This weekend UFC 208 will take place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York and it will be the first numbered UFC event since former commentator Mike Goldberg left the organisation.
The UFC faced a lot of criticism for it's handling of the removal of Goldberg from their live broadcasts, as his final show went off without a tribute or so much as a goodbye from the company that employed him for 20+ years, but while speaking to Ariel Helwani he revealed that he was just one of over 100 people who were let go by the organisation's new owners with little to no remorse shown.
Ariel Helwani has since revealed the lineup for the commentary team at UFC 208, and again it will utilise a three-man team featuring Daniel Cormier.
Anik + Rogan + Cormier. The return of the 3 man booth. Fun trio. https://t.co/IcQLjoR7Zj
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) February 5, 2017
What is interesting about this is that seemingly the UFC have not yet found their replacement for Goldberg.
Speaking back in December, UFC president Dana White revealed that he was lining up his 'dream' commentator to partner Joe Rogan, and many including Chael Sonnen expressed their belief that it was to be popular US broadcaster Jim Rome.
That seemingly hasn't worked out, and instead Jon Anik has been promoted, alongside a third voice which will be Cormier for 208, to join Rogan in talking the fans at home through the event.
Meanwhile, Mike Goldberg may be set for a return to MMA commentary as it has emerged that head of Bellator president Scott Coker is in talks with the former UFC man about possibly working with his organisation.
#Bellator president Scott Coker says he's talking with Mike Goldberg about potentially filling event dates PBP man Sean Grande can't fulfil.
— Simon Head (@simonhead) February 9, 2017
Interesting.
It remains to be seen if we will see Goldberg commentating MMA again, just as it remains to be seen if we will ever find out who Dana's dream commentator for the UFC is.
