UFC Announces Hiring of Jon Anik from ESPN

Former MMA Live host Anik will host The Ultimate Fighter on FX, Ultimate Insider magazine show on Fuel TV

LAS VEGAS — Yesterday at the UFC 137 Press Conference, Dana White kicked off the event by introducing the UFC’s latest signing, former ESPN broadcaster and MMA Live host Jon Anik.

Today, the company released further details about what Anik will be doing in his new role with the UFC.

“The 33-year-old Boston native, who has served as a top ESPN host for nearly six years, will handle play-by-play duties for upcoming UFCevents to air on FX and FUEL TV,” the organization announced in a press release earlier in the day. “Jon will also fulfill the newly-created host position for the revamped Ultimate Fighter on FX.  In addition, he will host UFC’s new magazine show, Ultimate Insider, which premieres on FUEL TV in January.”

“Jon Anik has been a top tier talent at ESPN for a number of years and I’ve made it a priority to bring him over to the UFC as we start our new partnership with FOX,” White said during the UFC 137 Press Conference on the Brooklyn Bridge at New York, New York. “It’s critical to seek out the best talent in the business as our company continues to grow.”

After beginning his career with ESPN in 2006, Anik said yesterday that there was only one company he could think of that would prompt him to leave the network — the Ultimate Fighting Championship — and called the opportunity to join the UFC a “chance of a lifetime.”

“The UFC is one of the strongest brands in sports, and in my opinion, it’s the greatest sport in the world,” Anik said. “The product speaks for itself. More frequently than any other sport, the UFC delivers. I had the chance to be on the road at UFC events when I was with ESPN and what separates the UFC from other sports is that it prides itself on being hands-on and fan-friendly.”

“I look forward to helping play a small role in bringing the UFC to as many people across the world as possible. I’m really excited to a part of an organization that is filled with quality people who are the best in the world at what they do.”