Breaking: Jon Anik re-signs as lead play-by-play commentator with the UFC
Beloved commentator Jon Anik will continue to call matches in the UFC. The 44-year-old play-by-play commentator has re-signed a deal with the UFC, and it looks like Anik will stick around for the foreseeable future.
So incredibly thrilled to announce our colleague and friend @Jon_Anik has been re-signed by @UFC! Congrats, Jon! 🥳 https://t.co/ozMUOskQlu
Anik has been a fan favorite ever since being promoted to lead play-by-play commentator for pay-per-views (PPVs) after Mike Goldberg parted ways with the UFC in 2017.
The former ESPN anchor will continue to be the lead desk host on all PPVs and post-event shows.
Jon Anik will also host live events for the ceremonial weigh-ins before the fight and will be the host of the annual Hall of Fame ceremony. Furthermore, he will continue to be the host of The Anik & Florian Podcast with UFC fighter Kenny Florian.
Anik, 44, took to Twitter to thank UFC fans after news of his re-signing with the UFC broke. He wrote that he will not take this opportunity lightly and will continue to entertain the fans:
"So grateful. Grateful for the fighters. I hold you all in the highest regard. Grateful for @ufc fans. Your support gives me great energy to perform! Grateful for my bosses, who entrust me w/ this tremendous responsibility. I'll never take it lightly. And my colleagues...love ya!"
Check out the tweet below:
So grateful. Grateful for the fighters. I hold you all in the highest regard. Grateful for @ufc fans. Your support gives me great energy to perform! Grateful for my bosses, who entrust me w/ this tremendous responsibility. I'll never take it lightly. And my colleagues...love ya! twitter.com/UFCNews/status…
The last time Anik re-signed with the UFC was back in 2018 when he re-signed for four years. This time, however, the tenure has not yet been disclosed, and it seems like the legendary anchor has inked an extensive deal with the world's premier MMA promotion.
Jon Anik wants to call a slap-fighting match
Anik has called many legendary fights during his career. However, there is still one thing Jon Anik hopes to do. In an interview with MMA Junkie, Anik admitted that he wants to call a slap-fight contest:
"I love slap fighting, Slap Fighting Championships. I’m so compelled by it."
He further noted that no one from the slap-fighting industry has contacted him. Eventually, the UFC play-by-play commentator admitted that before his career is over, he'd like to call an NFL game and a slap fight:
"I can’t get enough of this stuff, but no, no one is calling my number for that just yet. But certainly, I hope before my career is said and done to call an NFL football game and to call a slap fight. I think it’s absolutely awesome.”
Watch Anik's interview with MMA Junkie below: