Advertisement

GIF Parade: Working through a range of feelings when you hear Jimmy Smith on a UFC broadcast

You didn’t turn on the wrong channel. You didn’t enter an alternate universe. Your brain is not reeling from too much MMA. That really is commentator Jimmy Smith on the mic for UFC 221 tonight from Perth, Australia.

The longtime Bellator color commentator parted ways with his former employer late last year, at which point he was quickly picked up by the UFC.

But if you’re the kind of MMA diehard who’s watched broadcasts from both promotions these last few years, this is where you start to feel like your wires are getting crossed. To borrow a phrase from some UFC theme music, you might need a minute to yourself.

First, it’s that voice. It’s so familiar …

But wait, it’s not Friday night. And you’re not watching (the now deceased) Spike TV.

But hey, who cares, right? Smith is actually a really good commentator, full of useful insights and with a calm, direct delivery that adds a lot to a broadcast.

Actually, wait, is Smith going to be the new Joe Rogan? Are he and Jon Anik the UFC’s new dream team commentating duo? Should you go ahead and subscribe to the Jimmy Smith Experience Podcast? OK, now we’re getting a little ahead of ourselves.

Still, this is a real change for the better. Smith already seems like a good addition to the UFC, even there’s still some part of the old brain that hears his voice and immediately expects to see a fight featuring one of the “Pitbull” brothers followed immediately by a Dave & Buster’s commercial.

We’ll get used to it. It’s just going to take some time. That and probably a lot of prelims.

For complete coverage of UFC 221, check out the UFC Events section of the site.

The Blue Corner is MMA Junkie's blog space. If you come complaining to us that something you read here is not hard-hitting news, that's on you.

Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with fans of mixed martial arts.

More Blue Corner