Forrest Griffin

Forrest Griffin is a retired mixed martial artist and author who gained prominence as the winner of the first season of The Ultimate Fighter reality show in 2005. His fighting career in the UFC spanned from 2005-2012, during which he became UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. Beyond his fighting career, Griffin established himself as an author of comedic non-fiction books about mixed martial arts and fighting. His first book, "Got Fight?: The 50 Zen Principles of Hand-to-Face Combat" (2009), became a New York Times bestseller. He followed this with "Be Ready When the Sh*t Goes Down: A Survival Guide to the Apocalypse" (2010). Griffin's writing style combines practical fighting knowledge with irreverent humor and pop culture references. While continuing to write, he has also worked as a police officer in Georgia and serves as Vice President of Athlete Development at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas. His books have helped bridge the gap between mixed martial arts and mainstream audiences, making the sport more accessible to casual readers through his distinctive blend of comedy and technical insight.

Reader reviews portray Griffin's writing as humorous and irreverent, with an authentic voice that matches his MMA personality. His books Got Fight? and Be Ready When the Sh*t Goes Down have 4.4/5 stars on Amazon across 500+ reviews. Readers appreciate: - Raw, uncensored storytelling - Training tips mixed with personal anecdotes - Self-deprecating humor - Casual, conversational writing style Common criticisms: - Disorganized structure - Too much rambling/tangents - Juvenile humor that can feel forced - Limited appeal beyond MMA fans On Goodreads, Got Fight? holds a 3.9/5 from 2,000+ ratings. Readers note it reads like "having a conversation with Forrest" though some found the comedy "tries too hard." Reviews frequently mention the book working better as entertainment than a serious fighting manual. The audiobook versions receive particular praise, with listeners saying Griffin's narration adds authenticity and improves the comedic timing.

Got Fight?: The 50 Zen Principles of Hand-to-Face Combat (2009) A collection of personal stories and fighting principles from Griffin's mixed martial arts career, including training methods and life lessons.

Be Ready When the Sh*t Goes Down: A Survival Guide to the Apocalypse (2010) A satirical survival manual that combines humor with practical advice about preparing for various disaster scenarios.

Make Success Your B*tch: A 31-Day Plan to Stop Being a Loser and Turn Your Life Around (2019) A self-help book that outlines daily tasks and challenges designed to improve personal development and goal achievement.