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Bareknuckle Fighters #1

Fight of His Life

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"I can't be with my client. It's completely against my ethics - personal and professional. But underneath that hot, tough exterior, I see how gentle and affectionate he can be. How am I supposed to choose between my career and the alpha I'm falling for?"

Omega Connor Ford is a rising superstar in the physical therapy practice he works at, channeling his passion for healing the broken into every hard day’s work. Upright and ethical, he’s never felt more than a moment’s pause over the attractive alphas he treats. Until him.

Alpha Mac Dawson made one stupid mistake: getting into the car with a friend who had been drinking. Now, grieving and injured, he’s scared - and taking that fear of losing his MMA fighting career out on everyone around him. Until one firm omega physical therapist takes him in hand…

Fight of His Life features an extremely dangerous challenge fight, mpreg, and one big question - Connor’s career… or his heart? Each book in the Bareknuckle Fighters series can be read as a standalone.

163 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 24, 2019

51 people are currently reading
77 people want to read

About the author

Austin Bates

84 books314 followers

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5 stars
61 (41%)
4 stars
45 (30%)
3 stars
27 (18%)
2 stars
5 (3%)
1 star
8 (5%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
Profile Image for Lily.
647 reviews21 followers
July 2, 2019
3.5 punching stars. A solid omegaverse romance. The ending was a bit too convenient for me, but meh that's a risk you run when reading a HEA. I liked Conner and Mac as characters and I enjoyed the read.
5,704 reviews39 followers
July 1, 2019
so this one... the storyline is what i was expecting. it was exciting and interesting. but idk why but this story didnt hold my interest well.. for some reason the writing wasnt what i was hoping for.. i couldnt connect with the emotions or their personalities.. i enjoyed the story and hope to see more.. hopefully book 2 will be better :)
Profile Image for Claudia.
2,987 reviews38 followers
February 11, 2020
The characters in this book are an injured alpha bare-knuckle fighter, Mac, and an omega physical therapist, Conner. Both are interesting and likeable characters, and the storyline was really good... until the end.

Which it felt truly... convenient? I don't know if that's the word, maybe extraordinarily lucky? But all in all, the story is worthy of reading/listening. The relationship between the characters felt genuine, and the conflict, realistic. I only wish I could say the same about the resolution :P

Nevertheless, the epilogue is great, with hints about what will come next in the series, and it certainly aroused my curiosity :P

Christopher Kauzlarich did a very good job with the narration.
1,159 reviews7 followers
March 7, 2021
Brilliant

I am so glad I finally got round to read this book and have to say I was very impressed. Cannot wait to read the next book in the series
Profile Image for Sherry Hassanali.
388 reviews13 followers
August 22, 2021
The writing is so very juvenile 🙄 I've enjoyed some of the books from this author but don't know what happened with this one 🤨😒
Profile Image for Julianne Macneil.
3,698 reviews28 followers
July 2, 2019
i read this book as part of an arc program. This is the story of MMA fighter Mac and physical therapist Connor. Mac was in an accident and suffered multiple injuries, including broken hands. When he was sent to Connor for rehab, Connor was the third therapist Mac had. Mac was a difficult patient, but Connor refused to cower to him. Connor told Mac how things were going to go and Mac agreed to work with him. Mac's recovery was going well, but there was an attraction between Connor and Mac that was against the rules. When Mac asked Connor out for a beer to thank him for his help, Connor was in heat, but agreed to go, thinking he could control himself. Mac and Connor fought their feelings for so long, but they couldn't fight it any longer. They began seeing each other and when Mac was set to fight again, Connor worried he wasn't ready, but was willing to work with him. When Connor learned there was another break in Mac's hand, he told him he was not cleared to fight, but Mac was going to fight anyway, causing problems between them. I really enjoyed this book. I loved how Connor saw Mac as more than a fighter. I loved how Mac loved Connor and wanted to be with him. Mac thought Connor was his omega and wanted to take care of him, but he also liked how Connor could take care of himself too. I think they were very good together and had amazing chemistry. This looks like another great start to another great series.
Profile Image for Claudia Lezár.
1,409 reviews39 followers
July 8, 2019
3,5*

PLEASE READ MY RATING SYSTEM!!!

To my ratings:

5* - very very good and rare (it would be a Blow-
Away-book like
‘Jesse's Smile' or ‚Joey’ from Angelique Jurd,
‘Save the at he kids' series from EM Leya,
‘Love’s Tethered Heart’ from C.L. Etta or
'Liberty' from Seth King),
it's like an A+

4* - very good and will be often reread and is a
WOW-book with interesting plot and surprises
(like most of Andrew Grey’s books)
it's like an A

3,5* - a really good book, which will be reread a few
times a year (most romances where you can
enjoy for relaxing and during waiting times in
hospitals). I can recommend them definitively!
It's like an B+

3* - it could be more then a one-time-reader,
maybe 2-3 times a year. It’s like a B

2* - it was ok to read, but it's more a one-time-
reader (i wouldn't recommend it heartily, but
it was ok). It's like a C-, D

1* - sorry, but that isn't really a book for me (too
many mistakes, not nice plot, illogical, so an
absolut NO-GO). It's like failure in the whole
line, dismissed, repeat the class
Profile Image for Marcella.
358 reviews16 followers
July 1, 2019
Omega Conner Ford is a sought after physical therapist. He’s quickly gained a reputation for working miracles on athletes with potentially career ending injuries. He prides himself on his professionalism. That is until Mac Dawson enters his exam room. Underneath the rough exterior, Conner sees the gentle, affectionate man underneath.

Alpha Mac Dawson made a stupid mistake that could end his career as a MMA fighter. He’s taking out his anger, grief and fear on everyone around him. But one strong omega physical therapist calls him out. He’s hoping this therapist can work a miracle on him so he can get back in the ring. What he never expected was to find the omega he never knew he was waiting for.

Conner is torn between choosing his career or the alpha he’s been looking for. Conner and Mac fight their attraction until they can’t anymore.

I loved Mac and Conner. Their passion for what they do for a living shines through and it makes them even more enjoyable to read. These were two great characters who matched each other at every turn. Great read!

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
Profile Image for AlitaConejita.
520 reviews4 followers
July 16, 2019
I don’t think there was anything I liked about this book (except no noticeable typos ... that’s a plus).

The alpha makes demeaning comments about omegas. I kept reading expecting some realization that omegas can be smart and effective too - but that never came. What did come was that the alpha (Mac), developed some esteem for the particular omega (Connor). I really hate when it’s considered a complement to be thought of as something IN SPITE OF being xyz. Examples:
women are not very smart and just arm candy, but YOU are the exception. ?? Ethnic group is lazy, but YOU are the exception. That person remains biased/a bigot and I wouldn’t take being considered an exception by that person much of a complement.

The main characters made every wrong choice in their work and in their relationship, but lucky them it turned fine.
Won’t go into details because I guess they could be considered spoilers.


Even the epilogue was bad - it effectively confirmed that Connor lost trust/respect at his job for his decisions.

Definitely not continuing with this series.
Profile Image for Clyde.
248 reviews
July 1, 2019
Connor is a gifted physical therapist who works the toughest cases as he plans his future with a suitable alpha. Mac is one of those tough cases, not because of his injury but because of his drive to get back to the MMA ring. When they are paired to work together Mac finds Connor to be the challenge he needs to follow order to recover. When fate pushes them to get Mac into the ring before Connor thinks he is ready the angry confrontation lights the sparks of their attraction. These two hard-headed characters are outlined by the author in a way that engages the reader. The plot is full of surprises and twists and the action moves that plot forward quickly. I didn't know if I would like the fighting aspect of the story but the characters drew me right in. This is a good story for readers who can see past the storyline and into the thoughts and feelings of the characters. I received this ARC through Booksprout.
609 reviews1 follower
July 1, 2019
Connor was a very dedicated physical therapist who had a special gift with the hard cases. Mac was in a stupid and preventable car accident and was in need of a physical therapist who couldn't be scared away by Mac's intimidation tactics. Mac and Connor both tried to fight their attraction for each from their first meeting and keep things strictly professional. All bets were off when Connor went into heat. When Mac was forced to choose between Connor or Hardy's professional judgment, Connor and Mac's relationship took a huge hit. Fordnick turned out to be a valuable friend to Mac and helped him to see the big picture. Nora was quite a character and I hope she appears in the rest of the series. Hunter was absolutely adorable in his demand for ice cream.

'I received an ARC of this book and voluntarily reviewed it.'
603 reviews6 followers
July 1, 2019
Connor is a tough physical therapist known for pushing his clients to get the best results. Mac was in an accident that could end his MMA career, he is rude, angry, tough, cocky, and he may have met his match in Connor. There is a lot of sexual tension while working together but they are also learning new qualities about each other and building a connection. There are conflicts, ups and downs, surprises, unique characters, and an intriguing storyline. It was entertaining following these stubborn men come together and connect so well. The epilogue adds a bit of a mystery and lets us know that while Mac and Connor found love and HEA, they will be involved to some degree in the next book and I am looking forward to it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Solveig.
238 reviews5 followers
July 2, 2019
Mac hurt his hands in a accident and need physiotherapy to heal, and Connor is his physiotherapist. They are both attracted to each other. Connor doesn’t date patiens and can’t wait for Mac to heal. Mac get the clear to fight again and invite Connor out to thank him. Connor is in heat and want Mac, and they have sex. Connors boss tak a new look at the x-ray picture before releasing Mac, and his hands hasn’t compleatly healed yet. Mac isn’t to happy since he has a fight. Mac and Connor has an argument and things are tens. They both realise that they wan’t the other person and is willing to do what ever it takes. Mac is a stubborn man who love fighting until he realise he loves Connor more. Connor loves Mac but doesn’t want him to fight again until he’s hand are healed. I liked the MC’s, they fit together and the story is well written.
3,234 reviews25 followers
June 30, 2019
Connor gets given a difficult patient who has already gone through three Physical Therapists.
Physical Therapist Connor who works wonders with the more extreme cases but is surprised when his boss gives him a patient who has already seen off three other Physical Therapists. MMA fighter Mac had been in the passenger seat of a car that had been wrapped round a pole leaving him with upper body injuries to one shoulder, his arms and his hands. Fed up of therapists who talk to him like he is a child he agrees to see another and finds Connor going toe to toe with him and telling him how it is. He prefers this approach but is also attracted to him.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
662 reviews1 follower
July 1, 2019
Omega Connor Ford is a great physical therapist. Connor get assigned the difficult cases because he can get through to the people and convince them to get the work done and get better. Alpha Mac Dawson is an MMA fighter. Mac was in a ca accident and injured both hands. Mac has gone through three physical therapists and is tired of people not helping him get better so that he can fight again. Mac is upset when he finds out that his hand is not healing as fast as it should. Connor will not release Mac to fight. Mac has agreed to fight and is afraid that if he does fight he may lose Connor. Can Mac win the fight and not damage his hand? Will Connor still love Mac if he goes through with this fight?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4,918 reviews18 followers
July 2, 2019
Intense! Mac, Alpha MMA fighter injures his hands and Connor, Omega, physical therapist is recommended. It takes awhile for Mac to seek help.Mac wants to win a few bouts to attain championship eligibility. Mac comes off as arrogant and Connor shows he won't take his aggression. Connor is totally professional and wants good health and success for Mac. Good story. Both guys are absolutely likeable. Will they? Can they? What happens if/when they do? Do they cross the relationship line? Can Connor get Mac back to fighting shape? Leaves you wanting to know, what's next in the fighting world. I received an ARC from Booksprout for a review.
Profile Image for Patricia Hoffstaetter.
3,160 reviews40 followers
June 29, 2019
An enjoyable, somewhat emotional yet entertaining Mpreg romance with a interesting plot & a different outlook on the two main characters occupational professions.
There is: a strong-willed omega physical therapist (Connor) is not too happy with his new client who happens to be a stubborn alpha MMA fighter (Mac), some twists, drama, memories, manipulations, attractions, ethical boundaries, guilt, playfulness, complications, anguish, rejection, emotional turmoil, advice, determination, support, motivation, steamy scenes, happiness, love & a delightful sweet epilogue
Profile Image for Lucrecia.
413 reviews16 followers
June 28, 2019
Fight Of His Life (Bareknuckle Fighters Book 1)

Solid story but I couldn't quite get into it.
It felt robotic in a way. I mean I read about emotions and feelings but they were just words. I didn't feel what I read... not the anger, nor the warmth, no love behind those 3 words; couldn't even feel their lust which I'd think should be the easier to relate to.
This one was just not for me. It happens and happens in reverse as well ^^

I'll keep reading 📖
Profile Image for Teal Wolf.
3,414 reviews26 followers
June 26, 2019
Fight Of His Life by Austin Bates is part of the Bareknuckle Fighters series but can be read as a standalone story. Connor and Mac are great characters who have a great story. There is angst, sexiness, sweetness.... a fun story that has feels.

I received an advanced reader's copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.
Profile Image for Melody Hillier.
1,151 reviews5 followers
June 30, 2019
this is a mm mpreg mma story with plenty of emotion, action and great characters who will pull you right into their world and keep you their till the very end and make you want more form this fascinating group of friends and associates that you meet in its pages

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,592 reviews12 followers
July 1, 2019
“I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.” Mac and Connor are inevitably attracted, Mac finds his single focus for fighting is challenged by his attraction to Connor and at the same time Connors's professional behavior is challenged. This couple have to fight to get to the perfect finish but the read is very entertaining and the characters are all well developed.
Profile Image for Cynthia Brooks.
2,360 reviews11 followers
July 2, 2019
Mac was in a car accident and messed up his shoulders, arms. and hands. Max is an MMA fighter so he needs therapy. Conner is one of the best physical therapist and Mac is put under his care. They're attracted to each other but its against policy to fraternize where Conner works. I enjoyed this book.
Profile Image for A.L. Miller.
Author 5 books15 followers
July 2, 2019
This was a sweet story between a stubborn alpha and a tough omega who didnt take his crap. I really enjoyed reading about the love between this fighter and his physically therapist that developed over and how love come happen when you least expected. I read this one pretty quickly and really enjoyed the story and charcaters.
308 reviews3 followers
July 2, 2019
this is a great book. Mac and his alpha macho approach and the course language written in really makes him the true alpha with a personality. It is refreshing on Conner to have someone who handles the alpha but then does not. lots of fun

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,125 reviews5 followers
July 4, 2019
I loved this story about Connor and Mac. Both of them were strong, especially Connor not taking any of Mac's intimidation and nonsense. The feelings and emotions were all there for me, and with it being so well written, I felt each one. This was just a great book to me.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Coral Mitchell.
3,189 reviews
January 2, 2026
Connor is not happy with his newest patient, Mac. He is rash and wants to rush his therapy. Mac is facing plenty of guilt and anger and only wants to get back in the ring. I enjoyed Mac's battle to heal, physically and emotionally.
7,160 reviews33 followers
July 1, 2019
An entertaining read. The story flowed well, with action, drama, romance, likeable characters, with steamy chemistry. A few rules are broken between Conner and Mac. A overall great read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Vickie Hopkins.
173 reviews
July 12, 2019
This book was amazing this makes a few visceral of Austin books they keep getting better every time cant wait to sergeant next love it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews

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