Despite being widely recognized as the greatest play-by-play announcer in the history of mixed martial arts (MMA), Jon Anik, the UFC commentator, continues to aspire for even greater accomplishments.
In fact, Anik would be willing to retire from his broadcast duties right now if it meant a chance to become an official UFC matchmaker. That has been one of Anik’s biggest dreams since entering the combat sports world, but it’s a tough thing to pull off. That’s because UFC only employs a few matchmakers to pull all the strings behind the scenes. This group includes Sean Shelby, Mick Maynard, Hunter Campbell, and of course, UFC CEO Dana White.
Although Anik is an experienced journalist with extensive knowledge of MMA, he has never been involved in the operational and negotiation aspects. As a long-time UFC commentator, he aspires to realize his dream in the future and is open to surrounding himself with the right individuals to make it happen.
“For me, as a diehard professional sports fan, it is the absolute dream to be in operations, or to be a general manager,” Anik told MMA Junkie. “I would love nothing more than to be offered a matchmaker job and to put the microphone down. I just think I’m a little bit underqualified, while also trying to stay in my lane.
“I believe I am capable of taking on the challenge and immersing myself in that world to learn from Mick (Maynard) and Sean (Shelby). With my extensive experience in calling UFC fights and attending fighter meetings, I have gained invaluable insights. While I may not have specific credentials for scouting or negotiating contracts in MMA, I acknowledge that there are certain aspects of the job that I may not be fully qualified for. However, if the organization decides to change my job title and bring in someone else to handle the microphone, I am open to considering it.”
What do you think, Maniacs? Do you want to see Anik taking on the role of a matchmaker behind the scenes, or should he continue with his current position?
Let’s discuss!
