Since 2011, the year he joined the UFC, Jon Anik has become one of the most recognized commentators in all of MMA. His partnership with Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier has become stable in the UFC’s commentary team. However, Anik may be considering a role change as he’s mentioned wanting to ask Dana White to add him to a matchmaking role.

Jon Anik has been the go-to guy for Dana White whenever there’s a big UFC card on the horizon. His commentary chops have also created some incredible memories, which include the “That’s not the cloth from which he is cut” line for Leon Edwards at UFC 278, who went on to defeat the dangerous Kamaru Usman that night. So, why is Anik looking to change lanes now?

Jon Anik wants a role change from commentator to matchmaker

Jon Anik recently revealed that commentating isn’t the only gig he decided to go down in the world of sports. The 46-year-old, being a passionate professional sports fan, also has eyes on a role in operations or in management in the UFC. Anik seems desperate to land a spot on in the UFC matchmaking team,  possibly take a break from his commentary duties.

“I would love nothing more than to be offered a matchmaker job and to put the microphone down,” Jon Anik told ‘MMA Junkie’. However, there’s a catch and the 46-year-old commentator is well aware of it. The current matchmakers in the UFC have are well-versed in the game with years of experience, something that Anik lacks, and he’s well aware of it.

“I just think I’m a little bit underqualified, while also trying to stay in my lane… 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,” Jon Anik added. Despite the lack of experience, if the opportunity presents itself, he doesn’t see any reason to pass that on.

Having heard about Jon Anik’s wish to become a matchmaker, it isn’t surprising to see why he had been seeking a different role. In the aftermath of UFC 297, the 46-year-old was on the receiving end of a barrage of allegations from fans of him being biased in commentary. Thereafter, Anik claimed to have ‘grown a bit tired of the MMA scene‘. Maybe there’s a part of him still wary of those negative remarks which is why he wants to wear a different hat in the organization.

Nevertheless, in the wake of Jon Anik’s matchmaking dreams, many people might wonder who is in that matchmaking team currently. Well, let’s see who are the people behind the making of some of the most exciting UFC fights.

Who are the matchmakers in the UFC?

Most fans already know by now that Dana White and the Chief Business Officer, Hunter Campbell, are part of the core matchmaking team. But did you know that there are two significant matchmakers, too? Yes, two of them, and the first matchmaking personnel is Sean Shelby. He had previously served the exact same role while working for the World Extreme Cagefighting banner. In the UFC, Shelby’s role is concerned with setting up all the fights for the women’s division, except the flyweight category. In addition to that, the men’s bantamweight, featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight divisions are also on his watchlist.

Moving over, we have Mick Maynard. He’s currently performing two duties, one as the Vice President of Talent Relations, and one as a member of the UFC’s matchmaking team. The Men’s flyweight, middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight divisions are Maynard’s domain. Shelby and Maynard are the two most credible matchmakers in all of MMA.

What do you think? Can Jon Anik make the same kind of impact as the aforementioned matchmakers? Let us know what you think about the play-by-play commentator’s dream role.