The Mauler

A look at how a small town farmers' son became one of the most globally recognised fighters of his generation.

Alexander Gustafsson grew up in Arboga, a small town in Sweden. A country boy, he started boxing when he was 10 - winning the national youth medal at the age of 16. After a handful of run-ins with the law he began practicing mixed martial arts and working his way up the ranks of the UFC.

Nicknamed 'The Mauler' by his training partners, due to his power, killer instinct and somewhat recklessness whilst fighting; this is the story of Gustafssons struggle to succeed in one of the world's most challenging sports. Family, friends, and the Christian faith all play decisive rolls. But above all, it's Alexander's unique talent for martial arts which, in just a few short years, sees him become one of the UFC's main poster boys.

The Mauler is a frank and at times painful account of a young man rapidly heading off the rails, and of his fight to reach the top of his game in an effort to change his life forever.

About the Author

Gustafsson was raised in Arboga, a small town in Sweden by his father who was a farmer. He had a troubled youth which led to him ending up in fights often as a teenager, he was convicted for it for the first time when he was 15. As an 18-year-old in 2005 he was sentenced to prison for aggravated assault, once again as a result of fighting. He was released in 2006, turned his life around, got back to training, found MMA and moved to another city to leave the trouble behind him. He has credited getting involved in MMA that finally changed his life for the better.

This is his first book.