UFC
Kenny Florian joins Jon Anik as UFC's announcing "B" team for FX and Fuel TV events
Jan 16, 2012 - 10:20:25 PM Kenny Florian joins Jon Anik as UFC's announcing "B" team for FX and Fuel TV events

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

The UFC's new commentary team for FX and Fuel events is now in place, as MMAJunkie.com reports that Kenny Florian will join new UFC hire Jon Anik as the "B" team of UFC announcers beginning this Friday with UFC on FX 1.

Anik's spot as the new play-by-play voice on FX and Fuel TV events was revealed in October when his hiring was announced, and the UFC auditioned several names over the past few months, including Frank Mir, Rich Franklin, and Stephan Bonnar, for the color commentary spot.

The role has gone to Florian, who is no stranger to the broadcast booth. Florian co-hosted ESPN's MMA Live program with Anik for some time, and also co-hosts the new UFC Tonight program alongside Todd Harris on Fuel TV. The longtime UFC vet has also filled in on color commentary duties on several UFC and WEC events over the past few years, most recently filling in for Joe Rogan at UFC 134 in Brazil.

The transition to cageside may potentially become a permanent one, as Florian revealed last week that he had suffered a serious back injury while training that may force him to retire.

Penick's Analysis: I would have been fine with Mir in the role, and was interested about the prospects of Franklin filling in, but I like Florian in this spot. He's done a very good job when he's filled in, and I think he and Anik will make a great team for these FX and Fuel broadcasts. Anik's work during Bellator's first season was really, really good, and I can't wait to see what he does in that role in the UFC. That is another intriguing reason to tune in to Friday's debut card on FX as well.

[Kenny Florian art by Cory Gould (c) MMATorch.com]