UFC 221 broadcasting teams set; ex-champ Fabricio Werdum back on mic

The broadcasting teams are set for this weekend’s UFC 221 event, FOX Sports officials today confirmed with MMAjunkie.

UFC 221 takes place Sunday (but airs live in North America on Saturday due to the time difference) at Perth Arena in Perth, Western Australia. The main card, including a Luke Rockhold (16-3 MMA, 6-2 UFC) vs. Yoel Romero (12-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC) interim middleweight title fight and headliner, airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass.

As previously announced, former longtime Bellator broadcaster Jimmy Smith will make his color-commentary debut at the event. Smith, who recently had FOX Sports desk/hosting duties for UFC 220, now joins the cageside commentary table with play-by-play man Jon Anik for UFC 221.

Additionally, former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum, who was removed from commentating duties after criticizing UFC sponsor Reebok in 2016, is back on the call for the Spanish-language broadcast.

Werdum joins UFC vet Santiago Ponzinibbio and Victor Davila on FOX Deportes.

Manning the FOX Sports desk are Karyn Bryant, UFC welterweight champ Tyron Woodley and retired UFC fighter/broadcasting vet Kenny Florian.

Additionally, Megan Olivi is on site to conduct interviews for FOX Sports’ coverage, which includes UFC 221-themed “UFC Tonight” episode (Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on FS2), a weigh-in show (Friday at 9:30 p.m. ET on FS1), a pre-fight show (Saturday at 7 p.m. ET on FS1) and a post-event show (Sunday at 1 a.m. ET on FS1).

For more on UFC 221, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.