Jon Anik | |
|---|---|
 Anik in 2023 | |
| Born | (1978-07-03)July 3, 1978 (age 46) |
| Education | Gettysburg College |
| Occupation | Mixed martial arts commentator |
Jon Anik (born July 3, 1978) is an Americanmixed martial arts commentator. He began his career as an anchor withESPN for over five years before moving to theUltimate Fighting Championship (UFC) as a play-by-play commentator in 2012. Anik's expertise in MMA has made him a highly sought-after commentator for high-profile events, and his passion for sports commentary has earned him a loyal following among sports fans worldwide.
Anik was born inBoston, Massachusetts and is aJew.[1] He has an identical twin brother and two other siblings.[2] He graduated fromThe Rivers School inWeston, Massachusetts.[3] In 1997 and enrolled atGettysburg College, where he was a member ofTheta Chi.[4] He graduated with a degree inpolitical journalism.[5] Anik spent one semester atAmerican University inWashington, D.C., working as an intern for theGeorge Michael Sports Machine.[6] He has also worked in the sports department ofThe MetroWest Daily News inFramingham, Massachusetts.[3]
Anik is a former ESPN anchor and the host of MMA Live onESPN2.[7] He has anchored several live events for ESPN, including MMA Live's coverage ofUFC 91,UFC 94,UFC 98,UFC 100,UFC 101,UFC 113,UFC 114 andUFC 126. From 2006 to 2008, Anik worked for ESPN Radio, where he anchored SportsCenter updates and served as a fill-in host on Game Night.[7] He also did a weekly MMA chat every Wednesday for ESPN.com.[citation needed]
In 2011,Dana White announced during a press conference that Jon Anik would be joining the UFC.[8] Anik made his commentary debut during the international broadcast ofUFC on FX: Guillard vs. Miller.[9] He was the lead play-by-play announcer for someFX andFUEL TV fights with color commentator and former UFC fighterKenny Florian. He is also the host of the UFC's flagship sports magazine showUFC Ultimate Insider.He filled in forMike Goldberg to team withJoe Rogan atUFC 155. On September 22, 2014, Anik was a guest onAriel Helwani's MMA Hour and announced that he had signed a new, longer-term contract with UFC.[10]After losing a bet related to the outcome of theNate Diaz vs.Conor McGregor fight atUFC 196, Anik was obliged to have a tattoo of the number 209, representing the area code of Diaz's hometownStockton, California.[11] SinceMike Goldberg's departure in 2017, Anik has assumed the role of the UFC's main play-by-play commentator for allpay-per-view events.
On October 22, 2018, Anik revealed that he had signed a four-year contract extension with the UFC.[12] Subsequently, he was re-signed by the organization in 2022.[13]
Anik has made several radio and TV appearances, including ESPN programsSportsNation,The Scott Van Pelt Show,The Herd with Colin Cowherd, andThe Doug Gottlieb Show. Other appearances include: ESPN Radio 1100 in Las Vegas, ProMMA Radio,MMAjunkie Radio, MMA Weekly Radio, The MMA Hour, theSherdog Radio Network, and also featured on the ESPN UFC podcast every week with his "Anik-dotes".
Anik was the play-by-play voice for Season 1 ofBellator Fighting Championships. Anik co-starred in the MMA feature filmWarrior as he states "I was pleasantly surprised when I got the script that I had six wardrobe changes," Anik told MMAjunkie.com Radio. "I guess I was surprised I had that many lines. I don't know how many made the final cut, though.[14]
As of April 2015, Anik and former UFC commentatorKenny Florian started the Anik-Florian podcast. On the podcastmixed martial arts, sports and pop culture are discussed.[15]
Anik and his wife Chrissy have three children.[6]