Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at 3:26 PM 
Today is Wednesday, June 01, 2011. One week ago this morning, I was just arriving at the Mandalay Bay Race and Sports Book where MMAjunkie.com Radio hosts their show Monday through Friday. Man, what a week it was. Last year, I came out to Las Vegas and hung out with the crew during the same week, and I attended the Fan Expo as well as UFC 114. Following that vacation, I never thought that my experience could be out done but boy was I wrong. I can’t even begin to explain how great this trip was. The work that Goze, Gorgeous George, and JRT Lover put in to make this event so memorable can not be overstated. Every single day between Wednesday and Saturday were filled with events and activities so that us MMAjunkies could enjoy the wonderful experience celebrating MMAjunkie.com Radio’s 1000th episode. Whether it was going out to eat and bowling with Michael Chandler, Mark Beecher, and Justin McCully; going out to eat at Texas de Brazil with Stitch Duran; or partying it up at Eye Candy with Ryan Couture, we were so lucky to have this opportunity in Las Vegas. Those are just a few things that we enjoyed during our time there. I know that there are bigger things on the horizon for all things under the MMAjunkie.com banner so get ready for the ride!
If you are an MMAjunkie, you have heard how great of a job MMAjunkie.com lead reporter John Morgan does not only for the site, but for MMA in general. It is widely known that if anyone wants to read the true story of current topics happening in the sport, wait until you see it on MMAjunkie.com. One of the biggest contributing factors behind the journalistic excellence is the work being done by John Morgan. Journalistic integrity goes hand in hand with the work that John Morgan does. MMAjunkie.com’s editor-in-chief and co-founder Dann Stupp even refers to John Morgan as “the single biggest and best hiring in the site's history”. While being out in Las Vegas, I was amazed to see how much work John really does. Not only does he put hours and hours into the site, but he also co-hosts MMAjunkie.com Radio as well as call the fights for promotions like Tachi Palace Fights, TUFF N UFF, and MMA Xplosion.
While out in Vegas, John’s busy days were quite evident when he was out to eat with us with his laptop in front of him at the table, as well as at the bowling lanes. I give him props for spending some of his time to hang out with us while he had work to do during the week of UFC 130. John’s dedication does not go unnoticed, and his “MMA Journalist of the Year” award at Fighter’s Only Magazine’s MMA Awards in 2009 is more proof of that. Not only that, but John is not afraid to rock a purple Adidas jump suit while co-hosting the show which is very commendable. I was very interested to find out how John got into the sport of MMA, and how he turned his fandom into working for MMAjunkie.com and being a large part of Junkie Nation. Here is what John had to say:
“It was Guy Mezger that first introduced to me to the world of mixed martial arts. A friend of a family friend, I was introduced to Guy prior to his UFC career, when he was just a kick boxer. That led to an interest in Muay Thai, and then the UFC.
I knew right away that I loved the sport. I bought every video I could find of events, instructionals and anything that related to MMA. Not once did I ever think it would lead to a career of any kind. Sure, I was interested in a career in sports journalism as a kid, but MMA wasn't even really a sport back then. It was just spectacle, and I never thought of it as anything more than the coolest sh*t I'd ever seen - certainly not as a budding industry.
As I was attending college, I paid my bills by working at a restaurant called Abuelo's. I moved up the ranks quickly, and I settled on restaurant management as a career. It paid the bills and was relatively enjoyable, and it took me to stops all over Dallas, as well as stints in Oklahoma, Kentucky and Ohio. All along, I still remained a massive MMA fan.
As I neared 30 years old, I realized I still had a passion for writing. I wanted to be a journalist, but I gave it up because honestly, I was making way more money in the restaurant business than I ever would trying to break into the sports industry. Still, something was missing.
A few years back, I was on vacation from work. I wasn't going anywhere. I just took a week off from work to rest, play a golf and (of course) drink an adult beverage or two. During that time, I saw a post at MMAWeekly.com. "TAGG Radio" host "Gorgeous" George Garcia was looking for a volunteer to recap interviews from his show for publication on MMAjunkie.com. Here was a chance to start dabbling in journalism again. Sure, it wasn't for any money. But hey, it gave me a chance to write - and about MMA, no less.
I sent a message to George, although I assumed he would find someone far more qualified for the role. After all, I had taken some college courses, but I never finished my degree. Still, George gave me chance.
It started during that vacation, and it continued when I went back to work. I would work my 12-hour days at Abuelo's, then come home and work on the interviews. Fortunately, my wife Daniela was willing to put up with it. Dann Stupp, liked the work I was doing, and a few months of volunteer labor turned into an offer for part-time work.
I stepped down as general manager at Abuelo's and promoted my assistant to be my boss so I could work both jobs. That carried on for about six months before Dann made the offer to a full-time position. It was a paycut, but it was a chance to work a dream job. I jumped on it. Coincidentally, my apartment lease was up at the same time. No longer tied down by a location, I talked my wife into moving to Las Vegas. If you're going to do something, might as well go all out, right?
In the meantime, "TAGG Radio" had become "MMAjunkie.com Radio." I was invited to sit in on the show when I moved to Las Vegas, and there was an instant connection with myself, George, "Goze" and Frank Trigg. The guest spot became a regular role and honestly one of the favorite parts of my job - even if it's not technically part of my job's definition!
The callers of Junkie Nation (even Jeffrey), make the show great. This is now my job, and MMA really has consumed my life (as my wife will attest), but I'm still that fan at heart. The chance to travel the globe to watch MMA and then return back home and talk about the experiences with Junkie Nation is a true honor. I've worked my ass off since taking the job, but I've never regretted the decision. Not many people in this world get to do something they truly love, and I'll never forget how lucky I am to do exactly that.”
Thanks for reading The Ph1sh Bowl. Please leave a comment!
Reader Comments (10)
This is my first time reading the Ph1sh Bowl. You never know Ph1sh, maybe a couple of years from now you could be doing the same thing Morgan is doing. You're calls are great and your writing is good too. Ever think of that.
As far as the Junkie Nation goes, I wanna come out for the next show you guys put on. Thanks Ph1sh.
(even Jeffrey) that was funny. Good read, thanks again.
Thanks for the love, Phish. Much appreciated!
Damn man, thats the American dream at work right there know what I mean?
Crazy, wonder if he ever thinks about where he would be had he not rolled the dice. Good job fishy.
We used to have an Abuelos out here but it closed down, that place is the bomb.
Greetings from Chicago, sorry I couldn't make it out to Vgeas but us poor people need to work. Ph1sh when you gonna do a bowl on me bro? Just kidding, another great read, thanks agin.
This was pretty cool. Ive never been on your site before, guess this what a lonely Friday night gets ya ha?
I guess when you think about it John didn't hit his stride until his early 30s, thats a big culture shock. He went from one end of a spectrum to another in such a short time. I wish I could do what I love but unfortunatly you don't get paid to play video games and smoke pot.
Ive always been curious what GG and Goze would be doing if they weren't hosting a show.
that was a great read. it aint true til junkie publishes it!