UFC Announcers Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan: 10 Ideas for New Blood in the Booth

If you’re looking for a hatchet piece on UFC broadcasters Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan, keep looking.

These two take heat from time to time, but for my money they are still a rock-solid broadcasting tandem for the UFC.

That's not to say, of course, that, like everyone else, they don't have flaws.

Rogan can be a bit hyperactive and something of a cheerleader at times. Goldberg occasionally seems to have about as much background knowledge as he can glean from watching "Countdown" with the sound off. Goldberg also gets derision for his signature (some might say repetitive) catchphrases.

In addition, the two rarely if ever take stances against their employer. For example, on Sunday night’s UFC on Versus 4 event, the two started out the night by acknowledging the sudden and mysterious absence of Nate Marquardt, but never once delved deeply into the controversy or even mentioned that the UFC had released him (at least not that I can remember).

However, given that the UFC likes to keep a deep chokehold on its image and messaging, it would seem unlikely that this particular issue would change anytime soon, regardless of who's staffing the announcer’s booth.

It can be fun to pan these guys, but again, on the whole I think they are professionals, they are likable and they make a good team.

Nevertheless, they do every pay-per-view, free event and highlight show for the UFC. (Last night, Goldberg casually estimated that the pair have called 2,000 fights...who knows how accurate that is, but it does seem plausible.)

In other sports, there are multiple teams, or other guys in the booth or on the sidelines. Nothing wrong with new blood, after all. Here are 10 possible candidates to bring new life to UFC broadcasts. This list covers English-language broadcasts only.

Got an idea of your own? Feel free to share in the comments.

10. Chuck Liddell

One of the sport’s elder statesmen knows the game inside and out and is naturally funny and charismatic, though he doesn’t always have a terrible amount of articulate insights to share.

But hey, if it works for Magic Johnson, it can work for Liddell.

9. Sean Wheelock

Though primarily a soccer fan, Bellator’s play-by-play man brings a good balance of objectivity and excitability. His descriptions of the action are pithy and knowledgeable without making a big show of it.

8. Stephan Bonnar

Bonnar is a veteran not only of the Octagon but of ESPN's MMA Live and other programs.

Bonnar is a witty guy who doesn't mince words. (Need proof? Check out the footage of his hilarious bashing of Fedor Emelianenko here.)

That type of honesty would be a breath of fresh air for the UFC. If they would allow it.

7. Rashad Evans

While working on MMA Live, Evans sometimes seems focused more on being smooth and looking good than he is on helping the viewer understand his sport, but for the most part, he is a quote machine with a lot of knowledge and some well-formed opinions.

6. Randy Couture

Couture is the Teddy Roosevelt of the MMA world. He talks softly, but carries a big stick.

Though Couture is deeply knowledgeable about the game and about individual fighters and strategies, his mild, almost soothing delivery does not always blend seamlessly with a sport as frenetic and energetic as MMA can be.

Nevertheless, Couture (who has provided commentary for several UFC events in the past) brings instant gravitas and credibility to the sidelines.

5. Frank Mir

Another fighter with WEC analysis experience, Mir, despite his often arrogant behavior elsewhere, showed himself to be an affable and decidedly well-spoken personality behind the mic.

4. Don Frye

One of the funniest guys in MMA is a natural in the booth. He has previous experience as an analyst with the Shark Fights promotion and knows how to play his irascible, conservative-guy personality to the hilt.

And the best part is, I bet you could pay him in Cazadores.

3. Kenny Florian

Florian has experience as an analyst for the WEC and on ESPN’s MMA Live, and has proven himself to be a thoughtful and objective voice.

2. Forrest Griffin

Forrest Griffin never met a mic he didn't like. And if he doesn’t end up in a booth full-time after his fighting career, I will be shocked and disappointed.

As a best-selling author and one of the sport's most popular personalities, Griffin would bring his Lettermanesque, pithy-but-self-deprecating sense of humor and (I'm guessing) plenty of opinions to cageside.

T-1. Bas Rutten

Are you ready to hear a story? Good. Because Bas Rutten is ready to tell you one.

This guy was not only a great fighter (he is still regarded as one of the hardest hitters in history), but a funny and naturally likable person. He also has a million or two yarns from his days in MMA and as a bouncer (and imbiber) that are each worth hearing.

His analysis is also spot on, as evidenced by his long string of commentary work for promotions including Pride and on MMA-centric programs like HDNet's Inside MMA.

In short, he’s a natural, and a natural choice for the UFC booth.

T-1. Stephen Quadros, Pat Miletich, Mauro Ranallo

I'd never want to break up the Strikeforce announcing team in real life. So why should I do it in this slideshow?

This is a terrific team with terrific chemistry.

First, they don't call Quadros "The Fight Professor" for nothing. Strikeforce's play-by-play announcer is a journalistic Renaissance man, having formerly served as a radio host, magazine editor and play-by-play announcer with Pride.

Quadros takes an insightful and playful approach to MMA broadcasting. Among other notable quotables, he coined the phrase "lay and pray," now a common saying for a grappler who gains ground control but does not do much in the way of, you know, fighting, once that position is achieved.

Militech and Ranallo are the Siskel and Ebert of MMA, with the former a quieter and more conservative voice and Ranallo, well, less quiet and conservative.

All three are clearly knowledgeable and opinionated, and have perfected the intricate three-man wave of broadcasting banter.

With Zuffa's recent purchase of Strikeforce, perhaps it is not inconceivable that these three may be coming to an Octagon near you. Here's hoping.