Anik The Matchmaker?

Jon Anik is widely regarded as the best play-by-play announcer in mixed martial arts (MMA) history, but the UFC commentator still has bigger dreams to achieve.

In fact, Anik would be willing to retire from his broadcast duties right now if it meant a chance to become an official UFC matchmaker. That has been one of Anik’s biggest dreams since entering the combat sports world, but it’s a tough thing to pull off. That’s because UFC only employs a few matchmakers to pull all the strings behind the scenes. This group includes Sean Shelby, Mick Maynard, Hunter Campbell, and of course, UFC CEO Dana White.

While Anik is a seasoned journalist will a plethora of MMA knowledge he has never worked behind the scenes as far as operations and negotiations go. The long-time UFC commentator would love a chance to fulfill his dream in the future and his willing to surround himself with the right people to pull it off.

“For me, as a diehard professional sports fan, it is the absolute dream to be in operations, or to be a general manager,” Anik told MMA Junkie. “I would love nothing more than to be offered a matchmaker job and to put the microphone down. I just think I’m a little bit underqualified, while also trying to stay in my lane.

“I don’t think I wouldn’t be able to do it. I would want to invest myself in that world and learn from Mick (Maynard) and Sean (Shelby). Certainly, I’ve gained invaluable insight, having called as many UFC fights and having been through as many fighter meetings. It’s not to suggest I don’t have credentials that I don’t think could help that process. But I have not necessarily watched MMA from a scouting perspective. I haven’t negotiated contracts. There’s just certain things that I think in a broad sense go into the job that I’m underqualified for, but yeah, if they want to change my job title and bring in somebody else to crack a mic – I’m listening.”

What say you, Maniacs? Would you like to see Anik working behind the scenes to play matchmaker or should he stay put in his current role?

Let’s discuss!