A “Tribute” to Mike Goldberg

UFC 100 is just a few days away. It is a truly monumental achievement for the MMA organization that started off with so much criticism and had plenty of public outcry. I’ve been watching UFC for 5-6 years but the last 2-3 years I’ve been watching intently and I think it’s superior to boxing as far as combat. I’m pretty much hooked on watching UFC and WEC and wish the best for this Saturday’s big event.

But we aren’t here to talk about that.

The date was December 21st, 1997.

UFC Japan was not only the first UFC event to be held outside of the USA, but it was the debut of the man on the left side of the picture, Mike Goldberg, the play-by-play man you’ve come to know and sorta tolerate. The days of Bruce Beck were over, and the era of the hyper, over-the-top voice of the Octagon had begun.

From that point on Goldberg has been ringside for nearly every UFC event. I for one, salute Mr. Goldberg for his hard work and extensive knowledge of a highly complicated sport.

Without his expertise and inside information I would have never heard of the likes of Carl Uno and Diego Alves. During UFC 84 when Wanderlei “The Axe Murderer” Silva knocked out Keith Jardine, the knowledge-drunk Goldberg pulled out the obvious fact that “The Iceman” was back to his winning ways, and apparently Wanderlei had just changed his nickname. Jens “Lil’ Evil” Pulver? Pssh, Goldberg knows it’s “Lil’ Eagle” as evidenced in Jens’ bout against John Lewis.

Goldberg’s pretend mastery of the English language is incomparable. I never get tired of hearing you say “30 seconds remains” for every fight (assuming it actually gets to 30 seconds). I’m fully aware of how precise Anderson Silva’s precision is. It was surprising to me when I found out in UFC 62 that “dislike” was an adjective! And name me another announcer in MMA today that talks about two pound REACH advantages?

It’s quite clear that Goldie also has a firm grasp of basic analogies, similes, and metaphors. I mean, who can beat “Tito Ortiz taking a book out of Chuck Liddell’s chapter”? Stroke of genius!

I personally believe Joe Rogan feels completely inferior to Goldie to the point where he needlessly corrects him, like the time when Goldberg stated that Quinton “Rampage” Jackson’s KO punch of Wanderlei Silva was the same one used to KO Chuck Liddell, and Rogan rudely said it was not the case. Okay so Rogan was right but Goldberg knows what he’s talking about!

Perhaps the best part of Goldberg’s announcing style is his signature call, which for the last several years has yet to change. No matter the reason, circumstance, or style, as long as it ends in a TKO or submission, Goldberg always yells out “AND IT IS ALL OVER!!!!!!!! [FIGHTER A] HAS [VERB] [FIGHTER B]!!!”

Of course it does change up when it is a title fight, then you’ll get “AND IT IS ALL OVER!!!!!!!! [FIGHTER A] IS THE UFC [WEIGHT CLASS] CHAMPION!!!!”

Sometimes he’ll say it’s all over TWICE just in case you weren’t paying attention.

I haven’t even mentioned his determination to finish reading off his cue card while there is something major occurring in the ring (see Randy Couture vs. Tim Sylvia in UFC 68). That’s a true corporate man for you. Forget about the knockdown that wrongly interrupted your movie promo ordeal, you finish that sucker no matter what!!!

Nearly 12 years of Mark Goldman, and it can only get more better as the years surge ahead forward.

Thank you for your solid service, Bill Goldberg.