Jon Anik responds to criticism of Joe Rogan

There is fan criticism from some quarters that UFC color commentator Joe Rogan is no longer as passionate about the sport as he once was. Play by play commentator Jon Anik appeared recently on the What the Heck podcast, and explained that that’s just not so.

I have seen some of that, said Anik. The social media space after these live events can be a tough space to sort of engage and habitate. But I think for Joe, there’s a lot of different factors. I think that he has never been happier in that broadcast booth. I hate to put words in his mouth, but I do think he enjoys the dynamic. He was in a two-man booth forever where he was just working with a play-by-play guy and he couldn’t bounce off of a fighter. I feel like it’s been an adjustment for all of us.

My job is a totally different thing in a three-man booth versus a two-man booth in terms of the real estate that I have, for what is asked of me. I can assure you, big picture, we do look at everything that people say. We ain’t trying to get worse. We’re trying to get better. If you’re asking me, I think he still adds tremendous value. I still think there’s a special, undeniable quality to our broadcast when he is a part of it.

I can assure you that he ain’t going nowhere. Again, I hate to put words in his mouth, but he absolutely loves this job and I think we had a little international flare with the pay-per-views at the end of the year—UFC 251, 253, 254—that he wasn’t a part of because they were happening in Abu Dhabi. But hopefully domestic pay-per-views return more so in 2021 and he gets a chance to get back out there more often.

It’s not that easy stepping up every eight weeks trying to do one of these things, and constantly having a revolving door with the broadcast team, but I love the guy. I’ve never been closer with the guy and hopefully he’s here well past me.

Anik also welcomed criticism generally, saying it improves his efforts.

Sometimes it’s hard for me to assess the totality of a broadcast right after the fact, said Anik. I feel like I would have to fine-tooth comb the thing to address the specific criticisms. I can tell you that, for me, I do try and take the constructive criticism and employ it in the next show.

For all of the noise, there is some constructive stuff that you can take to the next show.