Yes, Jon Anik is staying as the voice of the UFC: the UFC and Paramount announced on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, a long-term contract extension that keeps him as lead play-by-play commentator, starting with UFC 334: Gane vs. Hokit at Madison Square Garden in New York on Saturday, Nov. 14.
What was announced
According to the joint press release, as quoted by Heavy.com, Anik "will continue his role as the lead voice of the UFC broadcast on Paramount+". The length of the deal and its financial terms were not disclosed. The release called Anik, who has been with the UFC for 15 years, "one of the most recognizable voices in the organization's history". MMA Fighting also reported the news, saying Anik will keep calling the biggest UFC fights for the foreseeable future.
In his statement in the release, Anik said: "I am beyond grateful for these last 15 years with the UFC." He added that there is "no live production team in all of television that I would rather go to bat for" and that he "will never take this seat for granted". He also thanked the fighters, who he said "allow so many of us fans to work in the sport we love".
Anik's path with the UFC
Anik is a former ESPN anchor and ESPN Radio host. Per the release, he first signed with the UFC in 2011 as a play-by-play commentator for UFC on FOX, FX, FS1/FS2 and FUEL TV broadcasts. In 2017 he moved up to primary play-by-play duties for the promotion's biggest events and has held that role since.
What comes next: UFC 334
Anik's first assignment under the new deal is UFC 334 this Saturday. MMA Junkie reported on Nov. 10 that he will call the card cageside alongside color commentators Daniel Cormier and Joe Rogan, with Bruce Buffer as octagon announcer.
Cormier's record in the Pugna MMA database is 22-3-0 with one no contest. His last bout was a unanimous-decision loss to Stipe Miocic in a heavyweight title fight at UFC 252 in August 2020.
The main event is a heavyweight title fight between champion Ciryl Gane and No. 4 contender Josh Hokit, and the co-main event is a women's bantamweight title fight between champion Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes, per the UFC. The prelims include Jim Miller against Terrance McKinney at lightweight and Donte Johnson against César Almeida at middleweight, and Jared Gordon faces Melquizael Costa at lightweight on the early prelims.
According to UFC.com, the whole card streams on Paramount+ in the U.S. The early prelims start at 5 p.m. ET (23:00 CET), the prelims at 7 p.m. ET (01:00 CET on Sunday) and the main card at 9 p.m. ET (03:00 CET on Sunday).
Follow UFC 334 live round by round and pick the winners in the free Pugna MMA app, with live MMA results and a free no-money prediction game in eight languages.
Sources
This article was generated with AI and may contain errors.