In an industry littered with predators, sleaze bags, and schmucks, longtime play-by-play announcer Jon Anik, who took over for Mike Goldberg back in early 2013, is widely-considered one of the good guys in UFC.
And he’s known for being a straight shooter.
But Anik may be “losing credibility” with fight fans, according to the social media backlash surrounding his recent X post.
“UFC 327: Prochazka vs. Ulberg this Saturday in Miami is being hailed by some as the deepest fight card since UFC 300,” Anik
wrote. “It is incredible on paper. We broke down no fewer than nine fights today on AnikFlorianPod.”
Anik is referring to his popular combat sports podcast with retired UFC fighter Kenny Florian.
UFC 327 is headlined by the vacant light heavyweight title fight pitting former champion Jiri Prochazka against No. 3-ranked contender Carlos Ulberg. In the light heavyweight co-main event, Paulo Costa jumps to 205 pounds to battle Russian bruiser Azamat Murzakanov.
The remaining main card matchups include Curtis Blaydes vs. Josh Hokit, Dominick Reyes vs. Johnny Walker, and Nate Landwehr vs. Cub Swanson. Fun fights, but low stakes in terms of how these UFC 327 contests affect their respective divisions.
Anik’s tweet came at the same time photos of weak ticket sales were making the rounds on social media.
The comments under Anik’s post were all fairly similar, saying to some degree, “Hey Jon, we love you, but cut the crap, this card is mediocre.” Naturally, a few unhinged fans said far worse, but those unflushed turds always float to the surface regardless of what’s being said (or not said).
Personally, I stopped complaining about numbered events after UFC took away the $80 price tag.
Here’s a look at the two cards being referenced by Anik, who suggested the UFC 327 fight card was “deepest since” (and not “deeper than”) UFC 300.
First, the UFC 300 pay-per-view (PPV) from April 2024 in Las Vegas.
UFC 300 Main Card
205 lbs.: UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira vs. Jamahal Hill
115 lbs.: UFC Strawweight champion Zhang Weili vs. Yan Xiaonan
155 lbs.: UFC “BMF” Champion Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway
155 lbs.: Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan
185 lbs.: Bo Nickal vs. Cody Brundage
UFC 300 Prelims Card
205 lbs.: Jiri Prochazka vs. Aleksandar Rakic
145 lbs.: Calvin Kattar vs. Aljamain Sterling
135 lbs.: Kayla Harrison vs. Holly Holm
145 lbs.: Sodiq Yusuff vs. Diego Lopes
155 lbs.: Jalin Turner vs. Renato Moicano
115 lbs.: Jessica Andrade vs. Marina Rodriguez
155 lbs.: Jim Miller vs. Bobby Green
135 lbs.: Cody Garbrandt vs. Deiveson Figueiredo
Now, UFC 327, going down this Sat. night (April 11) on Paramount+ in Miami.
UFC 327 Main Card
205 lbs.: Jiri Prochazka vs. Carlos Ulberg for vacant light heavyweight title
205 lbs.: Azamat Murzakanov vs. Paulo Costa
265 lbs.: Curtis Blaydes vs. Josh Hokit
205 lbs.: Dominick Reyes vs. Johnny Walker
145 lbs.: Nate Landwehr vs. Cub Swanson
UFC 327 Prelims Card
145 lbs.: Aaron Pico vs. Patricio Pitbull
170 lbs.: Randy Brown vs. Kevin Holland
155 lbs.: Mateusz Gamrot vs. Esteban Ribovics
115 lbs.: Tatiana Suarez vs. Loopy Godinez
155 lbs.: MarQuel Mederos vs. Chris Padilla
185 lbs.: Kelvin Gastelum vs. Vicente Luque
170 lbs.: Charles Radtke vs. Francisco Prado
We’ve had 26 numbered events since UFC 300 and 55 “Fight Night” cards (see them all here). Whether or not a card is good or bad is largely subjective and we’ve certainly had a few stinkers along the way, on both the numbered and Fight Night side.
But surely one of the 81 offerings was “deeper” than UFC 327 … right?
