Jon Anik will remain part of the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s broadcast team as the promotion transitions into its partnership with ESPN next year.
According to a report from MMAjunkie.com on Monday, Anik has signed a four-year extension to remain the lead play-by-play man for the Las Vegas-based organization. Anik later cconfirmed the deal via social media.
“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.
“…“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 joined the UFC in 2011 after working for ESPN as an anchor and radio host. He made his first broadcast appearance in 2012 and took over as the UFC’s lead play-by-play man in 2017 after Mike Goldberg left the company.
Beginning in 2019, the UFC will move to ESPN and ESPN+ for its broadcast and streaming package. According to the report, Anik expects to work about half of the 42 planned events on the Worldwide Leader, including the UFC’s ESPN+ debut in January. Anik’s next assignment comes at UFC 230 in New York on Nov. 3.