UFC's Jon Anik Walks Back Criticism of MMA Fans: 'I Need to Be More Responsible'
UFC Commentator Jon Anik is looking to move forward following his comments directed at fans after UFC 297.
The main card of the fight was a tight bout between Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis that Du Plessis won by split decision.
Fans of Strickland took to social media to bash the decision and subsequently accused Anik of being biased. He later made comments on the Anik and Florian podcast that expressed his displeasure at the accusations and he even referred to some fans as "the lowest common denominator."
That specific comment drew significant backlash, and Strickland even weighed in and defended the passionate fans. Subsequently, Anik took to Instagram to address the situation and apologize.
"Last week on my podcast, I was in a heightened emotional state following myriad allegations of bias at UFC 297 and I made some regrettable comments relating to the MMA fan base," Anik wrote on Instagram. "While I was surprised at the extent to which my comments were re-purposed and sensationalized, I need to be more responsible on an open microphone."
"So much work goes into the execution of just one UFC pay-per-view, so it can be tough when my integrity on the broadcast is called into question. That doesn't excuse my retort. I am just a fiery, passionate, flawed, empathetic guy and sometimes my emotions lead the dance. To those MMA fans whom I've offended, I am sorry. That was not my intention. For 12 years, I've prided myself on being accessible to the fan base, and that will continue. I've learned a lot over the last 48 hours. On to Anaheim…"
Anik has been a commentator for UFC since 2012. He will be back on the broadcast on February 17 in Anaheim for UFC 298. The main card for that event will be a featherweight bout between Alexander Volkanovski and Ilia Topuria.
