At Pride Mixed Martial Arts, we stand on the shoulders of giants. The lessons we teach, the values we instill, and the traditions we carry forward are deeply rooted in the rich history of martial arts. Understanding where we come from isn’t just an exercise in nostalgia—it’s a way to honor the lineage that has shaped us and to ground our students in a legacy of grit, resilience, and purpose.
The story of Pride Mixed Martial Arts begins long before our mats were ever laid down. It starts in the “Blood and Guts” era of Texas martial arts—a time defined by raw determination, rigorous training, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. It’s an era that gave rise to legends, broke barriers, and forged a path for those of us who walk it today. And it’s the era that shaped one of the most influential figures in my life and my journey as a martial artist: Joy Turberville.
This is Part 1 in a series that explores the rich roots of our academy, honoring the pioneers of martial arts and the lineage that continues to shape our practice today.
The Texas Blood and Guts Era: A Legacy of Resilience
The 1960s and 1970s in Texas were a defining chapter in martial arts history. Known as the “Blood and Guts” era, this period earned its name from the sheer toughness demanded of its practitioners. Training was grueling, sparring was full-contact with minimal protective gear, and tournaments were fiercely competitive. It wasn’t just about physical ability—it was a test of character and resilience.
Pioneers like Allen Steen, J. Pat Burleson, and Skipper Mullins rose to prominence in this era, setting the bar for martial arts excellence. Steen, a student of Jhoon Rhee, spearheaded the movement in Texas, organizing landmark tournaments like the Southwest Karate Championships and the United States Karate Championships. These events became proving grounds for fighters like Demetrius “The Greek” Havanas and Roy Kurban, whose names are etched in martial arts history.
This era wasn’t just about competition—it was about building a culture of discipline, respect, and innovation. It was also about breaking barriers. Amid the tough-as-nails environment of the “Blood and Guts” era, Joy Turberville emerged as a trailblazer. She not only competed but thrived, becoming the first woman to break into the Southwest Top Ten Fighters and paving the way for countless others.
My First Steps into the Legacy
I still remember the first time I stepped into what would become a defining space in my life: Ms. Joy Turberville’s USA Karate in Dallas, Texas. For over a year, I’d begged my dad to let me take martial arts lessons. Finally, he conceded, and the moment we walked through those doors, I was hooked.
The dojo was alive with energy. Pictures of martial artists performing incredible feats—flying kicks, board breaks, brick smashing—lined the walls. Trophies stood like proud monuments to past victories. The smell of Pine-Sol mingled with sweat in the air, and the electric hum of excitement filled the room. It was a place of discipline, intensity, and achievement, and I was ready.
My first class was unforgettable. We called her “Ms. Turberville,” and she was a force of nature. With her commanding presence and unmistakable charisma, she had a way of making the impossible seem achievable. She led us through what felt like an endless series of push-ups, sit-ups, jumping jacks, and other calisthenics. Then came the kicks—hundreds of them. By the end of the class, my legs were jelly, my arms felt like lead, and I could hardly catch my breath.
And yet, I loved every second of it.
Ms. Turberville was a taskmaster, but she made the hard work feel rewarding. Her passion for martial arts was contagious, and her belief in her students was unshakable. She pushed us beyond what we thought we could do, and we found ourselves thriving under her guidance.
At the end of class, she circled us all up, sitting cross-legged on the mat, and gave a talk that would stick with me for the rest of my life. She explained why we study martial arts—not just to learn how to fight, but to become better people.
She outlined what she called “the four selves.” The first was self-discipline, the ability to push ourselves to do what needs to be done even when we don’t feel like it. The second was self-control, mastering our emotions and reactions, especially in challenging situations. The third was self-respect, valuing ourselves enough to set standards and boundaries. And the fourth was self-esteem, the confidence that comes from knowing we are capable and worthy.
She didn’t stop at definitions. Ms. Turberville went on to explain how we could apply these principles to our lives right now. Whether it was at school, at home, or on the mat, she challenged us to embody these values every day.
That talk wasn’t just about martial arts—it was a lesson in life. It was the moment I realized that martial arts was more than just kicks and punches; it was a path to becoming the best version of myself.
Ms. Turberville was selective about the students she promoted to Black Belt. Over the course of her career, she promoted fewer than ten people to Black Belt, holding the rank as a rare and hard-earned achievement. My training partner, Eddie Wilkerson, and I were the only two students she ever promoted to Black Belt under the age of 18. It was a testament to the high standards she held and her belief in what martial arts could bring out in each of us.
That day wasn’t just my introduction to martial arts—it was my first step into a lineage that tied me to the rich history of the Texas “Blood and Guts” era and to the legacy of a woman who stood tall among its giants.
Passing the Legacy Forward
Today, at Pride Mixed Martial Arts, the lessons I learned from Joy Turberville and the lineage of the “Blood and Guts” era are at the heart of everything we do. The values of self-discipline, self-control, self-respect, and self-esteem are woven into our curriculum. They are as much a part of our classes as the techniques we teach, because martial arts is not just about physical skill—it’s about building character.
Every time I step onto the mat, I honor my lineage. I carry the lessons of Ms. Turberville and the traditions of an era that valued resilience and purpose. My students are the next branch of this lineage. Through them, the roots of Pride Mixed Martial Arts continue to grow deeper, grounded in a legacy of toughness, respect, and excellence.
This is why we teach. This is why we train. And this is why we honor our lineage.
Coming Next in the Series
In Part 2, we’ll dive deeper into the role of mentorship in martial arts and explore how the lessons passed down through generations of instructors continue to shape the Pride Mixed Martial Arts community today.