> Skip to content

Article  •  16 June 2016

 

Face Your Fears

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).

 

Feature Title

Face Your Fears
From homeless kid to the UFC's world stage – Soa Palelei's is an inspirational story of an Australian fighter who never gave up.
Read more

More features

See all
Article
Books that make great stocking fillers for teens

Discover books that make great stocking fillers and become the perfect gift-giver this Christmas!

Article
Free Christmas colouring pages (printable)

Print three free Christmas colouring pages from some of Penguin’s cutest cosy colouring books.

Article
The classics that inspired SenLinYu to write Alchemised

SenLinYu shares the books that influenced the writing of Alchemised. From gothic horror to Jane Austen, learn about the classics that inspired the author.

Article
Christmas colouring books

Discover some of the best Christmas colouring books for kids and adults alike!

Article
Your guide to the best gifts for book lovers

From book recommendations to wrapping tips, here’s everything you need to know about Christmas gifts for book lovers.

Article
Books we're recommending to educators for 2026

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.

Article
The best food and book pairings to gift this Christmas

Discover six perfect food and book pairings to gift this Christmas. From thrillers and fancy cheese to heart-warming reads and sweet treats.

Article
Look inside Bookish.

Sneak a peek inside the new journal to record your literary adventures.

Article
The 14 most anticipated YA books of 2026

Check out the most anticipated YA books hitting shelves in 2026.

Article
Aussie Christmas books for kids

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.

Article
Best crime books to gift this Christmas: 6 unforgettable reads

Discover the best crime books to gift this Christmas. From chilling thrillers to clever mysteries, these six page-turners will keep readers hooked.

Article
Recommended fantasy books, as chosen by Penguin employees

Love fantasy? Check out these recommended fantasy books from our well-read Penguin Random House Australia employees.

Looking for more articles?

See all articles
penguin pop image
penguin pop image