UFC 287: Commentator Jon Anik Signifies UFC’s Return to Miami After 20 Years With Joe Rogan, Phil Baroni Mentions

The UFC caravan heads to Miami in almost 20 years, when UFC 287 will take place on April 8 at Miami-Dade Arena. Headlined by the much-awaited Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya rematch, the stacked fight card also features welterweight stars like Jorge Masvidal and Gilbert Burns. Alongside the MMA fans, UFC commentator Jon Anik can’t seem to hide his excitement about the upcoming PPV. Moreover, the UFC personnel, who is labeled by few as the best UFC commentator, booked a room for his family, as he passionately commences the preparations.

The 44-year-old sat with the former UFC fighter Kenny Florian in ep #386 of their podcast. Notably, the duo discussed the UFC’s Miami fight card, the super fight involving Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski. Additionally, they touched upon the recently announced 31st season of The Ultimate Fighter.

Jon Anik reserves a room for his family for UFC 287

The former ESPN anchor started the conversation as he mentioned, “UFC 287 April 8th. I already booked a room for my daughter and my wife at the W Hotel Miami.”

Following this, the play-by-play commentator stated it was merely 1.3 miles from Miami-Dade Arena. However, he also mentioned that the home of the Miami Heat, the venue of the fight card, needed naming.

Subsequently, the Boston-born expressed, “And for the first time in 20 years can flow. The UFC is headed to not Hollywood Florida, not Fort Lauderdale with respect, not Orlando, not Jacksonville, not f*cking Tampa. 305 Miami Florida. 50 minutes from my front door. Let’s f*cking go.”

The American commentator then disclosed that he received numerous text messages after the event was announced.

Anik recalls the last UFC Miami event

In the same conversation, the MMA commentator went down the memories lane as he pulled out a printed Wikipedia page. Markedly, the last time the UFC made a stop in Miami was on April 25, 2003, at UFC 42 Sudden Impact.

Pointing out to his co-host of that eventful night, Anik stated, “That night can flow, welterweight title fight, your old friend Sean Shirk and Matt Hughes. 20 years man. 20 f*cking years.”

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Further, he told the MMA fighter-turned-commentator that Florian was in his 20s and was embarking on his MMA journey when the event took place. In addition, the TV presenter informed that Joe Rogan provided the lead commentary. And the color commentator Phil Baroni and Eddie Bravo accompanied the famed podcaster on the panel.

Lastly, the UFC commentator summed up, “Very cool. Very excited. I’m gonna try to buy a bunch of tickets. And my daughter Riley, who’s 11, will be in the building for the first time at a UFC pay-per-view, which is very exciting.”

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What do you think of these statements by UFC commentator Jon Anik? Do you also agree with his standpoint about the upcoming UFC 287? Let us know in the comments below.