UFC has reportedly hired itself a new commentator. WWE fans will know him well.
Ever since WME-IMG bought the UFC for a shade over $4bn there have been a host of changes.
A lot of familiar faces have moved on while the promotion has sought to freshen up its roster, staff and commentators.
UFC 207, on December 30, saw veteran commentator Mike Goldberg bow out. Having given the promotion nigh on 15 years of excellent service, there were many that took issue with the lack of a send-off for Goldberg.
The UFC has recruited a new face to sit in the commentary position outside the Octagon. The name will be recognisable to fans of WWE.
ESPN’s Brett Okamoto has broken the news that former Smackdown presenter Todd Grisham had been hired as a FOX Sport 1 studio host and a play-by-play commentator. The 40-year-old will start off with UFC Fight Night events but could yet step up to pay-per-view events.
Grisham began with the WWE by hosting smaller shows such as NXT and Heat. He was promoted to Smackdown duties in 2009. He has also hosted Major League Soccer broadcasts and joined ESPN in 2011.
Late in that same year, Grisham took over from John Anik as ESPN’s host of MMA Live.
His first UFC Fight Night event is set to be in Phoenix, Arizona on January 15 and features the headliner of Yair Rodriguez versus BJ Penn. Goldberg’s PPV replacement has yet to be confirmed by the UFC but Jim Rome has been heavily linked to the role.
