Mike Goldberg Talks About ‘Closure’ With Dana White After Departure - The MMA Hour

Mike Goldberg discusses the 25th anniversary of his first UFC event, how he got the call, the fight he remembers the most, what he said to Dana White during a recent run-in, what he’s up to now, the move to Bellator, remembering Anthony Johnson, and more.
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[@RobertIDK]

Mike is an absolute legend of the sport that deserves the respect of every UFC fan. So nice to see him on the show

[@craigparker4108]

@Zac Burns 🤡

[@tommygunnggg1127]

Agreed 💯

[@pathmilakushantha4158]

@Zac Burns Calm Down Champ!

[@DrSpaceman69]

@SilverTube wtf are you on dude 😂

[@ryanwilliams8805]

Mike seems like a great dude but he certainly wasn’t a good commentator, especially in comparison to Jon anik

[@_KaiRos-11]

Mike Goldberg seriously helped shaped the UFC in that era with his distinct gravely voice. Him and Joe were an iconic team!

[@AugustusConan]

He is absolutely interwoven into the DNA of the UFC. There's no modern UFC without Goldie

[@TayoBlis]

"Conor busting Nate up....which in Diaz world means-absolutly nothing" Mike Goldberg,Mcgregor vs Diaz 1

[@lasse9553]

poetry, concidering how that fight ended

[@robbiehowell8631]

Goldie says, "Fatigue should not be an issue for either fighter" and Connor gases out!

[@Womb2DaTomb]

"Oh my goodness! Combination!" I love his work in that fight, so many memorable lines.

[@michaelspoto8720]

Such a legend. Voice of the ufc for a lot of years. He belongs in the ufc hall of fame just as much as Buffer and Rogan

[@jayr3635]

I would argue more!

[@mateah83]

Goldie is like one's first car, of course you wouldn't take your first car to pick up your new date but it will always have a place in your heart.

[@michaelspoto8720]

@@mateah83 I understand your sentiments lol. Your first love doesn't always mean it's your best love

[@mateah83]

@@michaelspoto8720 Yeah, puppy love 😍🐶

[@Viralmoments2023]

Agreed

[@k1ng92]

Met Mike in the elevator of MGM Grand the day before UFC 148. My friend and I were both 20 and we awkwardly noticed but didn't want to say anything, but he graciously introduced himself and asked if we wanted to take a picture with him. A complete class act, friendly human, and happy to oblige some fans.

[@johnboylan3832]

Did he ask you to take your tops off and rub baby oil onto each other first?

[@CoolKid_50]

Man, I miss Goldie. He wasn’t always perfect on the mic, but the UFC events still aren’t the same without him. “And it’s all over!” Miss hearing that. Hope the UFC brings him back one day.

[@humansymbiote]

agreed

[@Cavalakz]

He wasn't perfect on the mic but that added to his charm. He was perfectly entertaining.

[@pathmilakushantha4158]

@@Cavalakz thats the idea isn't it?

[@_KaiRos-11]

I don’t think UFC would ever bring him back but it was hard to get used to him not being there.

[@stennilsen9584]

Nobody is perfect

[@beggsy69]

So glad you had Mike on, he absolutely holds up the whole period I got into UFC and MMA, always came across as such a lovely and good man, top choice having him on the show.

[@Gala_tha_Prince]

So true he was the man , great for the sport

[@Mark-oj8wj]

It wasn't until I heard him speak that I realised how much I miss that voice. So nostalgic,great interview!

[@AugustusConan]

Goldie is a legend! Love that he's still got the same energy he brought to the broadcast every time back in the day.

[@PunjabiPiccolo]

Mike deserves all of the respect and then some. His voice is iconic and will always be a part of my teenage years of watching the UFC. Good nostalgia

[@indicprince]

ਪਿਆਰ ਭਰੀ ਸੀਤ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ॥ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫ਼ਤਿਹ।

[@ETS186]

I remember Mike Goldberg's era. Joe would provide the technical knowledge and Mike would provide the stats and background story of the fighters. Perfect. Good times!

[@nolimit_4950]

I think that's the problem today. You got former fighters in commentary all on the technical side and they are biased because of training with the fighters they're watching.

[@Borgborg128]

@@nolimit_4950even Joe is biased now unfortunately

[@canopylive]

So much love for Mike. He was so quotable with his signature lines, my friends and I still find ourselves quoting him to this day.

[@Jizzle76]

And it is aallllll over!! Just. Like. That!

[@catalystv7520]

HERREEEEE WEEEEEE GO 5 rounds

[@roningamingandentertainmen716]

VIRTUALLY IDENTICAL 😂

[@quicoboy]

...if there is one thing I miss about the old UFC, it's this guy...he and Joe are the voices of my young adulthood...if I close my eyes, I can still hear him..."IT IS ALL OVER!!!"..."this is as good as it gets!"...que Dios te bendiga y te guarde, Goldie...

[@BlitzinMackGaming]

Here! We! Go! Just! Like! That!

[@smiley-qb3nt]

I miss Jeff blatnick before Dana bought it

[@CSNA_Gaming]

Imagine if Goldie was in the crowd at a UFC card and then they showed him on the big-screen. There'd be a big roar from the crowd undoubtedly.

[@theguvnor3880]

Anik has raised the bar so high but Goldbergs voice will always be synonymous with the old school UFC fights.

[@michaellaidler7143]

Anik just reads ad slogans. His actual analysis is almost zero. He has some nice lines every now and then but that's it. I don't need to hear him saying ads inbetween rounds, not that it's Aniks choice but why do people act like he is such a great commentator?

[@indigatorveritatis8891]

@@michaellaidler7143 Remember when there were no ads on the PPV's?

[@dave93x]

@@michaellaidler7143 don't pretend like Goldberg's analysis was good or plentiful......

[@heythere6983]

@dave93x It’s called being a color commentator.... That’s what rogans for, all the commentators are stiff, you need someone to have fun and mike was that guy

[@rossrenberg7281]

So glad he came on the show. A legend in UFC commentating. Nice to see him at peace towards everything. OG

[@hans_du_plessis]

I always felt like Mike had a great heart but holy cow does this interview ever confirm that

[@millieatr]

Mike is being humble talking about how great the guys are he has worked with ,,, but actually he is also one of the Greats

[@_KaiRos-11]

Yea there was some serious politics in that decision. He was a cornerstone of the UFC 4 real!

[@paddiosfscott5982]

Such a fan of Goldie, he was always a class act on the play by play. Let's hope the UFC honors him in their HoF circle of pioneers

[@foster4922]

Ariel has more of a chance of fighting in the ufc, than goldie getting recognized as an HOF

[@ItsNotShakespeare]

Can you tell me in three words or less why he got fired

[@justinprater3078]

This was my favorite interview the ufc did him dirty and he holds no grudges that's what it means to be a man

[@EclecticBuddha]

It's always best to let bygones be bygones until you're trusted enough to stick it back to the person who burned you. Maybe you'll never get an opportunity. If that's the case you look good anyways.

[@christiangjerpe2748]

Did him dirty?

[@justinprater3078]

@@christiangjerpe2748 just treated him bad

[@MrNuts70]

@@christiangjerpe2748 UFC did him VERY dirty

[@heythere6983]

He was there before joe and he should still be there today

[@barrykee8876]

Not the same without him. He was the fan with a microphone. Now it's just former fighters explaining what's going on and what needs to happen. As a fan he was a big part of the show. It would be nice to see him on some shows, maybe host the contender or something

[@ReinaldotheRepublican]

Tremendous call on the contender him and urijah Faber book it plzz

[@GAM3RSiLV3R]

Yeah not the same becuz its wayyyyy better now we can focus on the fight now & not hes random ramblings.

[@heythere6983]

He was awesome. Now? It’s like watching golf analysis

[@WardenOfTerra]

I still miss Mike alongside Joe. They were an iconic duo.

[@S.Turnock]

what a legend, I love the mix of commentators now, but I wish Goldie was in the rotation

[@1punch_man]

Mind blown that they didn't/haven't inducted him into the UFC Hall of Fame. The way they just booted the guy was ridiculous.

[@megamanxhunter]

Yes, I think he deserved a better send off

[@blood_n_guts_murphy]

Why was he booted? Too many little mistakes?

[@GAM3RSiLV3R]

It's was the golberg show not the ufc show every fight it was painful to watch.

[@limestar9751]

Hung out w/ Mike after a ufc event, shared some drinks. I can vouch that he’s truly a nice guy & a legend.

[@gavinrainey9399]

This man carries some real pain. I really think he is amazing and I hope he knows we all regard him as a legend.

[@Killuminati27]

Its so great to see the positivity and energy in Mike Goldberg in 2022. This guys voice is tied to so many good memories watching fights with good people over the years for me. Shout out to Goldy man

[@ChicoProductions2012]

Powerful interview and I hope we see Mike back in the UFC.

[@MP-cc5rv]

Very doubtful, but it would be great! Even if it's just one card with Rogan

[@gamebredo8880]

Stop it'..quit trying to be so goddamn emotional

[@juntjoonunya9216]

UFC don't deserve him

[@kmax7521]

His knowledge of MMA got worse over the years. why would they bring him back?

[@user-nt2nn2hw7z]

What a legend - never really understood why the UFC needed get rid of him so abruptly I’d love to see Joe Rogan invite him onto the JRE

[@kyle8027]

If you ask me.. Goldberg is without a doubt a part of the history of the UFC

[@Moises-kf1hg]

He's got a big heart. You'd never see Dana white get up there and become emotional about anyone. It's crazy because life kind of passes but seeing someone like him after all these years, it really makes you realize how long it's been and how fast life moves.

[@catchwreck928]

I know it was just yesterday i was sitting watching spike tv ufc marathons of this while pumping iron all while in high school. ahhhh good ole 2004- 2013

[@JoeyKhaos]

As much as I enjoy the commentary these days, nothing beats prime Goldy and Rogan for me.

[@EMAZINGERIK]

it would be a holy sh- moment for me if he ever did commentary for the UFC again and i hope it happens, i love Goldy

[@Subfightr]

I'm so glad to see this, I was just thinking about Mike and seeing what he's up to.

[@MrTickleBean]

Goldberg’s voice added a little extra excitement to big UFC events. I was sad to see him go.

[@BaguetteBot]

@29:17 And Just. Like. That. It is aaaaaall over. Thank you Mike for all these years, you'll forever be in my highlights!

[@millieatr]

I missed Mike when he left UFC ,,, also missed Dan Hardy when he left

[@GLOBAL-INTIFADA]

Same and same

[@Trohawkk]

STOP THE FIGHT

[@emmitttraynor8939]

@@Trohawkk 😂😂😂

[@dave93x]

I'm so glad Hardy got the sack. Can't stand the egomaniac.

[@MP-cc5rv]

Two of the best imo

[@williezer0]

what a great interview, i remember watching UFC with my father when i was a kid back when couture, liddell, matt hughes, etc were on the top, its a nice throwback to see Goldberg again, I didnt even know he was broadcasting in bellator! Happy anniversary Goldberg, youre one of the greats

[@brentonmckiterick4786]

Mike is actually such a lovely guy - a lot of people played him off against Joe as the guy lacking knowledge (in comparison and that's not his required role) but he was a part of the "meteoric rise" of the UFC and will be immortalized as such. Seeing him visibly emotional talking about Rumble... ugh 😢

[@andyunchained4393]

Joe got him fired. Facts, ask any fighter. I own a gym in Australia and I know Joe got him fired

[@mr.brenman2132]

​@@andyunchained4393No you don’t and you haven't asked any fighter anything.

[@andyunchained4393]

Come to my gym if you want. Do you know where Lakemba is in Sydney? First come to the Mosque to learn to be educated in Islam, Then you are more than welcome. Only Muslim fighters train at my gym.

[@brandons5479]

Bring Mike back to UFC. You can tell he wants to be back home with the organization he helped grow. I mean just the way he speaking with joy and long replies to the questions you can tell he misses this.

[@davidryan8238]

What a gentleman. Wow. Miss him so much from the UFC and his great commentary. It's great to see him doing so well and having such a positive take on life. Great interview.

[@slicomslam401]

I truly enjoyed Mike and Rogun announcing the UFC, they were a great team! I miss Mike he was a big part of the early days in the UFC BRING HIM BACK!

[@gstrainscoming9]

Who doesn’t remember that voice calling those legendary fights? Goldie is the man.

[@DRF1996]

Petition to bring back Goldy !

[@Shiggystardust]

He should be for ufc 300

[@oddgeir2330]

One of the original, iconic voices of the UFC. They made a huge mistake letting go of him.

[@mattdelora9601]

Big ups to the man we call Goldie! So many times since he left the UFC I've told friends and family how much i miss his commentary during fights and how he'd make me laugh my balls off. Sucha good dude! Bless up Goldie!

[@kkrollingskkrollings3173]

As a Fan who's been watching the UFC on a regular basis since tuf1 and on occasion a few years before then, Thank you Goldie for all the great work you put in for the UFC miss hearing your voice on the shows.

[@nomdeploom5707]

So good to see he's in good spirits. He's a humble legend & I even mentioned on Reddit last week or the week before on a live thread that every time the stats are similar, Virtually EYE! Dentical! always pops into my mind. Wish him the best.

[@MP-cc5rv]

The good old days

[@paleo704]

The best days

[@MP-cc5rv]

@@paleo704 Before socials got guys big fights

[@grudeman]

Mike you are a legend and a gentleman, thanks for so many great memories growing up watching UFC , you are the man, and definitely will be doing big things in 2023.☘️

[@jordanhess2061]

I will never forget some of Mike's commentary his commentary was unique and sometimes gave us humor that wasn't necessarily meant to happen but it was needed.

[@Okie1122]

Love this man! He will ALWAYS be a staple of so many great memories, idc what people say! “It is all over!” Is iconic! And it’s even more ice cold when he would yell JUST. LIKE. THAT. Respect 👊

[@magician234]

The sound bite to my mma fandom included Goldie. It's just not the same without him.

[@MrWise1888]

Such a shocker they let him go! Was the voice of the UFC more so than anyone else

[@drunkenmmamaster419]

Glad to see Goldie doing well after he left the UFC , he's an absolute legend I grew up listening to him and Joe in the ufc He's dearly missed and will always have a place in every mma fans heart from the early 2000s

[@DeepOwl1073]

Thank you for having Mike on. I've wondered what he's been doing. I really liked his commentary and I miss him in the UFC.

[@HarryMate95]

I still scream “JUST LIKE THAT!!” In some day to day interactions haha absolute legend mike Goldberg

[@AcrobaticAlien88]

Goldie needs to be in the ufc hall of fame. The voice of the UFC for so long, his dynamic with Rogan and his iconic catchphrases helped build the sport and defined a special generation in mma.

[@bestmemorylossmethod7010]

"And it is ALL Over!!!" Miss Goldy. Glad he is doing well.

[@watersandblue6001]

Mike Goldberg and Joe rogan on ufc commentary was like Bobby heenan and Gorrila moonson on wwf commentary. Iconic chemistry.

[@Kwaighzo]

When I first started watching, I never thought I’d grow to love Goldie. I was surprised by how much I missed him once he left. Glad to see he is doing so well.

[@Hyperslob]

It was great catching up with Mike. Thanks for setting that up Ariel/crew.

[@russellsidell]

Jon Anik is objectively better than Mike at the job imo, but whenever I hear Goldie yell "it's all over!" from an old UFC fight, I get goosebumps.

[@noelcaban6438]

We definitely miss mike man legend for real 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 AND HERE WE GO

[@RomanianAlphaDaddy]

Nice to hear from Goldie. Dude had some legendary calls. There were a few funny ones like "WANDERLEI SILVA BEATS WANDERLEI SILVA...BEATEN!!!" when he got KO'd by Leben in like 27 seconds but overall, he was great.

[@chuygonzalezzz]

Mike has always been a great play by play annoucer. UFC needs him back...#Bring him Back

[@Synthetic-Rabbit]

I'm not a Paulie fan but he is great when talking about fighting (edit: boxing) and he speaks about it well. I'm also a huge Goldie fan. He had a ton of mess-ups and gaffs on air but that always made him more endearing to me if I'm being honest.

[@drewwilson6639]

I think his gaffes were overblown quite a bit

[@jaymallo7859]

I absolutely love Jon Anik but Mike G is a UFC Hall of Famer.

[@DusTheDicc]

UFC has to get Mike back for at least UFC 300 to call the fights would be super sick, saddened when he left

[@ninjavibez4696]

Badass…. 👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽 love the idea for 300

[@dylanevans1901]

I miss Mike Goldberg very much the commentary team will never be the same without him and I love his famous catchphrase, it is all over

[@waderobinson4122]

Mike does the best Dana White impression I've ever heard. You can hear in his voice how much he emulated Dana

[@jarradstyles748]

Love to see him on joe’s podcast be such a nostalgic cast!

[@Mr-E.]

Great idea! They would have so much to talk about

[@Caligrapher88]

"and it is all over"!! It's just as legendary as "it's time"!

[@willkummer2639]

Rogan and Goldberg and Bas and Runello, best tag team announcers in MMA history

[@chopperenduro6590]

100% agree

[@62sicks]

💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@wesleypipes5673]

I still miss Mike Goldberg every single PPV

[@jaggedj2510]

This was a great interview.

[@STARxPLATINUM93]

Shout out to Mike. I got into watching UFC fights 2010 and didn’t care for him at first but he’s grown on me just like many of you and is a total class act. Great human and hope for the best for him

[@jeffreyprado9030]

Damn! I miss mike's voice and good to see him. Thanks man!

[@bigbrytunney8753]

Good to hear from Goldy, he will always be a legend for the work he did when UFC was growing it's brand. Wasn't always smooth sailing, but his voice is synonymous with old-school UFC. Seems like a guy whose very serene in life, that's wonderful!

[@dannyg2197]

I miss Goldie so much man, he was awesome. I still don't understand why they didn't give him the Joe Rogan treatment and just put him on PPVs

[@AnGhaeilge]

I met Mike at UFC 72. Two things I remember, florescent white teeth and he was super friendly. Was sad to see UFC get rid of him without even a mention to his contributions to the company for so long. It was very weird to hear fights called without his voice.

[@muhammadwahyuhidayat21498]

Bring the Mike Goldberg back in UFC And Bellator as lead commentary,make it better.

[@pepparmostheelder]

God noes. Mike was not a good commentator. He wasnt horrible or anything but Anik is certainly higher quality

[@dave93x]

Goldberg is a relic of the time. I was shocked when he was let go, but as time has gone on I've come to understand it. It was the right move by Dana and co.

[@LockedInWithLovebirds]

Been watching the early UFC fights the past week. Such a different sport today. Not sure which I like more. I understand the old school way wasnt sustainable, fighters getting hurt, cant get sanctioned, ect but it was raw af. Great interview.

[@murphymary1015]

There isn't any doubt his voice has earned him a hof membership one day. For me, his voice went perfectly together with that music ufc played during those tale of the tape pre fight moments I first heard him on a movie Here Comes The Boom, he called so many classics, apparently he would show his inexperience in mma at times but anyway. Here We Go!....And It Is All Over...Just, Like, That!

[@davidkershaw5379]

Goldey is the best loved all the shows he did. All the best mate.

[@Rahooligan86]

damn i miss Goldie!

[@kkrollingskkrollings3173]

Thank you Ariel Freaking awesome of you to think of Goldie on this Speacial day and get him on the show.

[@JangoMike]

Virtually Identical. . .

[@millieatr]

There you go 👍

[@abemartinez9623]

IT IS ALLLLLL OVER!!!!

[@dickmonddickelheimer9452]

The little eagle soars again

[@JGB1990]

Been a fan since 2008 when I was in high school. I knew I was going to enjoy this interview, but I didn’t know I was going to enjoy it this much.

[@theoutlaw486]

Pure class. What a legend. Thanks Mike.

[@OldMaverRick]

Had the pleasure of meeting Goldy with Buffer in Sydney. Absolute legend! Super nice guy who took the time to have a great conversation with a couple of Australian fanboys. Miss his commentary with Joe.

[@da9nerdy]

Really enjoyed this interview

[@devinsilva2102]

“Todays tale of the tape!” -Operah music starts playing 😂😂 mike goldberg legend

[@_zaldivar2590]

Goldy and Joe are the Bert and Ernie of MMA. Loved their chemistry and miss it today.

[@penultimate8643]

Mike will always be the voice of the UFC I grew up with. I would love to hear him call a card again.

[@jayr3635]

Dana has made some great moves, no doubt about it.. with that being said one of if not his biggest mistakes is letting Goldie go! Another big mistake is his beef with ariel. That one is a bit different, but letting Goldie go was a huge mistake!

[@JanoyCresva]

We got anik who’s way better

[@DC-jt9py]

@@JanoyCresva LOL no he's not

[@JanoyCresva]

@@DC-jt9py Anik is better in EVERY way. Ask anyone who knows anything about commentating sports and they would agree. Anik is a hall of famer. Anik can work with anyone and be elite. Goldie needed Joe. You heard Goldie commentate the ONE football game then got fired? Rogan was Goldie's crutch. I loved the guy but Anik is GSP and Goldie is Jorge Masvidal. Two different classes.

[@DC-jt9py]

@Janoy Cresva 😄😄😄 Love triggering people with low level comments. People are so easily butt hurt.

[@BrushworkNL]

I wasnt mad they let him go but how the UFC handled it and treated him at the end was dirty and not right

[@billystanton8037]

Looking good, is Mike Goldberg. Awesome to see him. Those days feel like a lifetime ago.

[@jamescourt5201]

I've actually thought of Goldie a few times over the last few months Glad he's doing well.

[@mikehush8828]

Mike G…. Was the UFC.. VOICE..And don’t ever forget it.. literally..!!💪🏼💪🏼..!!

[@gj62]

I don't think I've ever clicked on a video faster than this one. Here. We. Go.

[@demonx3432]

Ariel was probably disappointed when Goldberg said he felt like thanking Dana 😂

[@Gratefulfellow]

Yeah to Ariel everyone should be hating Dana.