UFC commentator Jon anik has revealed that he’s signed a new four-year deal 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.”
Anik was a long-time host on ESPN and hosted their MMA Live show before being signed by the UFC in 2011, which led to him eventually replacing Mike Goldberg as the promotion’s lead commentator.
“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. To be given this opportunity, it’s not something that I take lightly, and I’m going to continue to prove myself going forward.”
Anik estimates that he will be calling around half of the UFC’s 42 events next year.
