Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) commentator Mike Goldberg abruptly missed the mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion's year-end pay-per-view (PPV) event and no one knew when he was coming back.
Rumors immediately surfaced that he was holed up in a rehabilitation clinic, receiving treatment for an alleged drug addiction. However, "Goldie" recently emerged from his self-imposed hiatus to clear the air and announce that he is dealing with a "complicated health issue."
His brief statement (via MMAFighting.com):
"I'm doing well. Those rumors out there are not true. I'm dealing with a complicated health issue, but feeling better and hoping to be back to 100 percent by Jan. 26 (UFC on FOX 6 in Chicago). See you soon."
UFC 155: "Dos Santos vs. Velasquez 2" from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Dec. 29, 2012, was the first show that Goldberg missed because of anything other than a schedule conflict since his arrival in the broadcast booth in 1997. Jon Anik -- who typically handles the FX Network and FUEL TV announcing duties -- filled in for Goldberg alongside Joe Rogan.
It's still unclear exactly what is plaguing Goldberg, but the good news is that it apparently might only take 30 days to correct if all goes according to his plan.
UFC on FOX 6 will feature a 125-pound world title fight between Flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson vs. John Dodson in the main event of the evening, with a co-main event between Quinton Jackson vs. Glover Teixeira in what is expected to be the final fight for "Rampage" under the Zuffa banner.
If Goldberg is still unable to return, expect to see Anik filling his shoes once again at the United Center in Chicago, Ill., on Jan. 26, 2013.