10 Questions With Jon Murphy (3/14/2010)

[DarrickPatrick]

10 Questions With Jon Murphy (by Darrick Patrick)

Jon "Man of Faith" Murphy is a professional mixed martial artist who has appeared in organizations such as ShoXC, King Of The Cage, EliteXC, Combat In The Cage, and Extreme Challenge. He was also featured as one of the pro fighters on the television show Bully Beatdown. At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Mike Kyle in King Of The Cage at KOTC: Legacy on March 26th, 2010.

Darrick: What was the road that led you to professional mixed martial arts competition?

Jon: Truthfully, I've been astounded by the martial arts since I was a child. As a young child, I couldn't wait to get home from church to watch Kung Fu Theater on Sunday afternoons and any Bruce Lee movie I could get my hands on. I was also aware of a more spiritual side to the martial way growing up and that also peeked my curiosity. As I grew up, I excelled in traditional sports such as football, baseball, and basketball, but I always had a deep-seeded passion for martial arts that had yet to surface.

In 1994, I was approached by now great friend/trainer Jeff Walcott. He had began training under Royce/Rorion Gracie affiliate Steve Maxwell in 1992. He came to me and asked if I'd be interested in training with him and a few people. I jumped at the opportunity. My passion for the fighting arts began to take hold. I trained consistently for two years (1994-1996), but then went away to college and played football. Physically, this limited my time in the gym and on the mats, but mentally, I was still there. Fast-forward to the end of 2003. I fought my first amateur fight, I won by knockout, and I was hooked.

Darrick: Any words of advice for other individuals looking to compete in MMA?

Jon: The greatest advice that I could give is to keep on keeping on. There are times in this sport where you’ll feel the greatest highs and sometimes the lowest lows. Don’t get caught up in wins and losses. Do it because you love to do it, because you have passion. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself and have fun. This sport has brought me many blessings and some of the greatest ones are the friendships I have made.

Darrick: Who are some of the people that greatly influenced you while growing up?

Jon: I’d have to say my father had a big influence on me in terms of my athletic pursuits. He’s kind of a legend on the basketball courts in the area where I grew up and he always was there for me during my athletic career. He was a great all-around athlete and someone I looked up to greatly.

I honestly have to say that as I was growing up, I didn’t really understand what the term role model meant. I was really kind of a free-thinking kid. I was always thinking and wondering (what at that time seemed like crazy thinking) about what life was all about, why are we here, etc. I can say today that my childhood was a prelude to finding my true role model today. The impact and change that Jesus Christ has had on and made in my life is awesome! He had been calling me for quite some time, but as a child, I just didn’t understand. I had to fall down on my own accord as I grew up to find out where the real source of strength and knowledge emanated from. Today I’m a free man because of Him.

Darrick: Your next scheduled fight is against Mike Kyle on March 26th. What are your thoughts about this upcoming match?

Jon: It’s the biggest fight of my career. Mike’s a vet who’s been in there with and beat some very good opponents. He’s game and so am I. I’m ready to go to war.

Darrick: Who are a few of the people in the sport that you highly respect?

Jon: I greatly respect Fedor and not just for his abilities in the cage/ring, but for the person that is Fedor. I do not know him personally, but every portrayal I’ve seen of him is one of a humble, good-natured soul. I also have a lot of respect Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira (Big Nog) for the same reason. I’ve met some great people in and through this sport and I’m very grateful for that.

Darrick: What brings you the most fulfillment out of martial arts?

Jon: The greatest fulfillment I get is from studying and living the martial way. It is an understanding on how to not only fight in the ring, but also handle problems that arise in life. One of the greatest things I have learned is that anger/fighting with anger will sap you very quickly of your strength and stamina in the cage, and so goes it in life. Reacting with anger will sap you of your ability to communicate and make headway in life. It’s a stumbling block in almost all aspects of life. I’ve learned so much from the martial arts about myself and life.

Darrick: Outside of MMA, what are your other interests?

Jon: My greatest interest is spiritual growth and a greater understanding of my faith. My faith in Jesus Christ is the driving force behind my life. I read a lot on both spiritual growth and the Christian faith. I also like to fix things/build things. I’ve recently moved into a house with my fiancée and it seems as though there is always something for me to fix or work on, and I invite every opportunity.

I’ll soon be starting a nursery as my fiancée is halfway through her pregnancy of our child. In fact, we find out on Wednesday of this week (March 17th) if we’ll be having a girl or boy. A project I’ll be starting after the upcoming fight.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Jon: Hmmm, ha ha, wow. Let’s see... (Laughs) My mom’s going to kill me. When I was around five years old or so, I took a bunch of feminine napkins (sounds better than maxi pads) and stuck them all over the walls and ceiling in my room like footprints. When my mom came in, she cracked up because I told her a ghost was in my room and left footprints.

Darrick: Tell us something about you that most people don't know.

Jon: Refer to the answer from the last question. (Laughs) Also, I love to cook.

Darrick: When you're no longer amongst the living, how would you most like to be remembered?

Jon: Well, now I know I’m going to be remembered as the guy who plastered his mom’s pads all over his walls as a kid. All joking aside, I just want be remembered as a guy who truly loved and cared about others, loved God, and did what was right. Plain and simple, but of the greatest benefit after I leave this physical existence.

FOR OTHER EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS BY DARRICK PATRICK:

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=4974388&blogID=343519835

You can also check out Jon Murphy in the following places:

Official Jon Murphy Website:

http://www.jonmurphymma.com

Official Jon Murphy MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/aejm4ever

Official Jon Murphy Facebook Site:

http://www.facebook.com/jonathanmurphy44

Jon Murphy on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Jon-Murphy-19101

Jon Murphy Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/19101