The career of UFC fighter Soa ‘The Hulk’ Palelei at a glance.
Following a childhood from hell, mixed martial arts helped put Soa ‘The Hulk’ Palelei on the right path in life. His memoir, Face Your Fears, is a raw and powerful story about turning obstacles into opportunities and following your dreams – destroying the odds in the hope for a better life.
Pelelei had his professional fighting debut in 2002, and he went on to dominate on the Australian circuit. Five years later he was signed on to compete in the revered Ultimate Fighting Championship. But the dream didn’t last, and his became a rollercoaster story of crushing defeats, comebacks and winning streaks on the world’s biggest stage.
Here’s a snapshot of Palelei’s career at a glance:
Nickname: The Hulk
Born: 12 July 1977
From: Newcastle, Australia
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 130kgs
Reach: 81”
MMA Debut: 2002
Retired: 2015
Career Record: 22 wins (19 by KO) and 5 losses
Fastest Victory: 0:12 (Vs Bob Sapp, 2012)
Championships: K-Oz Entertainment Super Heavyweight Championship (2012); AFC Heavyweight Championship (2012); defended AFC Heavyweight Championship (2012).
Whether you're stocking your school library shelves or looking for books to read with the class in 2026, these are the books the Penguin team recommend.
Discover six perfect food and book pairings to gift this Christmas. From thrillers and fancy cheese to heart-warming reads and sweet treats.
Check out the most anticipated YA books hitting shelves in 2026.
Looking for the best Aussie Christmas books for kids? From Bluey favourites to heartwarming stories set under the summer sun, these festive reads make perfect gifts for little book lovers.
Discover the best crime books to gift this Christmas. From chilling thrillers to clever mysteries, these six page-turners will keep readers hooked.
Love fantasy? Check out these recommended fantasy books from our well-read Penguin Random House Australia employees.
In the mood for some romance this holiday season? Reach for one (or more) of these 21 Christmas romance books.
Penguin Random House publisher, Ali shares her current pick: The Lucky Sisters by Rachael Johns. Read her review here!
A furious, brilliant woman stepped from the pages of a notebook – and inspired Laguna’s new novel, The Underworld.
Take this quiz to find out whether you're a Meg, Liza or Benny – the key characters from the new YA psychological thriller.
Check out the Penguin Random House titles that made the cut for ABC Radio National's 'Top 100 Books of the 21st century' list, as voted by over 280,000 readers.
We’re happy to share that an impressive twenty-five Penguin Random House titles made the list this year.
