 |
 |
 |
|
EliteXC heavyweight prospect Jon Murphy has seen his fair share of ups and downs during his brief mixed martial arts career. A former Syracuse University middle linebacker who played on the same team as Donovan McNabb, Murphy has experienced a roller-coaster ride thus far in MMA. Murphy's bumpy ride will reach new heights on May 31 when he faces 8-0 heavyweight prospect Brett Rogers in a scheduled swing bout during EliteXC's debut telecast on CBS.
Thanks in part to a distinctive look and even greater part to a 3-0 record, Murphy was poised for superstardom after turning pro. He recorded his third win following a stunning first-round knockout over former UFC heavyweight Sherman Pendergarst during Extreme Challenge 75 in March 2007.
However, Murphy would suffer his first career loss a week later after he agreed on short notice to participate in a heavyweight tournament in which the winner was advertised as receiving a contract with the PRIDE Fighting Championships. The problem is, Murphy ran into a guy by the name of Houston Alexander in the first round and was TKO'd just 56 seconds into the fight.
|
|
| Murphy is ready for prime time. (Pro Elite) |
Despite the back-to-back losses, EliteXC decided to sign Murphy to a multi-fight contract and he debuted last August during a ShoXC event. He rebounded quite nicely, knocking out Dave Huckaba at 19 seconds of Round 2.
Unfortunately, Murphy's shoulder began to act up and he would undergo surgery toward the end of the year. The injury was slow to heal and his camp made a decision to pull him out of scheduled ShoXC bout vs. Shane Del Rosario this past March. It was not the first time Murphy experienced an extended layoff during his career, as in late 2006 he was out of action after deciding to address substance abuse issues.
Murphy possesses a degree of athleticism rarely seen in MMA's heavyweight ranks. However, as he readily admits himself, he has yet to perform to his full capability. While Murphy is not the type to point fingers, it's obvious to any outsider that injuries and past substance abuse problems have prevented him from being the fighter he wants to become.
However, during a recent trip to Murphy's training camp in Philadelphia, CBSSports.com got to witness a happy and healthy Murphy getting ready for what will be the biggest fight of his career. Following his training session, he took time to speak with us one-on-one.
CBSSports.com: You've been very candid in previous interviews about your past substance abuse issues. Where are you at right now in your recovery?
Jon Murphy: My recovery is going great. I deal with it day-to-day, as they say in a 12-step program. It's daily maintenance. I use the daily meetings in a 12-step program as a way to get out and talk to people and get what's on my mind out. And it works in that aspect, but really what it comes down to day-to-day is being able release and let go to god.
My faith is what carries me through it. That's been my true cornerstone. And to tell you the truth, I no longer have any desire to use any kind of alcohol or substance anymore. It doesn't bother me anymore. I see what life is about now. And I see that all that stuff ever did was cause me to take 10 steps back; I'd never get forward. I would always dig myself a new hole, a new bottom. I never experienced life before. Now I don't want to ever have to go back to that. I'm proud of the fact that I now know that is no way to live. Through that and through my faith, I've never looked back since I've stopped.
Q: As I mentioned, you're very open about your past substance abuse issues, as well as your faith in Jesus Christ. Having covered athletes in other professional sports, I've seen a lot of agents and publicists try to deter their clients from being open about such topics. Has anyone ever tried to discourage you from being so honest with the media?
JM: You know what? In a 12-step program it's not about promotion or anything to do with the media. And that's really where I heard the most of the stuff about whether to talk about it. You don't have to tell people you have addiction problems with alcohol, but I want people to know. For people who would want to tell me that (not to talk), I don't care. This is my career. I'm not worried. This is what I do. Whenever I finish doing this (fighting), my life will still go on. And as such, I have to do the right thing. If I'm not doing the right thing because someone is telling me not to do the right thing, then they have to understand that I am not going to change myself to what other people want me to be. I think if more people took a stand for what they believe in that this world would be a better place.
