Violence and opportunity

Violence is Al Joslin’s business, and he knows his business. He promoted the mixed-martial-arts matches I describe in the accompanying story, and he’s hardly unaware of the violence at the heart of what he does.

But Joslin sees distinct positives in the sport. He believes that, for many kids coming up the hard way, as he himself did, MMA can provide discipline and confidence. Those kids are often lacking father figures, too, a role Al Joslin takes on as a manager, trainer and fight promoter.

“I’m 55 now, and I started in martial arts when I was 16,” he said in a pre-fight interview. “I had a troubled youth, and I went through lots of hard times, but martial arts carried me through, which I think you’ll find with a lot of young people these days.”

I reminded him of the boilerplate objections to the sport, from bloodthirsty fans to injured fighters.

“We can all find things to look down our noses at other people about,” he said, “but this sport gives opportunity to the youth of America. Some of these kids are fighting their whole life, anyway, on the streets or in the bars. The safe place to try it out is the cage, where it’s regulated, and where there are doctors.

“I don’t like blood,” he continued. “I see a car accident, I get sick. But I’m a martial-arts guy. I started fighting bare-knuckle, full-contact back in 1972. I’ve had split lips, broken noses, broken sternum, but I’ve still got all my faculties, and I wish I could still be doing it.”

Joslin isn’t the least bit defensive about his profession.

“Cage fighting is safer than boxing. In mixed martial arts, anytime a fighter feels threatened they can stop the fight by ‘tapping out,’ the equivalent of saying ‘uncle.’ And there’s no dishonor in it. I do this as a living. I don’t want people to think ill of what I’m doing.”

Toward that end, he dedicates himself to ensuring that the fighters are well matched.

“A fight is a question—can this person beat this person? I’m kinda well known for putting together well-matched cards,” he said. “My grandkids go to the shows. They see a little blood, maybe, but it’s no big deal. …

“Look at Japan. Do you think Japan is a ruthless, terrible society? No. They teach martial arts in the schools, and that imparts a sense of honor. I’m kind of on a crusade for martial arts. I want these kids off their duffs, and to know how to protect themselves and their family, and build confidence in themselves. I’ve instilled these things in kids who had no confidence, no discipline. And that’s rewarding.”