ESPN anchor and 'MMA Live' host Jon Anik signs deal with UFC
by Adam Guillen Jr. on Oct 27, 2011 7:00 PM EDT
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Scoot over Joe Rogan and Mike Goldberg, there's a new commentator in town.
ESPN anchor and "MMA Live" host, Jon Anik, has been signed on to be a part of the UFC's broadcast team, among other duties. According to a report from MMA Weekly, he's been signed to a three year deal and will begin work as soon as the UFC on FOX 1 event on Nov. 12, though to what capacity is unclear.
UFC president Dana White kicked off today's UFC 137 press conference (click here to watch) by making the huge announcement:
"I have been out there trying to lock up certain talent as we move on in this deal with FOX. He's one of the guys I've been aggressively going after, came from ESPN, I have alot of respect for him and what he has done and we finally got this deal done. Jon Anik will start with the UFC in January when we launch on FOX."
Anik was on hand and elated to say the least:
"Good to be here, so appreciative for this opportunity. Thanks to Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta and UFC President Dana white off course, Craig Borsari who was instrumental in getting this deal done. I believe the UFC's as strong a brand as there is in professional sports, but what really drew me to this organization was the people behind it, I think as strong as this organization is, it's the people behind it. It's a well-oiled machine; I just hope I don't get in the way. My first day is Saturday; I'll be there at UFC 137. This is where I wanted to be. If I was leaving ESPN, it was one destination it's the Ultimate Fighting Championship. It's a dream come true."
Dana White revealed that one of Anik's roles will be to act as play-by-play man for events on FX, as well as the live version of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) season 15.
The bossman did warn Anik that he will be a very busy man:
"With our schedule over the next couple of years and the things we have going on, Jon's going to be very busy here with the UFC. He's gonna wish he was back with ESPN."
No word yet on who will replace Anik over at ESPN.
What do you think about this new addition to the UFC broadcast team?
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Thank god it wasn't Gus Jonson or franklin McNeil!!
No escaping pain
You belong to me
Clinging on to life
By the skin o' my teeth
I'd like to add Michael Schiavello to this list of talent-less announcers.
and Trigg too….HDNet Fights needs to make a change.
Hell, I can get you a toe by 3 o'clock this afternoon... with nail polish. These amateurs...
You're weird. I can understand not liking Frank but Voice is #1
"It’s Mark Pavelich calling from the Maximum Fighting Championship,
I’ve just received notice that Drew Fickett or you, I don’t care which one of you fuckers did it, has signed a contract to fight in Strikeforce this fucking weekend. I’m going to get on a fucking plane soon and go where you’re at and choke you the fuck out. I’m telling you right now, I’ve had enough of your fucking shit. First of all, I’ve sent you the fucking pictures and secondly, I placed Drew Fickett in a fight fucking months ago and five weeks prior to my main event of my fucking fight card. You’re going to give me a fucking call tomorrow or I swear I’ll get on a fucking plane and go right where you’re at right now. You’re pissing me off, I’ve been nothing but professional to you motherfuckers and you’re doing this kind of bullshit, alright? Call me back, I’m fucking pissed."
by Swedish Chef smerdy herdy verdy on Oct 27, 2011 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions
He's not weird
cause I hate all of his unfunny and corny one liners that always bomb. That’s fine for the smaller shows but that’s where that shit should stay. He’s not bad besides that except repeating “goodnight irene” and “the big caboose” way too much.
If boxing is a science then MMA is astrophysics.
by Hank_Mardukas on Oct 28, 2011 6:02 AM EDT up reply actions
He needs to work on opening that left eye more to be a more well rounded commentator
it looks a little weak but with a little work I think they can get it as strong as his right.
by Shadows and Dust on Oct 27, 2011 7:19 PM EDT reply actions
Kenny Florian retires from UFC and becomes full time ESPN announcer...NOOOOT!
On a serious note Anik is a well spoken. I have seen MMA Live a few times and he speaks very clear and professionally… Good addition to the UFC broadcast booth. Thank it was JOE BUCK! (boring)
Ugh
Of all commentators out there they sign this robo reader?
Great addition! He is for sure a a huge step in the right direction.
Gus Johnson is as backwards as it gets for the MMA community.
He'll do a fabulous job.
He’s good at what he does and most importantly he’s from boston.
UFC 137 Main Card Predictions:
BJ Penn def Nick Diaz by 2nd Rd TKO
Matt Mitrione def Cheick Congo by 1st Rd KO
Roy Nelson def Mirko Filipovic by SD
Hatsu Hioki def George Roop by UD
Dustin Jacoby def Brad Tavares by 1st Rd TKO
by MMA Boss on Oct 27, 2011 7:36 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Anik will make a good color commentator "only"
Can’t have a guy that doesnt know MMA inside and out doing Rogan’s job.
"Did you know that if you mix equal parts
of gasoline and equal parts frozen orange juice
concentrate, you can make napalm?"
nobody can match Rogan
That guy is probably the only man that explains grappling well to laymen
by SnoopSteele on Oct 27, 2011 7:45 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Pat Miletich.
He’s the best guy to have in the booth. He can do color and play by play ….hell he’s done both together at once for SF undercards and does a fantastic job….hell of a lot better than rogan or anyone else for that matter IMO.
Listen, guys. You can take all these guys with their eighth education and their gold teeth trying to sit around and break down a fight. This is the most unsophisticated and un-well-thoughtout thing you need to do in life. Two half-naked men are gonna get in a steel cage and fight for the applause of a drunken rowdy crowd in Houston, Texas, on a Saturday night. We don't need to plan for this.
by NNR (formerly NameNotRequired) on Oct 27, 2011 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Ummmm
Rogan is the color commentator. Goldy is the “play by play” man.
On that note, who will partner up with Anik. Florian will sometimes but wouldn’t be able to train and do it for all the shows. Possibly Handy?
by Mayhem chimpanzee on Oct 27, 2011 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Fair point. He's probably going to be playing the role of "pro moderator"
All the major sports have shows with lots of athletes or coaches. I know Joe is neither, but I kinda think of him that way. I see Anik, being the guy in a booth balancing the different talent. Who knows, they may be trying to spread things out a bit.
I for one, would LOVE to see a true pre and post fight show. I hate it when the night ends on some crazy fight, or a controversy, and we have to wait until MMA Live or Inside MMA comes rolling around at 3am, several days later. Boooooooo
"Remember men, we are all winners in the eyes of Christ...except for the guy still bleeding on the canvass"
Anik gets along well with the athletes I think Dana will.....
keep Jon as the color commentator and rotate fighters in and out… good PR for the fighters, when rogan is out u can’t matchup Anik n’ Goldie, that would suck.
"Did you know that if you mix equal parts
of gasoline and equal parts frozen orange juice
concentrate, you can make napalm?"
Funny
how this guy couldn’t even pronounce Urijah Faber’s first name correctly a few years ago but know he’s considered some sort of MMA expert.
But it’s not surprising the host of MMA UFC Live would be chosen as to join the company.
He learned his mma just like everyone.
Probably not up on MMA history but what does that matter. There are people who’ve watched the sport since the early days who dont know shit about it. And think about the so called field of “Experts” that most ppl would name……I would pick Anik anyday over someone like Bas and almost all MMA fans act like Bas is an infallible expert and love to ride him in reverse cowgirl.
Listen, guys. You can take all these guys with their eighth education and their gold teeth trying to sit around and break down a fight. This is the most unsophisticated and un-well-thoughtout thing you need to do in life. Two half-naked men are gonna get in a steel cage and fight for the applause of a drunken rowdy crowd in Houston, Texas, on a Saturday night. We don't need to plan for this.
by NNR (formerly NameNotRequired) on Oct 27, 2011 11:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Michael Schiavello
Would have been a better choice by far. Dude knows more about combat sports in general and can expound beyond whats fed to him on a teleprompter.
I can agree with that. A schiavello-Militech booth is my dream team.
Unfortunately, he’s signed with HDnet long term i believe. Had he held out, the UFC might have picked him up. And i bet you all the suits would have sticks up their asses because he doesnt conform to all the robotic Fox standard. His personality might be too much.
Listen, guys. You can take all these guys with their eighth education and their gold teeth trying to sit around and break down a fight. This is the most unsophisticated and un-well-thoughtout thing you need to do in life. Two half-naked men are gonna get in a steel cage and fight for the applause of a drunken rowdy crowd in Houston, Texas, on a Saturday night. We don't need to plan for this.
by NNR (formerly NameNotRequired) on Oct 28, 2011 12:05 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
ROGAN
Rogan is the best in the business. He’s a large part of the UFC brand. That will be a sad day when Joe isn’t on the mic.
I HOPE THEY GET RID OF MIKE GOLDBERG!
He has to be added to that list of worst color commentators in MMA…Watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C31Vu6B9MFI
IT'S ALL OVER
probably not but I wouldn’t cry.
"It’s Mark Pavelich calling from the Maximum Fighting Championship,
I’ve just received notice that Drew Fickett or you, I don’t care which one of you fuckers did it, has signed a contract to fight in Strikeforce this fucking weekend. I’m going to get on a fucking plane soon and go where you’re at and choke you the fuck out. I’m telling you right now, I’ve had enough of your fucking shit. First of all, I’ve sent you the fucking pictures and secondly, I placed Drew Fickett in a fight fucking months ago and five weeks prior to my main event of my fucking fight card. You’re going to give me a fucking call tomorrow or I swear I’ll get on a fucking plane and go right where you’re at right now. You’re pissing me off, I’ve been nothing but professional to you motherfuckers and you’re doing this kind of bullshit, alright? Call me back, I’m fucking pissed."
by Swedish Chef smerdy herdy verdy on Oct 27, 2011 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Cardinals win game 6
"Remember men, we are all winners in the eyes of Christ...except for the guy still bleeding on the canvass"
what a cocksucker
a retarded chimp can do his job, How many fertitas u gotta blow to get to get a job at the ufc??
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