Dana White confirms UFC 207 is Mike Goldberg’s last event as commentator

LAS VEGAS – Friday’s UFC 207 marks the end of an era as longtime commentator Mike Goldberg will call his last event for the promotion.

UFC President Dana White today confirmed the news to reporters during a rare media scrum in support of the pay-per-view event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Multiple reports previously had indicated the change was imminent, with Goldberg stepping down. UFC officials did not immediately return requests for comment.

Goldberg’s replacement is not yet known, though White has previously hinted at changes to the UFC’s cageside lineup of commentators. In an interview with Sportsnet, he indicated longtime Goldberg sidekick Joe Rogan would continue on with the promotion, calling him “the greatest ever to call fights.” He did not mention Goldberg and added he was working on assembling a “dream team” of commentators.

A former hockey play-by-play announcer, Goldberg started with the UFC all the way back in 1997 when he called the action for “UFC Japan: Ultimate Japan.” His voice become a distinct part of the promotion’s highlight reels and commercials.

Over the years, however, the 52-year-old Ohio native has been a popular target of derision from UFC fans who mock his style and seize upon his every mistake.

In 2013, he was rumored to have entered rehab to treat an addiction to treat drug addiction, which he steadfastly denied.

One year later, Goldberg tried his hand at play-by-play duties for the NFL, calling a game between the Lions and the Vikings. The appearance was widely panned, and Goldberg never reprised the role.

Like he did with NFL fans, Goldberg has fired back at his critics online. Yet his flubs persisted. Earlier this month at UFC on FOX 22, he repeatedly mispronounced featherweight Mizuto Harota’s name.

Goldberg has not commented publicly on his imminent departure.

For more on UFC 207, check out the UFC Rumors section of MMAjunkie.