Jon Anik signs long-term extension to stay UFC's lead play-by-play voice on Paramount+

Jon Anik will remain the lead play-by-play voice of the UFC. Paramount and the UFC announced a long-term contract extension with the veteran commentator on Wednesday, November 11, just three days before he calls UFC 334: Gane vs Hokit at Madison Square Garden in New York. Financial terms and the exact length of the deal were not disclosed.

What the announcement says

According to the joint press release, quoted by Heavy.com, Anik "has been with UFC for 15 years and has become one of the most recognizable voices in the organization's history." The release says he "will continue his role as the lead voice of the UFC broadcast on Paramount+, beginning with UFC 334: GANE vs HOKIT" on Saturday, November 14.

The release also recapped his career. Anik is a former ESPN anchor and ESPN Radio host. He first signed with the UFC in 2011 as a play-by-play commentator for UFC broadcasts on FOX, FX, FS1/FS2 and FUEL TV. In 2017 he moved up to primary play-by-play duties for the promotion's biggest events and has kept that role since, calling title fights and landmark events around the world.

MMA Fighting also reported the news, saying Anik "will be sticking around calling the biggest UFC fights for the foreseeable future."

Anik's reaction

Anik thanked the promotion and the fighters in a statement:

"I am beyond grateful for these last 15 years with the UFC. I've had the chance to learn from and work with so many talented people. There is no live production team in all of television that I would rather go to bat for and I will never take this seat for granted. 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. I am so excited to be a part of what this monster organization does moving forward."

Second extension in the big-fight chair

This is not the first time Anik has re-signed. In 2018 he agreed a four-year deal, which UFC.com reported at the time. That contract came just before the UFC's move to ESPN in 2019. This new extension is tied to the promotion's current US broadcast partner. UFC events moved to Paramount+ in January 2026, starting with UFC 324.

UFC 334 broadcast team

Anik's first show under the new deal is a big one. UFC 334 has two title fights at the top of the card. Ciryl Gane defends the heavyweight title against Josh Hokit, and Kayla Harrison faces Amanda Nunes in the co-main event.

According to MMA Fighting, Anik will call the fights cageside with Joe Rogan and UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier. Rogan returns after sitting out UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi. Bruce Buffer will announce the fighters and Megan Olivi will be the in-arena reporter. Dustin Poirier, Dominick Cruz and Chris Weidman are set for the analyst desk.

Prelims begin at 5 p.m. ET and the main card starts at 9 p.m. ET, with the whole event streaming live on Paramount+ in the US.