ESPN's Jon Anik joins UFC broadcasting team

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?

interesting choice, very uncontroversial, he should be fine really. I hope he replaces Goldie personally.

Cool news...would be cooler if it meant we were going to be rid of that fuckin Mike Goldberg.

wow this is great I view his chat each week he is great! Honest fun host. Ballsy move to ever leave espn he just did a football game and was moving up I think.

Im not a fan of Anik.

Nice, Anik's done a great job with MMA Live.

I like this addition he has a good voice.

josh200612 wrote:

I like this addition he has a good voice.

Great voice huh Josh???

Now if they could only replace Goldberg with Mir that would be the icing on the cake.

I like Anik, good for the UFC and good for him

ESPN is still thinking baseball is relevant and now Anik, who I really like is moving in the right direction. This is just one of many moves, the UFC is making to get ready for their bright new future. I can't wait to see what they are going to do when Florian retires fro fighting...

Andrew the Raider King wrote:

ESPN is still thinking baseball is relevant and now Anik, who I really like is moving in the right direction. This is just one of many moves, the UFC is making to get ready for their bright new future. I can't wait to see what they are going to do when Florian retires fro fighting...

LOL you're a fucking clown Drew

Go back to fucking cows OU, baseball is just old and slow, I know one person who is actually watching the World Series and he is almost 60. But thanks for your opinion, sheep banger...

Andrew the Raider King wrote:

Go back to fucking cows OU, baseball is just old and slow, I know one person who is actually watching the World Series and he is almost 60. But thanks for your opinion, sheep banger...

According to you no one gives a shit about baseball or basketball. It's just MMA and Football! OK Mr.Alabama, maybe no one gives a shit where you live. But real sports fans give a shit. Your statements just come across as extremely moronic, but I guess that has been your one consistent quality here.

Andrew the Raider King wrote:

Go back to fucking cows OU, baseball is just old and slow, I know one person who is actually watching the World Series and he is almost 60. But thanks for your opinion, sheep banger...

OU wrote:

Andrew the Raider King wrote:

Go back to fucking cows OU, baseball is just old and slow, I know one person who is actually watching the World Series and he is almost 60. But thanks for your opinion, sheep banger...

According to you no one gives a shit about baseball or basketball. It's just MMA and Football! OK Mr.Alabama, maybe no one gives a shit where you live. But real sports fans give a shit. Your statements just come across as extremely moronic, but I guess that has been your one consistent quality here.

Alot of people love Baseball!!!!!!

Andrew the Raider King wrote:

Go back to fucking cows OU, baseball is just old and slow, I know one person who is actually watching the World Series and he is almost 60. But thanks for your opinion, sheep banger...

Actually this is pretty true. There was a study examining the average age of viewers of the World Series. Ten years ago the average age of viewers of the world series was like 48, last year it was 52.

Not moronic, I look at the numbers and they suck! In Alabama, the only thing these ppl like is football.

Andrew the Raider King wrote:

Go back to fucking cows OU, baseball is just old and slow, I know one person who is actually watching the World Series and he is almost 60. But thanks for your opinion, sheep banger...

When I got to work and went out for a smoke and a cup of coffee like every morning I was asked did you see that game last night? My reply was, What game? Then I got laughed at. I was like...baseball sucks and it's too slow for me. They need to speed up the game and allow so long for each pitch and maybe, just maybe I would watch. I got laughed at again. My reply was, Well, I won't watch then because it fucking sucks!

Not a fan of Anik at all. Less than 2 years removed from him predicting Brett Rogers to KO Overeem. Stop playa

I don't mind him from a professional standpoint, I just don't think he knows shit about analyzing fights/fighters