Tag: Jon Anik

Jon Anik Names Perfect Final Opponent For Tony Ferguson After He Half-Retires At UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi: ‘That Fight Makes Some Sense’

It’s a hard pill to swallow, but Tony Ferguson has now lost eight fights in a row. Justin Gaethje broke his iconic 12-fight win streak in the UFC lightweight division and most recently, he lost to Michael Chiesa via submission at UFC Abu Dhabi. Ferguson was naturally overwhelmed by the loss but he didn’t lay […]

Continue Reading Jon Anik Names Perfect Final Opponent For Tony Ferguson After He Half-Retires At UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi: ‘That Fight Makes Some Sense’ at MMA News.

It’s a hard pill to swallow, but Tony Ferguson has now lost eight fights in a row. Justin Gaethje broke his iconic 12-fight win streak in the UFC lightweight division and most recently, he lost to Michael Chiesa via submission at UFC Abu Dhabi.

Ferguson was naturally overwhelmed by the loss but he didn’t lay down both his gloves in the Octagon. He was unsure about retirement and kept a glove just in case an exciting fight opportunity emerges.

If he returns to the Octagon for one last ride, Jon Anik has the perfect opponent for Ferguson…

Jon Anik Expects Tony Ferguson To Find Success Against Fellow UFC Lightweight Veteran Joe Lauzon

Anik recently appeared on Submission Radio on YouTube and talked about Ferguson’s career as of late. He credited “El Cucuy” for making a double-digit win streak in a competitive division like lightweight, and admitted how the eight losses on this record baffle him.

“The rainbow-colored nature of Tony Ferguson’s Wikipedia page, bro. I mean, it is indeed crazy to see 12 green stripes followed by eight red stripes.”

Anik wants to see Ferguson in the UFC Hall of Fame as soon as possible. He isn’t keen on seeing the veteran fight again but suggested that Joe Lauzon could be a viable option for his upcoming and most likely, final, bout.

“I was googling Joe Lauzon to make sure that he never fought Tony Ferguson because as I sit here and think about opponents that might make sense for Tony to try to realize some sort of success. Joe Lauzon still has fights left on his contract and for whatever reason, hasn’t competed, but I think that fight makes some sense”

Lauzon made his debut in the UFC in 2006 and is a veteran with over 25 fights under his belt. He holds wins over Jens Pulver, Jeremy Stephens, Chiesa, and Diego Sanchez, among other notable lightweight fighters.

The UFC commentator highlighted that Lauzon still has fights on his UFC contract. However, he hasn’t fought for the promotion since October 2019 so it’s hard to anticipate whether he would return for a bout with Ferguson.

READ MORE: Tom Aspinall Questions UFC’s ‘Unfair’ Decision Not To Renew Muhammad Mokaev’s Contract

Continue Reading Jon Anik Names Perfect Final Opponent For Tony Ferguson After He Half-Retires At UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi: ‘That Fight Makes Some Sense’ at MMA News.

Jon Anik explains that Dana White may fire him at any time: “He won’t hesitate to get rid of me.”

Jon AnikJon Anik could be out of the job at any given moment, the UFC commentator just revealed in an interview with Brendan Schaub. The UFC commentator was introduced to the cage-side booth in 2011 and has been a breath of fresh air for the promotion. His professionalism is what makes him stand out. As talented […]

Jon Anik

Jon Anik could be out of the job at any given moment, the UFC commentator just revealed in an interview with Brendan Schaub.

The UFC commentator was introduced to the cage-side booth in 2011 and has been a breath of fresh air for the promotion. His professionalism is what makes him stand out.

As talented as Anik is on the mic, the UFC will not hesitate to let him go.

Jon Anik says Dana White won’t hesitate to fire him

While speaking in an interview with Brendan Schaub on Food Truck Diaries, Jon Anik said:

“I do have a clause in my contract that they can fire me without cause at any time and that’s sort of unique for sports broadcasters. When I signed an ESPN contract, the whole deal is guaranteed. I’m not fearful of losing my job but I really do have my head to the pavement feeling like I have to earn it at every show. One thing I think we all know about Dana White is that if I have a few bad shows in a row, he won’t hesitate to get rid of me. I need to earn that seat.” [Transcript courtesy of MiddleEasy]

Importantly, Jon Anik added that Joe Rogan is vital to his success. He explained:

“Certainly having Joe’s support, because the thing is like we want Joe for the long term, and it just feels bigger and better when he’s there. And that’s the majority opinion and for me, there’s just such a different dynamic when he is there.”

See the full interview below:

UFC Commentator On People Underestimating Adesanya Ahead Of UFC 305: ‘Izzy’s Not The Type Of Beast I’d Want To Awaken…’

Jon Anik recently cautioned fans not to undervalue Israel Adesanya ahead of his upcoming title fight against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305. Adesanya is set to take on the reigning middleweight champion in the highly anticipated main event of the pay-per-view extravaganza, scheduled for August 17 at the RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia. […]

Continue Reading UFC Commentator On People Underestimating Adesanya Ahead Of UFC 305: ‘Izzy’s Not The Type Of Beast I’d Want To Awaken…’ at MMA News.

Jon Anik recently cautioned fans not to undervalue Israel Adesanya ahead of his upcoming title fight against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305.

Adesanya is set to take on the reigning middleweight champion in the highly anticipated main event of the pay-per-view extravaganza, scheduled for August 17 at the RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia.

“The Last Stylebender” is gearing up for his Octagon return after an 11-month hiatus—the longest of his UFC career. After his title defeat to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 last September, Adesanya took a voluntary break to concentrate on his mental well-being.

Adesanya is currently navigating the most challenging stretch of his career since his unsuccessful attempt to capture the light heavyweight title against then-champion Jan Blachowicz at UFC 259. Following that setback, he endured his first middleweight defeat—a fifth-round TKO loss to his longtime rival Alex Pereira at UFC 281.

In light of his recent performances, some MMA pundits have begun to question Adesanya’s ability to stand toe-to-toe with a formidable opponent like “Stillknocks”, with whom he’s shared a fierce rivalry for some time. However, Anik firmly believes that “The Last Stylebender’s” skills are beyond reproach and should not be doubted…

Anik Suggests Adesanya’s Success Depends On Tempering Aggression Against Du Plessis

During a recent interview with MMAFightingonSBN, Anik shared his excitement for the highly anticipated showdown between Du Plessis and Adesanya. The UFC play-by-play commentator emphasized that the simmering tension between the two fighters not only adds intrigue to the bout but also raises the stakes, making it a more challenging encounter for both competitors.

“I can’t wait, right? If I gotta go from South Florida to Perth, Western Australia, 37 hours from door to door if you really want to know—thankfully, it’s for a main event of this magnitude,” Anik said. “I mean, Izzy’s not the type of beast that I’d want to awaken or add sort of extra fuel to, but at this level, I feel like these guys competitively make for a fascinating stylistic matchup, and they’ll bury the hatchet. If there’s a knockout, you know, maybe there’s some extra friction here, but I think it’s just two guys who have a lot of pride in where they’re from and who they are, and two guys who just aren’t going to back down.”

Anik went on to say that although Adesanya is the premier striker in the middleweight division, he’ll need to rein in his assertive approach when facing “Stillknocks”, a dangerous power puncher. He added that the former UFC middleweight champion must be strategic in his offense to avoid getting caught by Du Plessis’ heavy hands.

“I’m curious to what extent Izzy is going to not throw caution to the wind but sort of manage risk and manage aggression because he is maybe the best striker that I have ever seen in there, and a lot of people like this matchup for him. He is the betting favorite right now, increasingly so in those latter rounds. You know, how is he going to manage risk if the bout continues to just come at him? You know, that’s a big question mark for me. I think Izzy is going to be in prime form. I just think that this is a guy you really have to separate from consciousness, and I think if anybody’s capable of doing that, it’s Izzy.”

Continue Reading UFC Commentator On People Underestimating Adesanya Ahead Of UFC 305: ‘Izzy’s Not The Type Of Beast I’d Want To Awaken…’ at MMA News.

MMA News Today: UFC Commentator Feels Fans Watch Belal Muhammad Fights With ‘Tainted Eye’, UFC Featherweight Star Rants About ‘Corrupt’ Olympics, & More

Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For July 31, 2024, we’re taking a look at: Jon Anik Says Fans Criticism Of UFC 304 Main Event Is Out Of Dislike For Belal Muhammad UFC commentator Jon Anik believes that some fans have been too […]

Continue Reading MMA News Today: UFC Commentator Feels Fans Watch Belal Muhammad Fights With ‘Tainted Eye’, UFC Featherweight Star Rants About ‘Corrupt’ Olympics, & More at MMA News.

Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For July 31, 2024, we’re taking a look at:

  • Anik says fans are biased against Muhammad
  • Allen labels Olympic Games as corrupt
  • UFC veteran says Mokaev didn’t have a leg to stand on

Jon Anik Says Fans Criticism Of UFC 304 Main Event Is Out Of Dislike For Belal Muhammad

UFC commentator Jon Anik believes that some fans have been too critical of the UFC 304 main event, due to their dislike of Belal Muhammad.

Whilst the majority of each round was spent with either Muhammad or Leon Edwards holding the other in a dominant position with little action, the momentum of the fight did swing back and forth at points.

Anik said that to make it clear, he is a huge fan of both men because whilst he may be friends with the new champion, his career will always be tied to “Rocky” and his title reign.

On the Anik & Florian Podcast recap of this past weekend’s event, he said that some were looking for a way to criticize Muhammad rather than praise him.

“So I’m not sure what exactly we are looking for, I think a lot of people just watch Belal Muhammad with a tainted eye and that’s why I tweet, “cry”, right. I am a Leon Edwards fan as anyone knows, ‘Shabba Madda Pot’ is my favorite song.

“My most significant call of my career is Leon Edwards, the favorite moment of my professional career is when Leon hugged me after the fact, six months later. But, it is time to put respect on the name Belal Muhammad.”

Arnold Allen Criticizes The Paris Olympic Games Amidst Multiple Controversies

The Paris Olympic Games are in full swing but this particular instalment has been defined by controversy from the very start.

In a recent series of posts on social media, UFC featherweight contender Arnold Allen voiced his opinions on how the event has become unwatchable over time.

He may have been planning to spend some time this summer watching the games after returning to the win column this past weekend at UFC 304 but “Almighty” has had to tap out.

Allen referred to Dutch volleyball player Steven van de Velde who qualified for this year’s games despite being convicted of child rape in 2016.

Matt Brown Says The UFC Made The Right Call Regarding Muhammad Mokaev’s Contract Status

UFC veteran Matt Brown weighed in with his thoughts on the recent UFC departure of undefeated flyweight contender Muhammad Mokaev.

Like many, he admitted that he was surprised at first given the ability and potential that “The Punisher” brings to the table.

Brown was also able to identify why the UFC would want to walk away from resigning the fighter, if he’s causing issues behind the scenes.

Crucially, he pointed out how Mokaev isn’t in a position where the juice is worth the squeeze given his profile in the sport and performances, compared to other controversial fighters on the roster.

During the latest episode of MMA Fighting’s The Fighter vs. The Writer, “The Immortal” said that he understands the promotion’s call after what went down on fight week.

“I’d probably cut him, too, to be honest,” Brown said. “It is surprising that they would do that, being that his ceiling is pretty freaking high. I’ve watched him fight before. The dude has really, really high ceiling. Young guy with a lot of skills, a lot of talent. But when you’re up and coming like that, you can’t just do that. I think the UFC has shown that before. When you’re an up and comer, you can’t be ruffling too many feathers. Obviously like some but you can’t be doing stupid sh*t like that.

“Once you’re Jon Jones and you’re putting all those asses in the seats, yeah you get away with some sh*t. Because you’re in business with the UFC. You’re a partner essentially,” Brown continued. “Whereas how many people tune in to watch Muhammad Mokaev? When he goes and fights in PFL, how many people are going to tune in and watch Muhammad Mokaev? So there are double standards or triple standards or whatever. There is different standards for every fighter. He’s not at that level to be getting away with sh*t like that. I don’t know the story but that (sucker-punch) sounds like a cowardly b*tch move, and I wouldn’t want to be in business with someone like that either.”

Read more on the story here.

For more MMA news, check out:

Continue Reading MMA News Today: UFC Commentator Feels Fans Watch Belal Muhammad Fights With ‘Tainted Eye’, UFC Featherweight Star Rants About ‘Corrupt’ Olympics, & More at MMA News.

Jon Anik believes Dustin Poirier has already cemented himself as an MMA Great: “I don’t think he needs an undisputed UFC lightweight championship.”

Jon Anik, Dustin PoirierJon Anik has praised Dustin Poirier’s legacy as a fighter, and claims ‘The Diamond’ does not need to capture the 155lb title to be considered a divisional great. Dustin Poirier has been one of the standout fighters in terms of pure entertainment and technical violence over the past few years. The native of Louisiana has […]

Jon Anik, Dustin Poirier

Jon Anik has praised Dustin Poirier’s legacy as a fighter, and claims ‘The Diamond’ does not need to capture the 155lb title to be considered a divisional great.

Dustin Poirier has been one of the standout fighters in terms of pure entertainment and technical violence over the past few years. The native of Louisiana has squared off against some truly elite opposition, including the likes of Conor McGregor, Michael Chandler, Justin Gaethje, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Charles Oliveira. Whilst ‘The Diamond’ may not have won every fight, he truly has been must-watch TV every step of the way.

Poirier’s career still has several years to go, but he has come up short in his attempts to capture the UFC lightweight title twice now, although he did pick up an interim title when he defeated Max Holloway at UFC 236. With Islam Makhachev now champion, and the lightweight division being the shark tank that it is, there is a good chance that ‘The Diamond’ has missed his shot to be an undisputed champion.

However, UFC commentator Jon Anik has argued that Poirier doesn’t need titles to be called a divisional great.

“I don’t even know how to be articulate when talking about Dustin Poirier, I just want to call him an f’ing gangster and say, ‘Oh my f’ing God, this guy, man,’” Anik told MMA Fighting. “Durability, focus, boxing fundamentals — gosh, if you’re in an alley, don’t you want f****** guy [with you], bro?”

“Dustin Poirier is incredible, and I don’t think he needs an undisputed UFC lightweight championship to prove any sort of greatness. This was a difficult matchup [for Poirier] in a lot of respects. Michael Chandler’s explosivity is a problem for a lot of people, and maybe if Chandler makes a little bit of a different decision at times in this fight, the narrative flips.

Anik went on to praise Dustin Poirier for his recent win over Michael Chandler, in which ‘The Diamond’ was forced to overcome massive adversity to order to take home the win.

“Dustin Poirier’s ability to recognize when he’s hurt, bite down on the mouthpiece, and then, obviously, his skill set is such that he is able to submit a guy in this setting, his ability to rise to the occasion, and then just the attitude after the fact to tell Michael Chandler — however respectfully or not — that this is his house, the octagon, which he’s essentially competed 30 times. Huge night for Poirier in proving that his UFC body of work counts for a whole lot, and obviously I have buckets of respect for Chandler in defeat.”

“It’s crazy calling a fight like that, you can be sure. I hope we did it justice,” Anik went on to state. “Brian Stann was texting me that maybe we could’ve done that fight more justice with our commentary, but you know, best we could do.” (H/T MMA Fighting)

Where do you think Dustin Poirier ranks in terms of all-time 155lb greats?

UFC Commentator: ‘I Consider There To Be Two Undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champions Right Now’

At UFC 304, Tom Aspinall will become the first interim title holder to defend his belt in eleven years. The Brit made the most out of a late notice opportunity at UFC 295 where he stepped into the co-main event to face Sergei Pavlovich for the belt due to Jon Jones’ injury that postponed his […]

Continue Reading UFC Commentator: ‘I Consider There To Be Two Undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champions Right Now’ at MMA News.

At UFC 304, Tom Aspinall will become the first interim title holder to defend his belt in eleven years.

The Brit made the most out of a late notice opportunity at UFC 295 where he stepped into the co-main event to face Sergei Pavlovich for the belt due to Jon Jones’ injury that postponed his fight with Stipe Miocic.

In most circumstances, Aspinall would now be the next in line to face the returning Jones in a title unification clash but “Bones” is still looking to reschedule his fight with Miocic for later this year.

With Aspinall looking to avenge his loss to Curtis Blaydes in the co-main event on July 27, some may argue that him defending the interim title is less significant than being the undisputed champion.

Jon Anik believes that whilst there may be two champions in the division, Aspinall defending the title would be just as significant despite him being the interim titleholder.

Jon Anik Says That Tom Aspinall Will Be Defending The Undisputed Championship Against Curtis Blaydes

In a recent interview with InsideFighting, UFC commentator Jon Anik gave his thoughts on the lay of the land right now in the heavyweight division.

He spoke about how Israel Adesanya considered his title unification clash with Robert Whittaker to count as a title defense despite him coming in as the interim champion.

In the same vein, Anik believes that Aspinall getting his hand raised in Manchester later this month counts in his mind as a title defense of the undisputed championship.

He sees it that whether the title says interim before it or not, there are two equal UFC heavyweight champions right now.

“Interim championships are a very powerful thing in my mind even if maybe in the past I’ve said that the belt should be silver, I consider there to be two undisputed UFC heavyweight champions right now and Tom Aspinall’s one of them. He’s defending his undisputed title as far as I’m concerned and for those that have the archaic philosophy maybe that a champion is not really the champion, and it’s my opinion that it’s archaic, but if a champion doesn’t defend their belt at least one time, then they are not the champion.

“I mean Alex Pereira never defended his UFC middleweight champion and nobody would dispute that he wasn’t the middleweight king. But, if Tom Aspinall defends the interim championship, as far as I’m concerned, that is an undisputed championship title defense.”

Read also: Kamaru Usman Calls For Leon Edwards’ ‘Killer’ To Come Out At UFC 304: ‘If You Know You’re The Top Dog…’ 

Continue Reading UFC Commentator: ‘I Consider There To Be Two Undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champions Right Now’ at MMA News.