5 Interesting facts about former UFC announcer Mike Goldberg

Mike Goldberg has been a longtime announcer for combat sports. He joined the UFC as their new play-by-play announcer back in 1997 at UFC Japan.

Goldberg called UFC events with Joe Rogan for 20-years and became the soundtrack of the promotion. The duo of Goldie and Rogan called some of the biggest and most important fights in UFC history. He was part of the promotion’s early years, their move to Spike TV and their mainstream move to FOX.

Goldberg brought his passion and enthusiasm to every broadcast. His multiple catchphrases such as “It is all over!" and "Just like that!” became a popular staple of a growing promotion.

Fights Goldberg called include Chuck Liddell vs. Tito Ortiz, Ronda Rousey vs. Holly Holm, and Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen. After his UFC departure, Goldberg joined Bellator MMA and served as their new play-by-play announcer.

Goldberg made his Bellator debut at Bellator 180, which took place at Madison Square Garden. Prior to their move to Showtime, Bellator parted ways with Goldberg, who has since moved on to new ventures. This list will look at 5 interesting facts about former voice of the UFC Mike Goldberg.

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#5. Mike Goldberg is a bare-knuckle boxing announcer

Kicking off this list of interesting facts about former UFC announcer Mike Goldberg is that he is now a bare-knuckle boxing announcer. Goldberg can be heard doing play-by-play for bare-knuckle promotion BYB Extreme. The promotion is based in Miami, Florida and is co-founded by Dhafir Harris, AKA Dada 5000.

BYB Extreme is unique as the fights are contested in a triangular ring called the trigon. The trigon is a unique concept because a smaller area forces action since there’s not much room to move around.

In addition to Goldberg, BYB Extreme’s broadcast team also includes Dave Ryan, Benny Ricardo, and Paulie Malignaggi. BYB Extreme’s broadcast team helps legitimize the product, which is positive because it helps them stand-out in the bare-knuckle marketplace.

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#4. Mike Goldberg loves hockey

Another interesting fact about Mike Goldberg is that he loves hockey. If there’s one sport the former voice of the UFC loves just as much, if not more than MMA, it’s hockey. Goldberg began playing ice hockey at 6 years old and continued playing through college, where he represented Miami University.

Goldberg has coached his son’s hockey teams in the past and continues playing in men’s recreational leagues. He has credited his hockey background for shaping him into being a team player and working well with others.

“I’m a hockey player, plain and simple that’s my DNA. I live by the locker-room code. I believe humbly that that’s why I’m a good team-player,” Mike Goldberg told VIBE 105.5FM Toronto

Although he resides in Arizona, his favorite hockey team is the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Goldberg has become close with many players over the years and continues supporting the Sharks.

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#3. Mike Goldberg has done play-by-play for National Hockey League (NHL) games

Another interesting fact about Mike Goldberg is that he has done play-by-play for NHL games. Prior to joining the UFC, Goldberg was calling NHL games for ESPN Hockey. The NHL is the top professional hockey league in the world and Goldberg has called over 900 NHL games. The 57-year-old even called both for a number of years.

Goldberg must’ve felt right at home when he was calling UFC bouts as both sports share a similar trait – fighting. The NHL allows fighting, however, players who do so, serve a 5-minute penalty in the penalty box.

Goldberg has called many memorable NHL moments during his career. In 1997, Goldberg was doing play-by-play when the infamous brawl broke out between the Detroit Red Wings and the Colorado Avalanche. Fans at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit were amped up, especially when goaltenders Patrick Roy and Mike Vernon fought.

#2. Mike Goldberg was offered an announcer's job with WWE

Another interesting fact about Mike Goldberg is that he was offered an announcer's job with WWE and was close to accepting it.

In 2005, Goldberg received a three-year contract to replace Jim Ross as the voice of their flagship show WWE RAW. Goldberg would have been busier had he accepted the deal because he would have been calling RAW weekly and during pay-per-view events.

After Joe Rogan spoke with UFC President Dana White and then-CEO Lorenzo Fertitta, they began negotiating with Goldberg. The UFC ended up offering Goldberg a new contract - with a signing bonus - to remain with the promotion.

“It ended up being the right decision. I didn’t want to leave my family and we were just at that point where we were about to make it in the UFC,” Mike Goldberg to Parker’s MMA Show (Ep. 77)

Goldberg accepted the offer and continued calling fights with Rogan for another 12-years. Staying with the UFC ultimately ended up working out well for all involved.

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#1. Mike Goldberg was a sideline reporter for Chicago Bulls games

Topping this list of interesting facts about Mike Goldberg is that he was a sideline reporter for Chicago Bulls games. What makes this so fascinating is that Goldberg witnessed the Bulls’ championship seasons from the sidelines. The Bulls were led by Michael Jordan, who's widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all-time.

Goldberg witnessed the rise of the Bulls, from championship contenders to NBA dynasty. The behind-the-scenes of the Bulls’ 6 NBA championships can be seen in the ESPN and Netflix-produced series 'The Last Dance.'

While serving as a sideline reporter, Goldberg had a great rapport with Bulls star players Scottie Pippen, Ron Harper, and Jordan himself.

“It was the best because few people in this world have the presence of Michael Jeffrey Jordan. And, I got to witness his greatness, his class, and his presence for six-years,” Mike Goldberg to VIBE 105.5FM Toronto