—Submitted Photo Justin Faiferlick (far right) with (left to right) son, Michael; daughter-in-law, Ashley; grandson, Lucas; daughter, Kelsey; granddaughters, Aria and Grace; son-in-law Zac; and wife, Deann.

Justin Faiferlick doesn’t measure time in hours or days anymore.

Life is now all about experiences and moments.

Faiferlick is at relative peace with what has become a steep and daunting fight. His battle with metastatic melanoma has been met with the courage, determination and focus his students and the Fort Dodge community have come to expect from the owner of Faiferlick Taekwondo, Martial Arts, Self Defense and Fitness.

Cancer can be relentless, though. Faiferlick’s body has been overwhelmed by the disease, and a month ago, most of his treatments came to a halt — not by choice, but out of necessity.

That’s what makes this Saturday night’s event at Fort Frenzy so special. The Fort Dodge native and St. Edmond graduate will have the first official Mixed Martial Arts “fight” of his career in front of the friends and family who have helped Faiferlick pursue his passion every step of the way.

This isn’t about the struggle or the battle anymore, but rather, an opportunity for closure.

“This is similar to a bucket list, but I’m using the term ‘last life experience,'” Faiferlick said. “It will be an emotional night both in and out of the ring on so many different levels. Due to the very short time I have left in this world, I want to get as many last life experiences as I can get.

“Some of my family and close friends were very concerned about me taking this fight, and rightfully so. I listened, but made up my mind that I want this last life experience.”

Faiferlick was diagnosed with metastatic cancer in July. Treatment began in early September. The prognosis at the time was grim; doctors gave the martial arts grandmaster anywhere from six months to two years to survive.

The last six weeks, in particular, have been difficult on Faiferlick both physically and mentally. At one point, he had lost 40 pounds.

In late December, Faiferlick’s liver began to fail at an alarming rate.

“On December 29, the University of Iowa hospital saw my updated liver function numbers,” Faiferlick said. “We jumped in the car and headed (to Iowa City) immediately. When we got there, the doctors said I wouldn’t have made it through the weekend (at the current rate).”

Typical liver function after an alkaline phosphatase (ALP) test – done to measure the amount of ALP in a person’s blood (an enzyme in the liver, bones, kidneys, and the digestive system) – ranges from under 40 to 129 units per liter.

Faiferlick’s reading was 2,204.

Doctors postponed Faiferlick’s treatment regimen on Jan. 5. The readings stopped spiking, but the cancer began to spread without any combative medicine.

His liver numbers still haven’t reached a normal range that would allow a restart of the medication.

“This week I was down to 843 (U/L), which is so much better, but nowhere close to that 40-129 range. When the liver gets healthy, then we will restart with a lower dose of chemo pills or a different combination.

“But in the past three weeks alone, without treatment and waiting for the liver to heal, my number of (tumor) locations – by the brain, my left lung, liver, kidneys and a new one in my back spine at L5 – have increased, and the size of tumors have increased. It’s getting worse every week. I’m not sure where I may be in three more weeks, but I’m staying positive and trying to kick the cancer out.”

Faiferlick is no stranger to competition. He’s had hundreds of kickboxing matches and thousands of Taekwondo bouts both nation-wide and globally as an athlete, an official and a coach during a career spanning nearly 40 years. He’s a 7th degree black belt in Taekwondo, and holds a black belt rank in Sogo Ryu Bujutsu. He has six state championships and four national titles to his credit, and he has been a certified Level II coach and referee through USA Taekwondo Team USA.

Saturday’s event, hosted by Rick Tasler of Brutaal Genesis Iowa, will be Faiferlick’s first as a fighter in the MMA arena, though.

“I want to show more than just my Taekwondo and kickboxing (skills),” said Faiferlick, a United States Air Force veteran who spent 30 years in the military and was deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, Italy, Norway, Qatar and South Korea as a member of the Iowa Air National Guard. “I want to show takedowns, with a judo throw, and finish on the ground with a submission.

“Of course, the plan always changes when you get hit.”

Faiferlick’s bout is the seventh of 11 on the card at Fort Frenzy. Doors open at 6 p.m., with action starting at 7. Faiferlick’s match will take place at approximately 8 p.m.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing and hearing the crowd with family, friends, and supporters,” Faiferlick admitted.

Table seats are sold out, but general admission tickets are still available, both in advance and at the door. Tasler confirmed that a 50/50 raffle will help raise money for Faiferlick’s cause.

“It’s about so much more than that, though,” said Tasler, who has been promoting fights in the Fort Dodge area since 2006. “This is such an honor, and something that gets me emotional just talking about it. I really can’t put into words how much my friendship with Justin has meant through the years, and I know so many people in and around the area would say the exact same thing.

“We want all of his (support system) to be in the same area (of the crowd), and I tell you what, when he gets into the ring…it’s going to be incredible. This is a bucket-list moment for him, and being able to provide this platform for him is the least we can do. What he’s going through is tough and disheartening, but if anyone can beat this, Grandmaster Faiferlick can.”

Faiferlick’s world has been turned upside down by this disease, but his passion for the sport and his community has never wavered. In fact, keeping with a routine has been cathartic in a lot of ways.

“I have been spending all day at the Faiferlick Martial Arts gym,” said Faiferlick, who opened the facility 10 years ago. “It’s very useful to keep me busy and occupied during this stretch of my life. And knowing I have all my family and friends at the gym to visit and talk and talk about memories together.

“I couldn’t do this without my family and close friends. I hope others can clearly see they all hold a special place in my heart, and my desire to be remembered as a perfect son, father, and grandparent reflects on my commitment to nurturing meaningful relationships.”

Faiferlick has also looked inward, leaning heavily on the strong partnership – both personally and professionally – he shares with his wife, Deann; daughter, Kelsey, and her husband, Zac; son, Michael, and his wife, Ashley; and grandchildren Grace, Aria and Lucas.

“I’m so blessed to have these amazing family members in my life, and so blessed they are all here in Fort Dodge,” said Faiferlick, who retired from the Iowa Air National Guard in 2020 with the rank of lieutenant colonel. “I’ve been so incredibly shocked by the support from the community here in Fort Dodge, and around the state as well. Besides family, nothing is more important than this amazing community. Personally and through our Faiferlick Martial Arts business, we have made a positive impact on thousands of members.

“It’s very cool to teach four generations throughout the years. It’s been emotionally overwhelming. As much as we have given back over the years, actually hearing more community members share with me how we have impacted them means the world to me. That’s why we do what we do: (sharing) the passion to help others through their lives, not just in learning self-defense techniques, but working on character development every class with mat chats – physically, intellectually, emotionally, and socially.”

Faiferlick’s focus remains in the present, but he’s also thinking about the big picture – regardless of whether or not he’s physically able to see his vision through.

“My passion now is to leave a legacy of grace as a beautiful inspiration, emphasizing the importance of kindness, empathy and love in my interactions with others,” Faiferlick said. “I want to leave a positive mark on the lives of those I care about, and I’m hoping it leads to a lasting and meaningful impact on future generations.

“Cherishing my time with loved ones and embodying the values I hold dear can help me achieve my goal of leaving a legacy of grace.”