New commentator Jon Anik says broadcast partner will be a UFC fighter

Jon Anik still doesn't know who will be part of the UFC broadcasting "B team" with him.

But the list of candidates has been whittled down a bit, the UFC's new play-by-play man today told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio).

According to Anik, UFC officials told him his booth partner will be either a past or present UFC fighter.

The UFC introduced Anik as its newest commentator this past week. The longtime host of ESPN's weekly "MMA Live" show will be part of a second broadcasting team to complement the current "A team" of Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan. The B team will handle UFC Fight Night and The Ultimate Fighter Finale shows, and the duo also will be involved in the live episodes of "The Ultimate Fighter" that debut next year on FX.

Additionally, Anik will host "Ultimate Insider," a weekly news-magazine show that debuts next year on FUEL TV.

As host of "MMA Live," Anik worked with the likes of fighter-broadcasters Kenny Florian, Stephan Bonnar, Rashad Evans, Pat Miletich, Frank Mir, Miguel Torres and others.

He said he'd be thrilled to work with any of them, but admittedly, he and Florian have developed a bond during their time together on "MMA Live."

"We'll see what happens," said Anik, who recently relocated to Las Vegas to work from the UFC's headquarters. "It'd be great to work with K-Flo. We know a lot about each other, and we have that chemistry already.

"I'm looking forward to working with one of the best UFC fighters, whoever it is past or present."

Viewers can get their first look at Anik during next week's landmark UFC on FOX 1 event. Anik is handling play-by-play for the international broadcasts (Goldberg and Rogan will handle the duties on FOX in the U.S.). But Anik, who was Bellator's original English-language play-by-play man, said he'll likely appear on the U.S. broadcast in some form next week.

With his final "MMA Live" broadcast now behind him, Anik now awaits his UFC debut. But as for his eventual booth mate, he's eager as anyone to get a name.

"I'm just really anxious to hear who it is," he said.

1. Kenny
2. Bonnar
3. Mir

He would be heart broken if it wasn't Kenny.

Sonnen

bobbitt15 wrote:

Sonnen

I'll pass on that. If they are going to pick a douche, I hope that douche is Fransisco.

Sonnen is the best on MMA live by far because he isn't afraid to point out weaknesses and he's just a great speaker in general. Kenny is still an active fighter who plays that game like someone might be mad at him if he pointed out a part of their game that sucks. Chael don't give a fuck

bobbitt15 wrote:

Sonnen is the best on MMA live by far because he isn't afraid to point out weaknesses and he's just a great speaker in general. Kenny is still an active fighter who plays that game like someone might be mad at him if he pointed out a part of their game that sucks. Chael don't give a fuck

Is voice is so damn annoying.

Hopefully it is Randy Couture, all the others mentioned are generally blow hards.

I hope it's Mir. He comes off more natural....Kenny sucks and who cares what Bonnar thinks? If you care about what Bonnar thinks, i'll add that he's also horrible at commentating.

KingsOwn19 wrote:

I hope it's Mir. He comes off more natural....Kenny sucks and who cares what Bonnar thinks? If you care about what Bonnar thinks, i'll add that he's also horrible at commentating.

Totally disagree. I'd say Mir is by far the worst out fo the fighters listed. Kenny is most most polished and Bonnar is pretty entertaining.

Randy is alright. He comes off biased the few times I've heard him.

Tito is hands down the worst commentator ever. Right up there with Boom Goes The Dynamite Guy.

Farmer1906 wrote:

KingsOwn19 wrote:

I hope it's Mir. He comes off more natural....Kenny sucks and who cares what Bonnar thinks? If you care about what Bonnar thinks, i'll add that he's also horrible at commentating.

Totally disagree. I'd say Mir is by far the worst out fo the fighters listed. Kenny is most most polished and Bonnar is pretty entertaining.

Randy is alright. He comes off biased the few times I've heard him.

Tito is hands down the worst commentator ever. Right up there with Boom Goes The Dynamite Guy.

Tito and Frank are LOL bad.

I wouldn't mind Kenny, cuz I love that guy. But, I honestly want Sonnen for entertainment value and wouldn't mind them having some rotating fighters co-hosting with those two. Bonnar, Torres, Evans, etc. Now if they wanted a 3rd permanent person, I would say get Ariel Helwanni. His insight is always appreciated....

bobbitt15 wrote:

Sonnen is the best on MMA live by far because he isn't afraid to point out weaknesses and he's just a great speaker in general. Kenny is still an active fighter who plays that game like someone might be mad at him if he pointed out a part of their game that sucks. Chael don't give a fuck

That's exactly why I would like Chael. He is quick off the cuff on top of everything bobbitt stated. Ken-Flo is another top choice for this and he will probably get the nod imo. Bas is another guy I wouldn't mind seeing paired with Anik.

Bas is still contracted with HD Net. I wouldn't mind Pat Militech either. I have grown used to him...

Pat would be a good one...but i think him and the bald one have beef.

I stand by Mir...the only times i found him bad was when he was calling Miguel Torres fights.

I'm pretty sure it will end up being Randy Couture.

YES! Kenny would be an excellent co-host...

It has to be legendary fighter Cecil Peoples

Frank Mir !

"Huge thanks to all the fans who have supported me after the Fuel broadcast, looks like I will be doing the Live Fox shows now, power of fans" -Brian Stann

They need to get somebody besides Todd Harris on UFC Tonight. He makes it practically unwatchable

OU wrote:

"Huge thanks to all the fans who have supported me after the Fuel broadcast, looks like I will be doing the Live Fox shows now, power of fans" -Brian Stann

Stann does good, he is articulate and concise with coming off as pretentious or annoying like Mur or Flrionion

GDPofDRC wrote:

OU wrote:

"Huge thanks to all the fans who have supported me after the Fuel broadcast, looks like I will be doing the Live Fox shows now, power of fans" -Brian Stann

Stann does good, he is articulate and concise with coming off as pretentious or annoying like Mur or Flrionion

Yeah I'm cool with Stann. Glad he got the gig.

Stann is an excellent choice and he has got to love that he will be making money not fighting. Plus it just looks good because of his military history.

I haven't been really watching the Fuel pre or post fight shows but Stann didn't seem bad