Watching Cage Fighting Saved Me: NY Subway Hero

Joseph Lozito's leg sweep defeated crazed knifeman Maksim Gelman

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 15, 2011 4:25 AM CST

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NYC Subway Victim: Martial Arts Saved Me — Maksim Gelman, of Brooklyn, who is accused of going on a 28-hour stabbing rampage through New York City is led by officers outside the 61st Precinct. (AP Photo/David Karp)

The New York City subway rider who helped disarm a knifeman accused of murdering four people and wounding several others says watching mixed martial arts fights on TV for 20 years likely saved his life. As slasher Maksim Gelman lunged at Joseph Lozito with a huge knife, Lozito used his leg to sweep his attacker off his feet. "I guess you watch it for 20 years, you just pick up some things through osmosis," Lozito, who suffered stab wounds to his head and hand, tells ABC News.

"With the end result being as it is—that I'm alive—I'm glad he came at me because generally on a subway or in a room I'm one of the bigger people and in relatively good shape and I can probably handle myself a little better," Lozito says. An angry crowd shouted "Rot in hell!" as Gelman, a 23-year-old graffiti artist, was brought to court yesterday, the New York Post reports.
(More New York City subway stories.)

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