The first UFC pay-per-view of 2017 is on our doorstep and that brings about the question – just who will be calling the fights on Saturday night?
The last pay-per-view that the promotion put on was on December 30, when veteran play-by-play commentator Mike Goldberg bid farewell to the fight fans who had grown so accustomed to his voice over the biggest fights in the organisation’s history.
“Happy new year everyone. So long,” was Goldberg’s final message during his last broadcast for the company with which he’d worked for since 1997.
What's next for Goldie? https://t.co/DDgSBjiANc
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) December 12, 2016
The UFC made it plainly clear that they intended to move in a new direction with their broadcast team following on from last summer’s WME-IMG acquisition.
“This has been my dream to assemble this dream team of commentating and I’ve wanted this guy for years and I’m working on it and it’s going to happen,” UFC president Dana White told Sportsnet last year.
“Joe Rogan in my opinion is the greatest to ever do it.”
That dream team, rumoured to involve broadcasting legend Jim Rome, has yet to be assembled but with Goldberg gone and the first UFC pay-per-view of 2017 set to take place this weekend, what do the UFC have in store for us?
Well, according to MMA Fighting reporter Ariel Helwani, we’re set to receive a three-man commentary team (a rarity from the UFC) for UFC 208, the card that will be headlined by the inaugural UFC women’s featherweight title fight between Holly Holm and Germaine de Randamie.
Anik + Rogan + Cormier. The return of the 3 man booth. Fun trio. https://t.co/IcQLjoR7Zj
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) February 5, 2017
Joining colour commentator Joe Rogan cageside will be Jon Anik, who typically covers all UFC Fight Nights and Fox events, as well as reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier, whose input thus far as a commentator and analyst has been praised by viewers.
Here’s what fans made of the news…
@arielhelwani I’d much rather just Anik and Rogan, not because Cormier is terrible but two man is better IMO
— Cory Brake (@ToneDef709) February 5, 2017
@arielhelwani bring back @eddiebravo
— shawneepoo (@Killing_theory) February 5, 2017
@arielhelwani don’t know why… but I ain’t no fan of an active fighter doing commentary, specially on PPVs.
— Rayao’ (@UnRayao) February 5, 2017
@arielhelwani Cormier puts me to sleep ??
— P.Manny (@OnDeckManny) February 5, 2017
@arielhelwani how long before Rogan goes aswell do you think? Terrible decision not to keep hold of Goldberg
— Liam Wilson (@LAWilson86) February 5, 2017
@arielhelwani hardy and rogan would be fantastic
— 8ballSports.com (@8ballSprts) February 5, 2017
@arielhelwani may order it just for that
— Garlic (@__jimbo_slice) February 5, 2017
@arielhelwani Trying to phase out Rogan?
— POSTALPOET (@postalpoet) February 5, 2017
@arielhelwani would luv to see tate do color commentary
— Jay (@bark_out_loud) February 5, 2017
@arielhelwani Bring back Dom, Cormier needs to focus on training
— ¡ZachWabason! ^S^ (@ZWabason) February 5, 2017
