Unlocking the Cage, Mark Tullius
Unlocking the Cage, Mark Tullius
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Unlocking the Cage
Exploring the Motivations of MMA Fighters

Author: Mark Tullius

Narrator: Tee Quillin

Unabridged: 11 hr 44 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Vincere Press

Published: 03/27/2020


Synopsis

The cage door clangs shut. The lock slides into place. The voice in my head drowns out everything else. What the hell is wrong with me?Follow the journey of Mark Tullius, former cage fighter and boxer turned author and stay-at-home dad as he puts his love of fighting and his sociology degree to use. What began as a personal exploration to unlock his reasons for continuing to train and pursue a fight career evolved into an in-depth sociological study of why competing in mixed martial arts (MMA) appeals to fighters. Why do these men and women subject themselves to the endless hours of grueling training required for the full-contact sport? In MMA a fighter's goal is to punch, kick, and choke an opponent into submission, and if there is blood and injury along the way, so be it. What compels these individuals to develop the necessary strength, endurance, discipline, and skill despite the risks involved?Instead of interviewing a handful of elite fighters, Mark traveled to every corner of the country, looking to train at different gyms and find fighters interested in showing the world who they are and why they fight. He finished the project after visiting 100 gyms and interviewing 340 fighters.Although it wasn't necessary, Tullius trained with the fighters and soon came to realize how valuable that time was, cultivating mental strength by surrounding himself with positive and inspiring individuals. It encouraged him to continue his project when he still had doubts about seeing it to its completion. Finally, Tullius believed that his willingness to get on the mat and demonstrate his trust in the fighters encouraged them to trust him and open up to a stranger about their fears and mistakes, dreams and accomplishments.

About Mark Tullius

"If you want to get to know me and my writing, come check out my podcast Vicious Whispers. I’m an open book and have no issues being vulnerable, looking at my mental health and other struggles. As a reward for making it through my babbling, I share my short horror stories, chapters from science fiction and suspense novels, as well as excerpts from nonfiction at the end of each episode.

My writing covers a wide range, with fiction being my favorite to create, a dozen or so titles under my belt. There are 4 titles in my YA interactive Try Not to Die series and 16 more in the works. I also have two nonfiction titles, both inspired by a reckless lifestyle, playing Ivy League football, and battering the hell out of my brain as an unsuccessful MMA fighter and boxer. Unlocking the Cage is the largest sociological study of MMA fighters to date and TBI or CTE aims to spread awareness and hope to others that suffer with traumatic brain injury symptoms.

I live in sunny California with my wife, two kids, three cats, and one demon. Derek, he pops in whenever he’s tired of hell and wants to smoke weed. He makes special appearance on my podcast, social media, and special Facebook reader group Dark and Disturbing Fear-Filled Fiction.

You can also get your first set of free stories by signing up to my newsletter. This letter is only for the brave, or at least those brave enough to deal with bad dad jokes, a crude sense of humor, and loads and loads of death.

Derek and I would love to have you join us!

For the newsletter, YouTube page, podcast and more go to https://youcanfollow.me/MarkTullius"


Reviews

Goodreads review by Quintin on September 04, 2017

I decided to read this books in hopes of getting a better understanding of my estranged brother who was a MMA fighter. The core question posed by Mark Tullius is why do people compete in MMA? I found that the best answer was given by Bill Mahoney very early in the book: "Some guys fight for suppleme......more

Goodreads review by Schuyler on September 03, 2017

Mark Tullius appears to be a restless soul searching for his calling, his sense of place, and the creation of a thorough study of mixed martial arts, the latter an enterprise he indulged in for a few years. Eventually the headshots, body twisting, and brutal training transformed him into a spectator......more

Goodreads review by Crystal on January 14, 2025

Mark Tullius dives into a personal project where he dives into the world of MMA and why people fight. I really enjoyed reading about the interviews, and Mark's writing style always draws me in whether he is writing fiction or nonfiction.......more

Goodreads review by Deb on October 15, 2018

Why do people compete in MMA? That is the premise of the book. In the book blurb it says “Unlocking the Cage takes readers into the gyms and into the minds of the fighters” and it was that line that drew me to this book. I have been a UFC fan for years, before it became mainstream, and now with UFC s......more