UFC commentator Mike Goldberg to leave the promotion after UFC 207

Mike Goldberg (Bleacher Report)

It looks like the new age of the UFC won’t include a fan favorite.

During yesterday’s media scrum UFC President Dana White announced that UFC play-by-play commentator Mike Goldberg’s final broadcast for the promotion will be at UFC 207 this Friday. Goldberg has been with the UFC since UFC 15.5: Ultimate Japan in 1997. Alongside Joe Rogan, he has called historical moments for the promotion and has been considered “the voice” of the UFC by fans.

Kristine Haugsjaa and I have discussed the possibility of Goldberg leaving on The Main Event. With WME | IMG set to become the new UFC owners, there were rumors of big changes coming to the promotion. Several talent have already been laid off around the world, and not even promotion regulars were safe. It is unknown who will replace Goldberg at the commentary table, but the hope is its someone with knowledge of MMA and someone who’s worked with the UFC. MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani put someone’s name into the hat:

httpss://twitter.com/arielhelwani/status/814229039476936705

That wouldn’t be a bad choice at all. The fear Kristine and I have is if someone from the entertainment business gets brought in (someone like Ryan Seacrest or the man himself). With time until UFC 208, the company will have a big decision to make.

Good luck to Mike Goldberg in whatever he ends up doing, and thank you for all that you have done while with the UFC.