--- title: In the Octagon, Off the Streets: A Mixed-Martial-Arts Champ Builds Community | TIME description: A mixed martial arts champ coaches at-risk teens in the sport in East Palo Alto, California canonical: https://time.com/video/037mEnbp/ og:title: In the Octagon, Off the Streets: A Mixed-Martial-Arts Champ Builds Community og:description: A mixed martial arts champ coaches at-risk teens in the sport in East Palo Alto, California og:url: https://time.com/video/037mEnbp/ og:image: https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/037mEnbp/poster.jpg?width=720 og:type: video.other twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: In the Octagon, Off the Streets: A Mixed-Martial-Arts Champ Builds Community twitter:description: A mixed martial arts champ coaches at-risk teens in the sport in East Palo Alto, California twitter:image: https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/037mEnbp/poster.jpg?width=720 --- # In the Octagon, Off the Streets: A Mixed-Martial-Arts Champ Builds Community > Sponsored content. 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They are at time.com/newsletters and are separate from a paid subscription. ## Video: In the Octagon, Off the Streets: A Mixed-Martial-Arts Champ Builds Community [Watch (HLS stream): In the Octagon, Off the Streets: A Mixed-Martial-Arts Champ Builds Community](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/037mEnbp.m3u8) (5:01)  _Published 2011-07-26. A mixed martial arts champ coaches at-risk teens in the sport in East Palo Alto, California_ --- Jul 27, 2023 3:15 PM UTC --- ## More From This Series [All Videos](https://time.com/video/) [China's Beloved Master of Martial Arts Fiction Louis Cha Has Died Aged 94](/video/m5cu10Mt/) ### China's Beloved Master of Martial Arts Fiction Louis Cha Has Died Aged 94 [Watch Mixed Martial Arts Fighters Compete in China](/video/dpt09KrP/) ### Watch Mixed Martial Arts Fighters Compete in China [Bartitsu: The Lost Martial Art of Sherlock Holmes](/video/SnAAMbeJ/) ### Bartitsu: The Lost Martial Art of Sherlock Holmes --- ## Transcript [ SOUND ] Yeah we got more hits. Gene Jackson likes to push his fighters to the limit. There we go. For this mixed martial arts turned coach, it's a two way street. If you come in here and you die for me, [ NOISE ] then I die for you in return. If you smile for me, then I'll smile for your return. If you frown for me, at you in return. So what do want to give. I'm going to give you back. On the mat however, all bets are off. Wrong guy, [ INAUDIBLE ] wrong guy. [ LAUGH ] Jackson runs a mixed martial arts program for at risk teenagers in east Palo Alto. It's become a hugely popular sport in resent years, thanks to it's exciting mix of boxing, Jujitsu, Moi Tai kick boxing and other diciplines. His two sons, Niko and Casey, are two of the most promising amateur [ SOUND ] fighters in the area. There's just, it's one way, and it's his way. [ LAUGH ] But Jackson's like a father to all these young men. Some of them don't have fathers themselves. I will tell you this right now. I would have ended up like my dad, and that is. Not at all. Not only does he train them for free, he also houses them under his roof. They respect him and they relate to him because Eugene also grew up on the wrong side of the tracks. When I was brought up in the city, being black and white. You know, people thought you were a little softer, not as tough as everybody else, so you know, you had to go over there and prove yourself. And so being able to fight a little bit made people want you on their team, so it had you caught up to where now, oh we want him because he can put people on their back. [ CROSSTALK ] Jackson starting fighting on the street as a gang member, an experience that helped him prepare for a career in the cage. [ SOUND ] As a professional fighter, he's traveled around the US, and as far as Japan and Brazil. Where he fought [ UNKNOWN ] legend [ UNKNOWN ] bare knuckle ten years ago. Eugene became a fan favorite for his sportsmanship in victory and defeat. But he says his biggest challenge and reward has been his [ SOUND ] job at home helping kids [ NOISE ] who might otherwise join gangs find discipline and direction. [ INAUDIBLE ] A few years ago, when he started operating a free gym in a rough part of town, local law enforcement noticed results. [ SOUND ] [ INAUDIBLE ] Okay. John Nordan is a detective with the East Paluelta police, and a friend of Eugenes. I saw the difference. I, I know these kids. I've had to chase some of these kids. Now, these are, these are kids that come up to me, you know, give me a hug, you know. If more people were doing what he would do, would do, I'd be out of a job. After another long day of training, some of the guys come home to grab a bite to eat. They must keep a strict diet to maintain weight for their upcoming fights. 187 On fight day, people line up in droves at the venue. [ NOISE ] It's a scene that attracts gang bangers, blue collar types, and hot blooded women. But best of all, it's a safe space for fighters to share their skills. Casey and Niko are both on the fight card. Two more. How'd it feel? Good [ SOUND ] Gene has prepared them well, but the nerves that come with being a parent and coach never go away. You know like I'm of you father say he get's knocked out. I want to run in there like a parent instead of a coach. You know it's I think I have two invested interests. One is like I'm afraid for myself. So I get up. That's what happen to the game. [ SOUND ] Casey gets in the ring first and puts up a strong fight against a much older opponent. [ NOISE ] In the end though, he gets a bad break, losing a split decision. [ SOUND ] Now it's up to older brother Nuco / to dominate in the ring. [ SOUND ] [ UNKNOWN ] Defeat. [ MUSIC ] His attack is fast and furious, and overwhelming. [ SOUND ] Eugene is all smiles when any of his spiders win a match. But win or lose they come back to the gym the following day. Everyone on team Jackson understands that long term success comes from hard training. Focus and having each other's back no matter what. [ CROSSTALK ] From time. com, this is Jason Mathlam in east Palo Alto. ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"In the Octagon, Off the Streets: A Mixed-Martial-Arts Champ Builds Community","description":"A mixed martial arts champ coaches at-risk teens in the sport in East Palo Alto, California","thumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/037mEnbp/poster.jpg?width=720","uploadDate":"2011-07-26T21:15:37.000Z","contentUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/037mEnbp.m3u8","embedUrl":"https://time.com/video/037mEnbp/","duration":"PT5M1S","potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","target":"https://time.com/video/037mEnbp/?jw_start={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"}} ```