Dana White confirms long-time UFC commentator will bow out after UFC 207

This week's UFC 207 event in Nevada will be Mike Goldberg's last as a commentator, the promotion's president Dana White has confirmed.

Goldberg, who has called the play-by-play action since December 1997, will bow out after commentating on Amanda Nunes' women's bantamweight title defence against Ronda Rousey - the headline bout on Friday's Nevada card. White had earlier hinted about putting together a commentary "dream team" without 'Goldie', and now he has confirmed that the 52-year-old will move on to pastures new. White told Fox Sports that he expects a permanent replacement for Goldberg to be in place by July next year, while colour commentator Joe Rogan is expected to stay put. "I've had a plan for a couple years now that I've been waiting for it to play out and it’s now playing out," he said. When asked about Goldberg's future, he admitted the rumours of the UFC mainstay's exit were true but said:

"When these kind of things happen I'd rather not talk about it. If Mike wants to talk about it, ask Mike."

With the cat now well and truly out of the bag, fight fans may well be waiting with bated breath to see if there is a special farewell message during his final broadcast. One thing's for sure, UFC without the voice of Mike Goldberg will take some getting used to.