Lightweight mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Joseph Torrez might not be able to get the victory inside the "Rocktagon," but he sure as hell knows how to win when it counts.

That's a lesson four men learned the hard way when they tried -- and failed -- to pull off a daring home invasion in Dona Ana County, New Mexico, according to Las Cruces Sun-News. Chief among them was Sal Garces, 25, who died at the scene after being beaten and stabbed. His accomplice, Nathan Avalos, was transported to an El Paso hospital with "severe" facial injuries.

The other two intruders got the heck outta Dodge while they still could, but were eventually tracked down by local authorities, arrested, and charged with a pair of felonies.

After wining his amateur debut in late 2006, Torrez compiled an abysmal 1-5 record as a pro, losing four straight contests on the regional scene and getting finished in all four defeats. Not that it matters, since he was still good enough to protect his wife and son once the attackers forced their way inside his mobile home.

MMA will save the day.

That's not to suggest that all you weekend warriors should don a cape and start fighting crime, but sometimes moves like that come in handy. Just ask Abel Simmons, who choked out a would-be carjacker in Stockton, California. Or Joe Lozito, who submitted a rampaging subway killer in New York.

Then again, there's no shame in running, either, and living to fight another day.

Though "Bones" will still catch you.