Tag: Jon Anik

Jon Anik recounts time Shaquille O’Neal fired him up before delivering UFC intro

Shaquille O’Neal had Jon Anik starstruck right before he was about to go on the air.

NBA legend [autotag]Shaquille O’Neal[/autotag] had [autotag]Jon Anik[/autotag] starstruck right before he was about to go on the air.

The UFC’s lead play-by-play commentator was unexpectedly greeted by O’Neal as he was getting ready to deliver an intro during a UFC event – a moment that remains memorable for him to this day.

“I’ve had one moment like that, and I will never forget it because he’s one of my all-time favorite athletes,” Anik told MMA Junkie Radio. “So I wasn’t doing the standard pay-per-view open, but you may have noticed over the last two years or so, I’ll have certain situations during the broadcast where I do like a standup on camera where I’m sort of close to the crowd, and I’ll memorize something, and then I’ll deliver it and throw to a feature.

“So I’m getting ready in my standup position to do one of these, and I look down, and there’s a big hand reaching out to, like, give me a fist bump. It’s Shaquille O’Neal. If that doesn’t fire you up to fist bump that dude and then deliver to camera, right? I’m not sure how I delivered. It was probably one of the greatest deliveries of my life, right? It gave me a lot of confidence, the good kind of nerves. …Only one real instance where a celebrity was, you know, in sort of my frame of mind as I was just about to deliver something, and that would be the great Shaquille O’Neal.”

You can watch Anik’s full interview in the video below.

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Will Jon Anik call UFC 400? Longtime play-by-play commentator says ‘nothing is guaranteed’

Jon Anik isn’t sure if he wants to hang around long enough to be able to call UFC 400, but won’t rule it out.

UFC play-by-play commentator [autotag]Jon Anik[/autotag] isn’t quite sure if he wants to be the man on the call by time the next big milestone event rolls around.

Anik debuted as a UFC commentator in 2012 at UFC on FX 1. Ever since, he has firmly planted his flag as one of the best on the mic, continuing to improve over time. He will be on the call for the upcoming milestone UFC 300 event on April 13, and although he doesn’t see an end to his run as a commentator in sight, he isn’t ready to say for certain he will be around for UFC 400.

“As trite as it sounds, nothing is guaranteed,” Anik told MMA Junkie Radio. “So, I have to have that mentality, I have to have that approach. And as I’ve said repeatedly, I’m trying to create a gap between me and all the guys trying to come get my jobs. So, that’s really my focus.

“Gosh, I mean, to think about being in year 23 of doing this, eight years from now, I mean, I don’t know. I think that’s a tremendous run. I still think there are a lot of sports broadcasters, even Brad Nessler this weekend in his late 60s, still crushing it on the NCAA tournament. I just don’t know if I want to be that 55, 60-year-old guy sticking around getting the way of the young guys. At least right now, and for the indefinite future, my focus is on my craft. It is on mixed martial arts play-by-play, and trying to get better in terms of my preparation, my process and my performance for every show. … Hopefully, I can call UFC 400, but we’re just trying to make it to UFC 300 right now.”

If the UFC keeps up its current pace of events, UFC 400 will likely take place around eight years down the road. Anik, who recently re-signed with the UFC in 2022 for an undisclosed period, says his availability will depend on several factors. However, he certainly won’t need to be dragged off the mic if his performance slips.

“I feel like my inner circle is honest enough and tight enough that if I started to lose a step a little bit – and I’d probably notice it watching it back – but verbally, as soon as I start to lose some of the orating skills, I’m not going to be a corpse up there just cashing a check, trying to be up there for legacy or nostalgia,” Anik said. “I’ll be long gone.”

Jon Anik defends Bo Nickal’s UFC 300 main card placement: ‘There’s just a different electricity’

Jon Anik justifies why Bo Nickal should be on the UFC 300 main card.

[autotag]Jon Anik[/autotag] justifies why [autotag]Bo Nickal[/autotag] should be on the UFC 300 main card.

Nickal (5-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) opens up the April 13 main card against Cody Brundage (10-5 MMA, 4-4 UFC) at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, placing him above the likes of former champion Jiri Prochazka, former champ Aljamain Sterling and the UFC debut of two-time PFL winner and two-time Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison.

The UFC’s lead play-by-play commentator argues that the lure surrounding standout wrestler Nickal warrants a main card spot, even though the matchup against Brundage may not be that intriguing.

“Khamzat Chimaev, I would even throw out there 18-year-old Raul Rosas Jr., Bo Nickal – there’s just a different electricity when it comes to some of these guys,” Anik told MMA Junkie Radio. “You parlay their fight style with the expectation, and the pressure, and the fan intrigue, and I just think Bo Nickal checks a lot of boxes.

“For us, when we get through our pay-per-view open, and we have that exhale moment, when we get to sit down and watch that first fight on pay-per-view with all the masses around the world, that’s a very strategic position on the card. It’s a prime slot. Maybe at times you don’t get as many people as seen on during the featured prelim on ESPN, but they don’t mess around when it comes to that first fight. I can’t necessarily speak to Cody Brundage and the decision to feature him against Bo Nickal.”

According to BetMGM, Nickal is a whopping -2100 favorite, meaning it would take a $2,100 bet on the rising star to return a $100 profit. Brundage is a +1100 underdog, meaning a $100 bet on the Factory X fighter would win $1,100 profit.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.

MMA Junkie Radio #3449: Jon Anik interview, UFC Saudi Arabia with Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev, more

Check out the latest episode of MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze.”

Thursday’s edition of MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here.

On Episode 3,449, the guys welcome in UFC commentator Jon Anik. The fellas also discuss the announcement of the UFC Saudi Arabia card, which is headlined by Robert Whittaker vs. Khazmat Chimaev. Tune in!

UFC 299 commentary team, broadcast plans set: Lead PPV team with Joe Rogan gets first call of 2024

The UFC’s lead commentary team of Jon Anik, Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier will call its first card of 2024 at UFC 299 in Miami.

The third numbered UFC event of 2024 is rapidly approaching with UFC 299 on Saturday at Kaseya Center in Miami.

As always, some marquee on-air talent will be there to help guide viewers through the experience.

Details of who will be working as commentators and analysts for the show have been acquired by MMA Junkie through a person with knowledge of the plans – and you can see the scheduled broadcast team below.

Jon Anik wants to see Brian Ortega face Movsar Evloev in five-round title eliminator

Jon Anik thinks Brian Ortega should take on one more top contender before getting a title shot.

[autotag]Jon Anik[/autotag] thinks [autotag]Brian Ortega[/autotag] should take on one more top contender before getting a title shot.

Ortega (15-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) avenged his loss to Yair Rodriguez (18-5 MMA, 10-4 UFC) by submitting him this past Saturday in Mexico City.

With undefeated [autotag]Movsar Evloev[/autotag] (18-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) putting together an impressive run in the octagon, the UFC play-by-play commentator would like to see Ortega go up against Evloev in a No. 1 contender bout.

“Perhaps Brian Ortega will be next. I would like to see Brian Ortega fight Movsar Evloev,” Anik said on his “Anik & Florian” podcast. “I think that is the fight to make as a five-round main event, as a championship title eliminator.”

Anik says that will depend on what’s next for newly crowned featherweight champion Ilia Topuria, who knocked out Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 to capture the title. Volkanovski is keen to get an immediate rematch, but Anik thinks Ortega may have slid himself into the title picture with his impressive finish of Rodriguez.

“I think a lot of the questions have to do with the calendar and getting a venue in Spain and Alexander Volkanovski’s desire to take some time off or turn around quickly,” Anik said.

“(It’s) not out of the realm of possibility that on the strength of this win (over Rodriguez), that Brian Ortega has set up a date with Ilia Topuria for the undisputed UFC featherweight title.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 237.

Video: Jon Anik previews UFC 298 storylines, including Alexander Volkanovski’s possible featherweight exit

Jon Anik thinks Saturday’s UFC 298 main card is “disgustingly good,” and he expects significant fallout from the top fights on the card.

IRVINE, Calif. – Lead UFC play-by-play man [autotag]Jon Anik[/autotag] thinks Saturday’s UFC 298 main card is “disgustingly good,” and he expects some significant fallout from the top four fights on the card.

The headliner of the event, which takes place at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+), will see Alexander Volkanovski put his featherweight title on the line against unbeaten challenger Ilia Topuria. The reigning champion Volkanovski (26-3 MMA, 13-2 UFC) admits a move back to lightweight is on his radar, and Topuria (14-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) has made it clear he intends to send him there – or into retirement – on a loss.

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Other key action on the card, meanwhile, includes Robert Whittaker (24-7 MMA, 15-5 UFC) vs. Paulo Costa (14-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) in a middleweight co-headliner, Geoff Neal (15-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC) vs. Ian Machado Garry (13-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) at welterweight, and Merab Dvalishvili (16-4 MMA, 9-2 UFC) vs. former two-division UFC champ Henry Cejudo (16-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC).

Ahead of UFC 298, Anik joined MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn to preview the top storylines around the second numbered event of 2024.

Check out the complete video above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 298.

UFC 298 commentary team, broadcast plans set: Michael Bisping joins Jon Anik, Joe Rogan in booth

Daniel Cormier won’t be on the call for UFC 298 and instead Michael Bisping will join Jon Anik and Joe Rogan as cageside commentators.

The second numbered UFC event of 2024 is rapidly approaching with UFC 298 on Saturday at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.

As always, some marquee on-air talent will be there to help guide viewers through the experience.

Details of who will be working as commentators and analysts for the show have been acquired by MMA Junkie through a person with knowledge of the plans – and you can see the scheduled broadcast team below.

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UFC commentator Jon Anik apologizes for criticizing MMA fanbase: ‘I made some regrettable comments’

Jon Anik has issued an apology over his recent comments criticizing the MMA fanbase.

[autotag]Jon Anik[/autotag] has issued an apology to the MMA fanbase.

The UFC play-by-play commentator took to Instagram on Saturday to apologize to MMA fans for his comments expressing his frustration with the way some have reacted following UFC 297 last weekend. Anik aired his frustration with the community and the attacks some fans have been dishing out regarding Sean Strickland’s close defeat to Dricus Du Plessis.

“Last week on my podcast, I was in a heightened emotional state following myriad allegations of bias at UFC 297 and I made some regrettable comments relating to the MMA fan base,” Anik wrote on Instagram. “While I was surprised at the extent to which my comments were re-purposed and sensationalized, I need to be more responsible on an n open microphone.

“So much work goes into the execution of just one UFC pay-per-view, so it can be tough when my integrity on the broadcast is called into question. That doesn’t excuse my retort. I am just a fiery, passionate, flawed, empathetic guy and sometimes my emotions lead the dance. To those MMA fans whom I’ve offended, I am sorry. That was not mu intention. For 12 years, I’ve prided myself on being accessible to the fan base, and that will continue. I’ve learned a lot over the last 48 hours. On to Anaheim…”

https://www.instagram.com/p/C2m79NUu_gF/?igsh=MTBwbWVuMWxmcXZiOQ%3D%3D

Anik’s comments following UFC 297 caused a big reaction in the MMA community, with many coming to his support, while others criticized his words – including Strickland.

Strickland lost his UFC middleweight title in the main event of UFC 297 in Toronto. It was a competitive fight with some people scoring it in his favor.

Two judges scored the fight 48-47 in favor of Du Plessis, while the third scored it 48-47 Strickland’s way. Regardless of the result, it was a competitive fight where both fighters had their moments.

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Sean Strickland responds to Jon Anik’s frustration with MMA fans: ‘These people are the way you have a paycheck’

Sean Strickland fires back at UFC commentator Jon Anik.

[autotag]Sean Strickland[/autotag] has fired back at UFC commentator [autotag]Jon Anik[/autotag] for airing his frustration with the MMA fan base.

Anik revealed this week that he’s been feeling disappointed with the MMA community, given the negative comments and criticism he’s seen from fans following Strickland’s split decision loss to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 297. Anik believes fans, who are supporting Strickland (28-6 MMA, 15-6 UFC), are unjustly throwing attacks despite pundits and analysts trying to be as objective as possible when discussing Strickland’s defeat.

Anik went as far as saying that he’s been questioning his future in MMA, and has considered pivoting to working with the NFL, given the toxicity of the MMA fan base. Strickland thinks this is a good idea.

“What I’d say to Jon Anik calling MMA fans “The lowest common denominator,” these people are (the) way you have a paycheck, and you make way more than most,” Strickland wrote on X. “Maybe the NFL is a better choice for you than MMA. Also, you guys are a bunch of savage c*nts. I’m here for it.”

Strickland lost his UFC middleweight title in the main event of UFC 297 in Toronto. It was a competitive fight that had some people scoring the fight in his favor – including UFC CEO Dana White.

Two judges scored the fight 48-47 in favor of Du Plessis, while the third scored it 48-47 Strickland’s way. Regardless of the result, it was a competitive fight where both fighters had their moments.

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