In recent years, mixed martial arts, also known as "ultimate fighting", has become the fastest-growing sport in American society, but it is also considered the most controversial. Based on interviews conducted with forty mixed martial arts athletes, Fighting for Acceptance answers these questions:

• Who are the ultimate fighters?
• How did they become involved in the sport?
• What goes on in their heads while competing?
• Do the fighters feel a social responsibility to preach nonviolence out of the sport?
• How do they see themselves fitting into today's society?

Authors David Mayeda, a mixed martial arts fan and occasional fighter, and David Ching explore these political and sociological issues through in-depth interviews with fighters such as Randy "The Natural" Couture, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, "Dangerous" Dan Henderson, Jason "MayheM" Miller, Antonio McKee, Frank Trigg, Travis Lutter, Chris "The Crippler" Leben, and Guy Mezger.

Fighting for Acceptance is for the sport's fans and its critics alike as it delves into the ramifications of the athletic event. This growing phenomenon is so controversial that many still question if it should even be considered a sport.

David Tokiharu Mayeda received his PhD in American Studies from the University of Hawaii in 2005, where he also served as an assistant professor. He recently entered his first amateur mixed martial arts competition.

David E. Ching received his MA in Economics from California State University, Long Beach and also taught at the University of Hawaii. He and his wife, Una, have a daughter, Natalie, and reside in Honolulu, Hawaii. E-mail us at MMAcademics@yahoo.com