With the UFC leaving Fox and entering the ESPN era, changes were expected. One big question heading into this transition is how the UFC broadcast team would be affected. Well, at the very least, UFC play-by-play man Jon Anik will be staying on board.
According to MMAJunkie, Jon Anik will be calling UFC fights for at least the next four years.
Anik has been a staple during UFC broadcasts for several years. During his time with the promotion, he has called some of the biggest fights in the sport’s history. However, his contract was set to expire at the end of the year. Ultimately, he has decided to re-sign with the UFC.
“It’s a multi-year extension, and it’s very exciting for me to be able to be a part of this new era with ESPN,” Anik told MMAjunkie. “I think, as a lot of people know, that’s where I sort of cut my teeth in television and radio. And that’s where I really starting covering mixed martial arts back in 2007 and 2008, so it sort of feels like we’re coming full-circle a little bit. Now, 10 years later, the UFC and ESPN have the whole domestic package aligned, so it’s a good time, you know, and I didn’t make it a secret – I mean, this is where I wanted to be.
“This has become the foremost passion in my life, and I just couldn’t imagine my life without UFC being a big part of it. I’m thankful that it got done and just excited to continue to hit the ground running.”
The 40-year-old Jon Anik has been with the UFC since 2011 but didn’t call an event until 2012. Even though he had been with the UFC for some time, it wasn’t until former play-by-play man Mike Goldberg left the promotion that he really hit his stride Octagon-side.
At this time, it isn’t known how often the UFC will use Jon Anik on their broadcasts or if they will add any other commentators to their roster as they move to ESPN.
“I’m thankful to Dana White and Craig Borsari and Zach Candito for having the confidence in me to assume this role, and to replace a guy like Mike Goldberg,” Anik said. “To be given this opportunity, it’s not something that I take lightly, and I’m going to continue to prove myself going forward.”
This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 10/22/2018.