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Goodbye to Everyone
POSTED: October 7, 2008 - 3:09 am
CATEGORIES: MMA, Misc.
Well this is my farewell from the Fight Network. While I will not miss what has happened or transpired at the company, I am really going to miss some very special people that I have come to know and respect in my short time with them.
The Fight Network started out as the vision of Mike Garrow. Mike's vision for the network was one of the reasons I decided to leave refereeing and start a new career in commentating and analytical work. Mike has an incredible energy and is always coming up with new ideas and he did a miraculous job in getting The Fight Network from a simple idea into a fully functioning cable channel that covers the sports of Mixed Martial Arts, Boxing and Professional Wrestling 24 hours a day. It is very hard for anyone not associated with something like this to understand how much really goes into 24 hours of programming. Mike, thank you for the opportunity, thank you for believing in me, you will always be a friend.
Mauro Ranallo..... Wow. I don't really think many people truly know how talented Mauro really is. First off, he loves all combative sports, and he knows them better than most people. He is incredibly smart and has a photographic memory that makes the rest of us look retarded. Most people on TV are reading everything they are saying from a teleprompter. A very handy little gadget that fits in front of the camera lens and displays the words you are suppose to say. All you really have to do is know how to read and keep things moving. Mauro does not have or use a teleprompter. Mauro looks over a complete page filled with information and then systematically runs it down like he had 2 days to memorize it in only 60 seconds. He is remarkable. He has the ability to make bad fights good, good fights great, and great fights legendary with his commentary. Mauro, thank you for helping to teach me the trade. I listened to every word even though I was not smart enough to remember it all and was not fortunate enough to work with you near as much as I would have liked.
John Pollock is usually one of the behind the scene guys, but he has been stepping out and doing a lot of the commentary work while Mauro is away. John is like an encyclopedia when it comes to Professional Wrestling and really knows his stuff when it comes to MMA. John, I just want to say thanks, you really have a great future ahead of you and I feel fortunate that we were able to work together. I want to thank everyone else at The Fight Network for bringing me in and making me feel at home. There are a bunch of great people working there, John Ramdeen, Chris Tapanila, Chad Midgley, Anthony Ciccone, thank you I am going to miss working with all of you.
Last but not least I want to thank all the people that watch The Fight Network and log on to the website and read the blogs. I hope you have enjoyed what I have written about. You may not have agreed with it, but it was all written honestly. I hope to stay in the sport of MMA for the rest of my life. Is that possible, hell I don't really know? I have made mistakes and will probably make some more in the future, but I can assure you that I always try to put the sport of MMA first. I do not make statements or give opinions based upon whom I am working for, I always say the way I feel about things, some people like that and some people don't,
A few people have said that I have attacked the UFC. That is simply not true. I have never said anything bad about the UFC. I spent 14 years of my life trying to build up the UFC and make people understand how incredible the fighters of MMA were. I considered myself very lucky in the fact that I was able to be around the UFC for as long as I was and you never know maybe I will go back to refereeing and someday work another UFC.
To all of the higher ups that have taken over the Fight Network over the last year I only have this to say.............. Shame on you..................
COMMENTS (24): Submit A Comment
1. Michael
October 7, 2008 - 6:17 am
Did you forget to add something here John???
2. pauly
October 7, 2008 - 7:33 am
Damn yo. That's pretty sudden.
3. Steve Ashe's Burito Farts
October 7, 2008 - 9:03 am
It comes across as he's leaving the Fight Network on bad terms.
4. where is BJM
October 7, 2008 - 10:40 am
uh...or it is one of the shortest blogs I have ever seen...sounds like Elvis has left the building to me.
5. Koeikan
October 7, 2008 - 11:19 am
I love to see Big John referring to a possible return to the UFC...they need him.
6. the juice
October 7, 2008 - 1:10 pm
I think he s leaving because of Lovranski.......
7. Jai
October 7, 2008 - 2:27 pm
I just want to say this to whoever rubbed MR.McCarthy the wrong way........I spit on you. Big John is one of the greatest figures MMA has ever had. He is a symbol of this sport. Hold your head in shame. Let me put it into perspective.......if I could meet one person in MMA it would be Big John..........My favorite Fight Network "One on One" is Big John McCarthy. Big John.....because of you, modern Martial Arts reached a new level in it's evolution. You! Thank You! Fuck man, all I have to say is "Lets Get It On"= The four most exciting words I have ever heard.
8. Ratbas
October 7, 2008 - 3:25 pm
Does this have to do with not linking to Lance Storm anymore?
9. Cassius
October 7, 2008 - 4:40 pm
Sorry to see you go. As someone who's still relatively new to MMA, I really enjoyed the approachable nature of your articles.
10. Cannon
October 7, 2008 - 4:41 pm
What a loss for the MMA fans and the Fight Network. John, I'll miss your commentary on Fight Network Radio. I hope we'll all get to see you back in the ring again soon.
I wonder how long until John's blog gets pulled?!
11. Kirby
October 7, 2008 - 7:22 pm
Good-bye John. I have always enjoyed your insights into the sport and life.
That being said, I'll bet it was the marijuana column that's to blame. That's what happens when you speak truth to power.
12. This Guy
October 7, 2008 - 7:47 pm
I hope you continue to blog on other sites John as I have enjoyed reading what you wrote. Not to mention I am hoping you get back to the UFC, we can't just have Herb as the only ref you can trust.
13. FBD
October 8, 2008 - 12:36 am
Well, I was going to order the Fight Network but now I'm thinking otherwise.The last thing I want to hear is a bunch of clueless idiots talk about MMA like they're authorities, There's already enough of those around. Maybe I'll look into HDNET.
14. tom
October 8, 2008 - 6:07 am
to john,i was gutted when the greatest ref in any sport left the ufc!but then to my delight you moved to fight network were we got to hear you speak&read your thoughts!!you became so much more than you were in the ufc!and now you're going!!! i'm really gonna miss hearing&reading your opinions!! i'm in the uk&the fight network over the past couple of weeks has become almost a totally different channel!!i respect you even more for leaving the fight network now they're changing it for the worse!!i can't believe they've left your blogs on!!for how long?! goodbye john!!
15. Jeff Czuba
October 8, 2008 - 3:17 pm
BJM, I will miss your insight and opinions of mixed martial arts. Having been there from basically the beginning, you have a unique perspective, and I appreciate you taking the time to provide us fans with that perspective, as well as answering our questions, and wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
16. D.G.
October 11, 2008 - 5:12 pm
John...I wish you only the best, in whatever you set out to do! You are one of, if not THE most trusted voice in the fight industry, and much like your blogs, you opinions are always based in practicality and experience. Godspeed, my friend.
17. Jim V
October 23, 2008 - 10:59 am
I've enjoyed your commentary and insight. You'll be missed and I hope you go back to refereeing, you are no doubt the best at it!! Good luck!!
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November 11, 2008 - 11:07 pm
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22. magoo from canada
November 29, 2008 - 12:03 pm
anyone here see the finale episode of the Sopranos? just a thought! BJM you were all class and a true professional! Good luck in the future!!
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24. Kris
December 28, 2008 - 4:18 pm
I Listened to Big John On The Affliciton Pay Per View And The TKO Fights, I Think He IS The Best Color Comentater In MMA, Way the Hell Better Stinky Joe Rogan
