he wrote one himself.
Total MMA: Inside Ultimate Fighting is Snowden’s attempt to offer a complete history of MMA, from its roots in Brazilian vale tudo to today’s “Ultimate Fighter.” More accurately, it offers one man’s ideas of the highlights which made the sports what it is today. While much of that material is already available on the internet and may be familiar to long time fans, Total MMA also includes some excellent new and original material. This is a book for everyone who loves MMA.
The book offers plenty for even a longtime fan like myself. An early chapter where Snowden tracks down Bob Meyrowitz and Campbell McClaren to discuss the early days of the UFC was a particular highlight. The author clearly has a ton of fun here, with everything from the company’s oddball opening (noting that “the UFC began not with a bang but a belch”) to SEG’s eventual decline. A particularly strong account of the early days of the Lions Den follows, including both sides of Frank Shamrock’s departure and is presented with the help of its best fighters. Japan’s pro wrestling organization UWF-I and their attempt at attaining legitimate respect, and how it led to the birth of PRIDE, is detailed in another particularly strong chapter.
The book moves into more familiar territory with the rise of the ZUFFA era UFC. Snowden is quite critical of ZUFFA, describing Fertitta as a man running illicit gambling operations and name dropping White’s “Boxercise” experience in an early joke. But, he is also quick to compliment their dedication to the sport and its fans.
Throughout Total-MMA, the author reveals himself to be more passionate about some aspects of MMA than others (perhaps an entire chapter on Bob Sapp would seem a bit much?). But to his credit, he gives everyone at least some fighting chance to get their two cents in. Snowden isn’t afraid to kill a sacred cow, nor is he afraid to give the devil his due.
We’ve never met, but Snowden and I have been in contact for years, including our work together on this website (he’s since moved on to paying gigs — go figure). We’ve argued back and forth about some of the opinions he shares in the book. For example, I find Pancrase to be less relevant to MMA history than Snowden implies; and Shooto, which barely merits mention here, much more important than he does.
Snowden is undeniably a talented writer who has done his research, and the work here is impressive. Here he has assembled what is possibly the best way for a new fan to familiarize him or herself with the sport’s history and offers some good insight for the longtime fan as well. Total MMA is simply a beautifully assembled book, priced under $20 at more than 400 pages. It’s chock full of excellent material and an easy recommendation to buy.