The in-house production and global distribution of the Ultimate Fighting Championship is, specifically within the sporting world, second to none.
But when there’s a last-minute change that no one saw coming, such as Arman Tsarukyan’s withdrawal 24 hours before UFC 311, how does the promotion keep that broadcast ball rolling?
Step up veteran combat sports commentator Jon Anik, who has revealed what happens behind the scenes at the UFC when such a dramatic last-minute alteration shakes things up.
Jon Anik explains the last-minute broadcast changes for UFC 311
By the time Dana White announced that Tsarukyan was out and that Renato Moicano was in, the UFC production team had already finalized video packages, audio descriptions, and various other aspects of the incoming PPV broadcast.
That left commentator Jon Anik in a tricky, but privileged spot; as he explained in a social media post, “I don’t have to re-write the PPV opener, I get the re-write the PPV opener, right?”
Speaking with MMA Junkie just a few hours earlier, Anik would acknowledge that whilst nothing surprises him anymore in the UFC, the last-minute change is “less than ideal” from a production POV.
“Nothing surprises me anymore though, we’re so conditioned to these circumstances and peeling back the curtain, I’ve got to go and re-voice the whole God damn show right now.
“UFC 311 has a different title so there’s a lot more work to be done now, we have to rebuild all of the formats so from a live television standpoint, it’s less than ideal.”
Anik represents one of the absolute best play-by-play commentators in the sports world and as a master of his craft, it didn’t take him long to pen a new narration for the PPV opener.
“We had to re-work it, or as Dominick Cruz would say, you get to re-work it, right? I don’t have to re-write the PPV opener, I get the re-write the PPV opener – anyway, here’s what we’ve got so far,” he stated on his X account.
“‘What does this title represent? It means that you are the best in the world and if you are the best in the world, it doesn’t matter who’s going to be standing across from you.
“That was lightweight champion Islam Makhachev’s response after learning yesterday that he will not be facing Tsarukyan tonight.
“’Instead, as Makhachev chases lightweight history, he faces a man who has stepped up on one day’s notice for an opportunity of a lifetime, a man who cannot afford to lose, Renato Moicano.’”
A consummate professional, Anik will undoubtedly set the stage for what should be an outstanding night of MMA action at UFC 311; regardless of who’s in there facing Islam Makhachev in the main event.
UFC coach reveals when Arman Tsarukyan’s injury started giving him trouble
The announcement that Arman Tsarukyan was out of his title fight less than a day before UFC 311 came as a shock; although his coach has now revealed that the issue started arising last Tuesday.
“It wasn’t too bad, and we just thought it was because it’s the end of camp and the body is feeling it a little bit,” he told MMA Junkie, adding “He took a few days off and he was fine.
“Everything was going great, the spasm and the pain was there, but he was powering through it, he never thought about not fighting, never.”
Unfortunately, as he continued to cut weight, the pain from back spasms got worse and worse and for someone who “doesn’t complain” about pain often, Tsarukyan’s team knew that they had to take action.
“He still wanted to fight and power through it, we started the weight cut and then a few sessions in, he couldn’t do it anymore… Unfortunately, [the doctor] made the decision that it was wise not to fight because he couldn’t even stand, he couldn’t even sit up.”
Bloody Elbow wishes Tsarukyan a speedy recovery – but the show must go on!
UFC 311: Makhachev vs Moicano goes down in just a few hours’ time, live from the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.