NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal had Jon Anik starstruck right before he was about to go on the air. The UFC’s lead play-by-play commentator was unexpectedly greeted by O’Neal as he was getting ready to deliver an intro during a UFC event – a moment that remains memorable for him to this day. “I’ve had one moment like that, and I will never forget it because he’s one of my all-time favorite athletes,” Anik told MMA Junkie Radio. “So I wasn’t doing the standard pay-per-view open, but you may have noticed over the last two years or so, I’ll have certain situations during the broadcast where I do like a standup on camera where I’m sort of close to the crowd, and I’ll memorize something, and then I’ll deliver it and throw to a feature.

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March 30, 2024

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March 29, 2024

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March 28, 2024

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February 29, 2024

UFC Fight Night 238 commentary team, broadcast plans set: Jon Anik joined by two UFC Hall of Famers

February 27, 2024

Video: Jon Anik previews UFC 298 storylines, including Alexander Volkanovski’s possible featherweight exit

February 16, 2024

UFC 298 commentary team, broadcast plans set: Michael Bisping joins Jon Anik, Joe Rogan in booth

February 13, 2024

Jon Anik backs down on recent comments, issues apology to MMA fans

January 28, 2024

UFC commentator Jon Anik apologizes for criticizing MMA fanbase: ‘I made some regrettable comments’

January 27, 2024

Sean Strickland responds to Jon Anik’s frustration with MMA fans: ‘These people are the way you have a paycheck’

January 27, 2024

UFC commentator Jon Anik apologizes for criticizing MMA fan base: ‘I made some regrettable comments’

January 27, 2024

Sean Strickland ROASTS Jon Anik over leaving MMA comments

January 26, 2024

‘MMA fans as a whole suck’: Fighters defend, support Jon Anik after concerns about UFC future

January 26, 2024

Jon Anik contemplating leaving UFC over social media attacks: ‘I’ve had it’

January 25, 2024

Jon Anik likes chances of UFC 300 turnaround for Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis winner

January 19, 2024

UFC 297 commentary team, broadcast plans set: Dominick Cruz returns to PPV in place of Joe Rogan

January 16, 2024

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January 7, 2024

Jon Anik on the balance between line-crossing trash talk and ‘promotionally useful’ UFC fighter banter

January 7, 2024

Jon Anik: Conor McGregor’s UFC return at middleweight would have ‘no divisional relevance’

January 6, 2024

Jon Anik hopes Joe Rogan enters UFC Hall of Fame, ‘will fight like hell’ for Tony Ferguson

January 5, 2024
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