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 hosting the international broadcasts (Goldberg and Rogan will handle the play-by-play 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.
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