UFC re-signs Jon Anik to multi-year deal as lead play-by-play voice

Paramount and the UFC announced on Wednesday, November 11, that Jon Anik has signed a long-term extension as the lead play-by-play voice of UFC broadcasts. The UFC's release calls it a multi-year deal but gives no length, money or other terms. It starts with UFC 334 at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.

Anik, 48, gave a statement with the announcement. "I am beyond grateful for these last 15 years with the UFC," he said in the release. "There is no live production team in all of television that I would rather go to bat for," he added. "I will never take this seat for granted."

He also thanked the fighters in the release:

"Eternal thanks to the MMA athletes, who fight and train so hard and allow so many of us fans to work in the sport we love."

Fifteen years in the booth

Anik, from Boston, was an ESPN anchor and ESPN Radio host before the UFC signed him in 2011. He called events on Fox, FX, FS1, FS2 and Fuel TV. According to Wikipedia, his first UFC call was the international feed of UFC on FX: Guillard vs. Miller. He later filled in for Mike Goldberg beside Joe Rogan at UFC 155, and in 2017 he took over from Goldberg as the voice of the biggest events.

This is his third new deal since 2018. He signed a four-year extension in October 2018, just before the ESPN era began. He re-signed again in October 2022, and MMA Junkie reported then that no details were released either.

Paramount and the UFC did the same on February 27, announcing long-term extensions for Megan Olivi, Paul Felder and Michael Bisping. Those came without terms too.

The Paramount era

Paramount's seven-year UFC deal, announced in August 2025, began this year. Every UFC event in the US now streams on Paramount+, there is no pay-per-view, and some numbered events also air on CBS.

Paramount named Anik its play-by-play lead in January, according to MiddleEasy. He called the debut, UFC 324 on January 24, with Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier, according to Sportsnaut. He was also on the call for UFC Freedom 250 at the White House on June 14.

We think this renewal was expected. Paramount made Anik its lead voice from the start, and it re-signed Olivi, Felder and Bisping in February.

Next up: UFC 334

His first event under the new deal is UFC 334: Gane vs. Hokit on Saturday, November 14, in New York. The main card starts at 9 p.m. ET on Paramount+, with prelims at 7 p.m. The early prelims start at 5 p.m. and also stream on UFC Fight Pass.

It's a two-title card. Ciryl Gane defends the heavyweight title against Josh Hokit, and Kayla Harrison meets Amanda Nunes for the women's bantamweight title. The release didn't name who will sit beside Anik on Saturday.