This memoir is the culmination of Fiaz Rafiq's two decades of work behind the scenes as a sports journalist, gaining the trust and confidence of the best fighters in boxing and MMA. The result is a fascinating odyssey, a coming-of-age story populated by some of the most colorful characters in the world of sports and entertainment.

A riveting memoir by acclaimed combat sports and entertainment journalist Fiaz Rafiq, as he shares captivating stories of fighting legends and entertainment stars alongside the story of his own personal hardships, struggles against prejudice, and ultimate triumph.

Fighting against the Odds is the culmination of Fiaz Rafiq’s decades of work behind the scenes as a mixed martial arts and combat sports journalist, gaining the trust and confidence of the best fighters in UFC and boxing. Rafiq shares candid accounts, hidden histories, and thrilling experiences from his time with some of the most famous and prominent personalities in fighting sports. Included are never-before-told stories of UFC’s most decorated and revered champions in Randy Couture, Royce Gracie, Daniel Cormier, Brock Lesnar, Georges St-Pierre, and Conor McGregor and boxing and martial arts icons such as Mike Tyson, Muhammad Ali, and Bruce Lee.

Reaching the pinnacle of his career was anything but a smooth ride for Rafiq. The writer faced adversities, obstacles, and even harassment at American airports. Fighting against the Odds is a fascinating odyssey, one man’s inspiring coming-of-age story populated by some of the most colorful characters in the world of sports and entertainment. It is a powerful story of hard work, tenacity, and success against overwhelming odds.

Acknowledgments

Foreword

Preface

One: Crazy Obsessions

Two: It’s A Man’s World

Three: Feeling Despondent

Four: The American Dream

Five: Enter the Gracies

Six: Returning to Los Angeles

Seven: Enter the Journalist

Eight: UFC Assignment

Nine: Realer than the UFC

Ten: The Giants

Eleven: Hollywood, Here We Come!

Twelve: Home Sweet Home

Thirteen: Sport of MMA Hits Mainstream

Fourteen: Ringside and Brock ‘The Beast’ Lesnar

Fifteen: UFC 105 Encounters

Sixteen: Boxing V UFC: Tyson-Gracie Challenge

Seventeen: UFC, Royals and Rich Arabs

Eighteen: Mike, Managers and Me

Nineteen: Muhammad Ali Encounters

Twenty: Martial Arts to Movie Magic

Twenty-One: I’ll Be Back

Twenty-Two: From Hospitality to MMA Chaos

Twenty-Three: Adventures In New York

Twenty-Four: Las Vegas

Twenty-Five Canada: MMA Mad

Twenty-Six: The Massive MMA Fiasco

Twenty-Seven: I’m No Terrorist

Twenty-Eight: Racism to Road Rage

Twenty-Nine: Mr Rocky

Thirty: Bruce Lee: Enter the Ring

Thirty-One: Enter the Octagon

Thirty-Two: Old School Meets New

Thirty-Three: Challenging Conor McGregor

Thirty-Four: Tough Man Tales

Thirty-Five: Notorious

Thirty-Six: Meeting with an Underworld Figure

Thirty-Seven: Perils of Sports Fame

Thirty-Eight: Michael, Matt and Martial Arts

Thirty-Nine: A New Direction: New World

Forty: Flying High

Forty-One: A Tumultuous Year

Epilogue

Author’s Note

About the Author

Index