The job of mixed martial arts play-by-play announcer is often thankless. If you do your job well, don’t flub any names or say anything stupid, and no one is there to pat you on the back and tell you what a great job you have done. On the other hand, you can announce a dozen fights and make just one silly mistake or comment in an entire evening and you better believe that legions of fans, all of whom can’t wait to roast you on the internet, will have something to say.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s play-by-play announcer Mike Goldberg has been announcing mixed martial arts matches since way back in 1997, when he debuted at UFC’s Ultimate Japan event.

After announcing several hundreds of fights, it’s only reasonable to surmise that nearly anyone is likely to make the occasional mistake here and there. Mike Goldberg is, like the rest of us, only human. None of us are without our flaws, and Goldberg is no different. The only real difference is that at least a couple times per month, Goldberg has the whole world of mixed martial arts listening to his every word. So it stands to reason that names will be mispronounced, analytical errors will be made, and occasionally, hilarity will ensue.

From needing several tries to properly pronounce The Prodigy to his now infamous Diaz smells the opening line, Mike Goldberg has said some funny stuff. So sit back and enjoy a few of his very best foibles, but keep in mind, no one ever takes notice all those times the experienced and reliable Goldberg gets it right.

Jeff Warsaw is the former executive editor of Long Island MMA Magazine, professional combat sports public address announcer for several NY/NJ MMA and kickboxing promotions, and a proud one-stripe white belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under the famed Joe D’Arce. He is currently a musician, coffee enthusiast and host of the Stranger In A Strange Land podcast on YouTube.