Limited Time Only: Holiday MMA Book Deals from Black Mesa
Black Mesa is now offering holiday promotions on MMA books authored by Zac Robinson: Mixed Martial Arts IQ (Volume I), Ranger Up Presents Mixed Martial Arts IQ (Volume II) and From the Fields to the Garden: The Life of Stitch Duran. Use the PayPal links below to take advantage of these incredible deals – offers are good only until December 1. Books are in stock and will ship immediately.
Mixed Martial Arts IQ (Volumes I & II) for only $11.95 (a savings of $11.95 off the suggested $23.90 retail).
From the Fields to the Garden: The Life of Stitch Duran + Mixed Martial Arts IQ (Volumes I & II) for only $17.95 (a savings of $22.90 off the suggested $40.85 retail).
An Interview with Author Zac Robinson
Zac Robinson is best known for collaborating with legendary cutman Stitch Duran to write From the Fields to the Garden: The Life of Stitch Duran. Long before he began his writing career, Zac was a collegiate baseball star in his home state of Oklahoma. He remains a passionate sports fan – most notably baseball and MMA – and a diehard Texas Rangers fan.
Black Mesa author Zac Robinson with Stitch Duran and Dana White.
Zac began writing for the Sports by the Numbers series in 2007 and he teamed up with Black Mesa for the first time in 2009. In addition to his books, Zac contributes regularly to Fighters Only Magazine and Train Hard Fight Easy. Recently Zac sat down with fellow author Tucker Elliot to discuss past books, sports and future plans.
Tucker Elliot: People often have this image in mind that if you’re a writer you must be hiding away behind a desk and a closed door, working in solitude – but you’ve been anything but that. For your MMA “research” and when you were writing Stitch Duran’s memoir you were jet-setting to Vegas, London, Manchester and various other cities for UFC and boxing events. Are your experiences from the last 6-7 years anything close to what you imagined life would be like as an author?
Zac Robinson: It has been a pretty wild six or seven years. I decided that if I was going to write books about combat sports the best thing to do (other than actually fighting) was to immerse myself in it. I’ve spent time at many UFC/MMA events and boxing events and it’s been incredible. I’ve done book signings in Oberhausen, Germany, London, and Las Vegas, and got to go on a live show on the Las Vegas Strip. I’ve met a ton of MMA stars and even spent time hanging out with the Klitschko brothers and Hayden Panettiere. I don’t think I could have imagined it the way it has turned out. There are times when I’m hidden away and working, but the research has been really fun!
TE: What’s Stitch up to these days?
ZR: Stitch is still circling the globe working events. We work together from time to time on magazine articles and he told me last week that he is booked every weekend for the next three months. He just got back from visiting service members in Afghanistan and loved it. He’s a big supporter of the military.
TE: We’ve been crossing paths for years and I know your goal as an author was always to write fiction. You got your first break by blogging about MMA and that led to several non-fiction books – but now you’re writing some great fiction. What challenges did you face making that transition?
ZR: Writing is writing, and the more you write the better you’ll get, but there are some differences between fiction and non-fiction. It took me a while to really grasp those differences and learn how to frame the book just right. In some ways fiction is easier because it is less restrictive. You can create the world instead of having to write about a world that is already there.
TE: People who know you personally will recognize that some of the places you’ve lived and traveled appear prominently in your writing. I think readers who don’t know that part of your life would be interested to gain that context – so can you share some of the places and experiences they should be on the lookout for when reading your books?
ZR: I’m from a small town in Oklahoma, so it is featured in some of my writing. Now I live in Germany and have the opportunity to travel throughout Europe, so readers can expect to see that. I’ve got story ideas for Munich and Mallorca. And then I’m sure Las Vegas will be featured in future writings. I love going there and have many friends who live there.
TE: We’re both baseball fanatics – any thoughts on your Texas Rangers?
ZR: Although disappointing in the end, the Rangers had a better year than I expected. They have a lot of money this off season and players to move; definitely need to pick up some key components. If they do that, I expect to see them in the hunt again next year. I know I can’t wait for the season to start!
TE: What’s next? Any big projects we should be looking for down the road?
ZR: I’ve been working with retired UFC fighter Cole Escovedo. He has an amazing story of battling back after a Staph infection that nearly left him paralyzed. He wasn’t even supposed to walk again without a walker, and yet he managed to step into the cage and fight three years after the emergency surgery. His book will hopefully be available by spring.
Connect with Zac via Twitter: @ZacRobinson or @TheComeback1
Connect with Zac on Amazon for more information on the following Black Mesa titles:
Mixed Martial Arts IQ (Volume I)
Ranger Up Presents Mixed Martial Arts IQ (Volume II)
From the Fields to the Garden: The Life of Stitch Duran
San Francisco Giants: An Interactive Guide to the World of Sports
Texas Rangers: An Interactive Guide to the World of Sports
ALSO BY ZAC ROBINSON
Mixed Martial Arts: An Interactive Guide to the World of Sports
The Comeback
All Tapped Out
Would You…
PRAISE FOR ZAC ROBINSON’S BOOKS
THE COMEBACK
“Zac Robinson has created another masterpiece. When you read THE COMEBACK you’ll be able to identify five or six of your favorite fighters who have lived bits and pieces of the life of Zane Todd. I freaking love it!”
Jacob “Stitch” Duran – UFC/boxing cutman
“Everyone who competes in MMA fights for something but only few fight for everything. THE COMEBACK will remind you just what true courage and determination can accomplish.”
Goze Garcia – MMA Junkie Radio
“Raw, gritty, possibly closer to reality than I’d like to admit. This book evokes emotions from the reader without begging for you to care. Fighting for a living isn’t always what it seems, something you’ll realize firsthand as you follow the life of a former champion struggling to make ends meet. Despite his battle with pain killers and his crazy ex-girlfriend, Zane continues to make a comeback, not to heal his wounded ego or to reclaim some of his lost fame, but to gain full custody of his one true love – his daughter, Sam.”
Jason Moles – Cagepotato.com
“This narrative takes you deeper than the cage, showing more than just the fight. The father, the broken relationship, the trials and tribulations of a forgotten fighter and the comeback. A realistic, epic journey with a father and his daughter.”
Chris Shanks – Yourmma.tv
FROM THE FIELDS TO THE GARDEN: THE LIFE OF STITCH DURAN
From the Fields to the Garden (Zac Robinson, Stitch Duran).
“Stitch is fast becoming an icon to both MMA and boxing … he is admired by his fans and his peers. When the blood flows, Stitch knows just what to do.”
Bruce Buffer
“Stitch’s tape jobs are so pretty you almost hate to punch someone in the face with them! His experience and expertise in the fight game is a rare commodity.”
Randy Couture
“I wouldn’t trade Stitch for anything! He is part of me in every aspect of my fight career. Teacher, friend, cornerman all rolled into one.”
Josh Barnett
“Stitch is one of those so-called leading men in the MMA business. He basically sees and hears everything and is a part of everything. This is one of the best books I’ve ever read, and I’ve read literally thousands of books.”
Oliver Copp (Tough Talk Radio)
“I can’t stop reading these stories. People are going to LOVE this book! This is just fantastic stuff. I think it goes beyond just fans of MMA. It’s a great success story. It’s just amazing!”
Doug Groff (KMBW Radio)
ALL TAPPED OUT
“Raw and visceral. Robinson not only takes you into the violent, ultra-competitive world of mixed martial arts, but invites you into the realm where the real fight takes place, the fighter’s heart. Tough isn’t enough in this sport. You have to have the extraordinary willpower to fight on when all is lost and the men who dare to are cut from a different cloth. All Tapped Out is a fascinating journey through a corner of life that many refuse to acknowledge and many more can’t get enough of.”
Kelly Crigger, Bestselling author
“A gripping story that you won’t put down till the last page… and then you’ll want more. This one has it all: cage fights, guns, backstabbing, love, hate… Did I say it has cage fights??? I won’t reveal more. Read this book. You will love it!”
Tom Stedham, Actor & MMA Trainer
MIXED MARTIAL ARTS IQ, VOL. I & II
“I doubt you could have found this many top athletes willing to participate from any other sport. It’s a credit to each one of these fine gentleman and the sport of MMA as a whole that they chose to be involved.”
Stephen Quadros, “The Fight Professor”
“This is truly a unique partnership and unique book. It will certainly entertain MMA fans and it will make a difference in the lives of those who served.”
Donovan Craig, Fight! Magazine Editor in Chief
Ranger Up Presents Mixed Martial Arts IQ (Zac Robinson, cover courtesy Ranger Up).
“Every time I work on a cut I am being tested and I feel confident I can pass the test. After reading MMA IQ I’m not so sure I can do the same with this book.”
UFC Cutman Jacob “Stitch” Duran
“MMA fans everywhere pay attention – this is your best chance to reign supreme in your favorite bar stool. The trivia and stories come at you so fast and so furious you’ll wish Stitch Duran was in your corner getting you ready to do battle.”
Sam Hendricks, award-winning author of Fantasy Football Tips: 201 Ways to Win through Player Rankings, Cheat Sheets and Better Drafting
“From the rookie fan to the pound for pound trivia champs, MMA IQ has something that will challenge the wide spectrum of fans that follow the sport.”
Robert Joyner, mmapayout.com
“I thought I knew MMA, but this book took my MMA IQ to a whole new level . . . fun read, highly recommended.”
William Li, findmmagym.com
