Jon Anik’s 209 Tattoo
It’s unusual that a UFC commentator would have a vested interest in the outcome of a fight, but such was the case when Jon Anik watched Nate Diaz classic fight with Conor McGregor at UFC 196.
Anik was so confident that the late replacement Diaz was going to lose that he vowed on his podcast with Kenny Florian that he’d get a ‘209’ (area code for Stockton) tattoo if he won.
Of course Anik would live to regret opening his mouth when Diaz then went on to defeat McGregor by submission, and then demanded that he stay true to his word.
“Jon Anik better get a f—ing 209 tattoo or I’m going to whoop his little ass,” Diaz warned at the post-fight presser.
Anik did go ahead with it, getting the tattoo on his arm, and revealed afterwards that he was happy to have it.
“Ultimately, at the root of it, this was just a fun bit for our podcast and a potential way for me to honor guys who have been at or near the top of my list of favorite fighters for years,” Anik said. “I have loved Nick Diaz since I started watching MMA. That was part of the impetus behind the tattoo bet, that if Conor McGregor did lose, I’d have no problem branding myself forever with that 209. So, it’s been a little bit crazy at times, certainly for my wife. But all is well that ends well.”
